Core Sound 20 Mark 3 Build - Chesapeake, VA

[Don Silsbe]

@AmosSwogger— I just noticed that beautiful box you added to your cockpit.  A brilliant idea.  How did you cut the inside radius— a diagonal cut on a table saw?  

[PadrePoint]

Amos, keep posting stuff about your sailing adventures.

[AmosSwogger]

14 hours ago, Don Silsbe said:

@AmosSwogger— I just noticed that beautiful box you added to your cockpit.  A brilliant idea.  How did you cut the inside radius— a diagonal cut on a table saw?  

 

Thanks Don, I used a bandsaw.

[Chick Ludwig]

On 4/27/2022 at 8:40 AM, AmosSwogger said:

 

Thanks Don, I used a bandsaw.

And ya still have all your fingers?!

[AmosSwogger]

The 20.3 isn't a fishing boat, but it sure is great for fishing.  Sailing speeds are good trolling speeds.  Eton caught a bluefish trolling in the Pamlico River which we ate for dinner.

 

We put in at Potters Marina  which is a great place to launch; $5 ramp fee gives you access to a bathroom and shower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Don Silsbe]

So, you just sail along, dragging a Rappala behind?

[AmosSwogger]

Yep, Bluefish are an aggressive fish, easy to catch, caught several trolling.  They aren't the best tasting fish fried, but smoked is a different story.  

 

I also caught my anchor line fishing, but it didn't taste good no matter how I cooked it.

[R Johnson]

It is an awesome river to cruise.  Sounds like a great trip.!

[AmosSwogger]

Got the ballast pump installed (still have some cosmetic work left).  It works great; tested it in the driveway by filling up the ballast tank with a hose and then discharging it into the centerboard trunk using the pump.  It even creates a whirlpool in the ballast tank when sucking out the water.

 

Thank you Paul and Alan for the idea.

 

Made a cover for the switch to keep rain off it and prevent it from being bumped.

 

The switch and the valves can be reached without leaving the helm (except taking the ballast tank hatch off to let air in/out). 

 

For anyone considering this, this was a fairly difficult mod (just because of the tight space and access when installing the pipes through the ballast tank and centerboard well).  If you are building new and think you might ever do this mod, do it before you seal up the ballast tank and install the cockpit seats.  Like I stated earlier, if you don't want the complication,  this is absolutely not necessary, the Anderson bailers work very well, they are just a little slow.

 

 

 

I've been using this crimp/heat seal kit for all my electrical work; recommended.

 

 

Bad pic, there are two valves, one is just hard to see.

 

 

This is the suction/discharge inside the ballast tank.

Edited May 4 by AmosSwogger

[paul_stewart]

On 5/4/2026 at 11:50 AM, AmosSwogger said:

Made a cover for the switch to keep rain off it and prevent it from being bumped.

Well done, Amos!

[Don Silsbe]

Looks great, Amos!

[AmosSwogger]

 

 

Made a short video showing the reversible ballast pump; it works very well.  It may not look like it in the video,  but it is pretty fast.  Credit to Paul and Allen for the idea.