CS 17 Kit

[fstauss]

I am interested in building a CS 17. I have heard through this site that there is a kit available. I have been unable to obtain information about the kit. Could someone advise on the cost of the kit and what exactly in included? Also if there is a certain site to look at please advise. Thanks very much.

[Bob W]

I would like the same information.

Thanks.

[bfeller]

You will likely have to contact B&B Yacht Designs directly for an answer.  Their access to the the Forum has been hindered by repeated lightning strikes.  This is their contact information:

B&B Yacht Designs

196 Elm St.,

Vandemere, N.C. 28587-0206 USA

Phone: 252-745-4793

Order line: 877-288-0941 USA only

[Ken_Potts]

  Although the CS17 plans have been available for a long time the kits are new.  I think Graham is following the first few builds carefully to make sure there aren't any issues.  I'd be surprised if there are any issues, though.  Graham strikes me as a very thorough person.

  That's just my thoughts on the matter though - For the real details give Graham and Carla a call.

  And keep us updated on your projects 

[SUKIE]

To "fstauss" and Bob,

I purchased one of the first CS17 kits, hull #218, delivered in April I believe. It is a beautifully designed boat, and the construction process made far simpler by using the kit. All the plywood parts are cut by CNC machine, so they are virtually perfect. In addition, the long pieces of the hull have the scarf joints cut with small steps so alignment is a snap, and the famous "butterfy" joint is made even easier by the puzzle like cutouts that fit together perfectly. I've built a small kayak using plans and cutting out the pieces from patterns, but I spent many hours getting the panels laid out and cut, and even then there were deviations from the plan measurements. I just didn't want to take that chance with such a big boat, more expensive and more at stake when mistakes are made. Well, I still make mistakes, for sure, but at least the hull is fair and true. I just want to point out that, although I'm a huge advocate of the kit, I would recommend picking it up yourself if possible, because the shipping expense was substantial for me (in New Hampshire).

Good luck, and happy sailing!

[Charlie Jones]

We've both read enough posts from people trying to locate the materials to build WITH, that the savings in that alone would probably make the kit worthwhile. You don't have to chase all over the place trying to locate, then purchase the plywood. Plus you KNOW you are getting proper, quality materials.

I think even without having seen a kit, that I would agree on the coamings.

[Tom Lathrop]

There is an interesting addition coming to these kits.  Graham brought over a new drawing a couple days ago of the locker hatches.  We have been making these locally over a mold with fiberglass but this represents quite a bit of work and is not too practical for an individual to do.  The hatch parts will all be CNC cut and available with the kit.  A waterproof self-draining hatch is not the easiest thing to build and this will greatly simplify having them on your boat.

[Dale Niemann]

Having built my CS17 Lively from scratch, I would definitely recommend purchase of the kit for the reasons Ray, Charlie and Tom have mentioned.  I think Charlie hit it on the head.  It is unbelievable how much time I spent trying to get all the wood, parts, masts, etc, so anything Graham can include in the kit will save considerable time.  I built a Pygmy Coho kayak by kit and it was just unbelievable how precise the CNC can cut parts which fit together perfectly.

I would certainly encourage Graham to include as much as possible in the kits, such as mast tubes, hardware, sails, basically everything.  I think this would best be done by various optional packages both for money and time reasons.

I would also second Charlie and Ray on recommending the builder do the combing themselves.  I did mine based on Ray's very detailed and excellent explanation he gave here on how to measure and cut it.  Also, I did not originally increase the thickness on top and was sorry.  I have just recently done that however, primarily due to the fact that my canvas cabin needed a thicker combing to attach the snap fasteners.

Glad to hear Graham is including locker hatches.  Constructing them was a very frustrating and time consuming task.

I am really looking forward to a Lapwing kit.  Can't wait.

Dale

[Tom Lathrop]

Sorry Dale,

I expect that Graham will find that his labor in making mast tubes is way too much for builders to afford.  I put some info on the Lapwing thread that greatly improves the ease and speed of building a mast tube.

As an example of this kind of work, I molded two fiberglass hatch interior parts for one of my powerboats (a Bluejacket 27) and took them to the builder.  He asked me how much I charged for them and I said that they were free.  No one would pay me enough to make it worthwhile to build them for sale, so I just gave them to him.  I will only do that once.  Takes way too much time to build such a molded fiberglass part to make it a business.  If you are set up for multi-part production and hire cheap labor it would be different.  This is the reason Graham is including the wooden hatch parts in the CNC kit.

Photos of these hatch parts are below.  Molding a mast tube is a little easier but the same conclusion holds.