CS17 vs Lapwing 16

[jshaley]

The CS 17 is a tough little boat with a proven racee record. The Lapwing is a new design, and for me, more appealing to the eye. Do you think it is as tough as the CS 17 though? I know the CS 17 has been compared to the BayRiver Skiff and is the tougher boat. I am not sure where the Lapwing fits in.

JH

[John Turpin]

I've not yet sailed my Lapwing, but it's a light boat.  I'd rather bash a CS17 into a rock than a Lapwing.  That being said, one can certainly strengthen a Lapwing (at the cost of additional weight).  For example, I chose to glass my garboards and the forward portion of the strakes.  I also added a stainless steel keel band that runs from stemhead to stern.  Once I accidentally smash Blue Peter into a few tree stumps, maybe I can shed more light on her toughness.  I have a natural talent for hurting boats.

[PAR]

John it was once common to use a rub strip on the lap of the first broad strake, as well as the centerline on lap strake boats. This is the place it will be dragged when it runs aground or is pulled up a shell covered beach.

[Tom Lathrop]

JH,

I'm not sure what you mean by "tough".  Probably not what I mean by that term. 

If you mean surviving bashing into stuff and things, the BRS15 or 17 is far the tougher boat of the three.  Since Lapwing's bow is formed of overlapped 6mm ply it is probably tougher than the CS 17 which has a single layer of 6mm in the bow.  None of these boats are meant for ramming into things but the BRS is much more capable of surviving the impact that the others.  The bottom is usually 9mm, extending all the way to the bow which has a heavy blunt stem timber.

If you mean ability to handle rougher water, the CS15 and Lapwing should be about equal while the CS17, being larger, should be more capable in that condition.  In all cases, seamanship is more important than specific differences between these boats.  Just look at where my old BRS15 LOON has gone and what it has done in some very trying conditions and it is the least big water friendly of all of them.

Don't over analyze this stuff.  Get the boat that appeals to you more and be happy.  All are tried and tested designs.

[jshaley]

Oops. By "tough" I meant coastal cruiser vs lakes and bays. I see that  the Bay River skiff - is just that meant more for protected waterways. Where the CS17 and its brethren are up to the Everglades Challenge. I find the lap strake look appealing but the hull shapes are different.

As for the boat I truly want Carla is sending study plans of the OBX 20. But that is a lot of boat. When I read the details and speed of the CS 17 I started to stray a bit.

[Tom Lathrop]

Oops. By "tough" I meant coastal cruiser vs lakes and bays. I see that  the Bay River skiff - is just that meant more for protected waterways. Where the CS17 and its brethren are up to the Everglades Challenge. I find the lap strake look appealing but the hull shapes are different.

As for the boat I truly want Carla is sending study plans of the OBX 20. But that is a lot of boat. When I read the details and speed of the CS 17 I started to stray a bit.

Survivability of the boat and crew is not at stake in any of these boats when well handled.  Both CS and Lapwing in equal LOA are easier on the crew because of a higher sheer, greater volume and a dryer hullform when sailing.  The BRS is a great combination of power utility, work boat, fishing boat as well as sailing and rowing.  Neither the CS nor Lapwing will handle the utility, work and power part nearly as well as the BRS.  It depends on the use the boat is intended for that will determine which is the better boat.   In my opinion, the BRS is better as a sailboat than the CS or Lapwing is as a work and powerboat.

Hull shape of CS and Lapwing is dictated by construction method and personal choice.  Hull shape of the BRS is greatly influenced by the need to handle more power and still sail well.