ck 17 "nancy" launched

[CK 17]

With no wind and a bazzillion bass boat traveling near 100mph--to minimize wake I'm sure--we launched nancy. Sorry we didn't have a photo boat. Everything went pretty smoothly. The only exceptions were the light bulbs burned out on my trailer when they hit the water. After, we found the bulbs full of water. I thought these were designed to be submerged--I guess not.

Later in the day the wind picked up to 10 or 15 knots and we tacked across westpoint lake a couple of times.

We have a lot of learning to do. I'm sure this boat will take us far.

Stef and I built the boat over the last 17 months. Total cost was around $3500.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pd529f67e12d975686b004ecd6cd12013/ea4491f5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pbb1c80de2c498a2afaab4768448ae402/ea4491f9.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p63dd2f83f5074d194c476acfcfe1a5f0/ea449201.jpg

[JimD]

Turned out real nice. And your trailer lights shouldn't be filling up with agua like that. Oh well, at least the boat is water tight :)

[Thorne]

Old trailer-sailor trick -- disconnect the trailer electrics before launching, then try to remember to reconnect them before driving off home after retrieving the boat...

Lovely boat!

[CK 17]

It's a brand new masteryde jonboat trailer. I called the dealer who sold it to me and he told me that's what I should do. I responded: "what the heck was I thinking, backing a BOAT TRAILER into the water and expecting the electrics to work after being submerged". :D

He said that's the way it is with that trailer. . . :rolleyes:

Oh well, now I know

[Concordia...41]

Well, the trailer light thing kindda sorta sucks, but the boat looks beautiful, it looks like you had a wonderful first time out in her, and most important that you still have your sense of humor at the end of the project. :)

Congratulations all around!!!!

- M

[John Meachen]

There's no sensation quite like your first trip in a boat you have built yourself and the memories last forever.Keep us updated as the boating phase continues,preferably with pictures of the adventures.

[John Bell]

Looks loverly. Hope to see you on the water some time. The photo boat offer still stands if you ever want it.

[rufustr]

Bewdy.:cool:

Looks like a bit more breeze would have been welcome.:D

[Tom Robb]

My boat goes on my pickup's roof rack, but if I ever had another boat trailer I'd consider those tall uprights that outboard guys use to guide their boats onto the center of the trailer and mount the lights on top of them clear of the water. Some trailer lights are supposed to be submersible but why chance it, and the subsequent ticket?

[Tom Robb]

Oh, and nice job on the boat.

[almeyer]

Congradulations on the launch. She looks to be a fine boat.
As far as trailer lights, I've also been told to disconnect the lights prior to backing in the water - it seems to help a little. But even with that, I find myself replacing trailer lights two or three times a season. I'd swear there's nothing simpler in theory than 12 volt trailer lights, but nothing that's as cantankerous.
Al

[katiedobe]

Good job on the boat. You both look right at home.
I use the LED trailer lights, have not had a problem with corosion or blown bullbs the one time I forgot to disconnect before launching. But I still disconnect, better safe than sorry.

Tell us more about your boat design, who, the name, the particulars. That way I don't have to go searching for any of your postings during the build to find the info.

How does that sail rig handle? Easy? Is the helm balanced? I am toying with the idea of a Sharpie with at Cat/ketch rig and I am wondering if it is effective.

[CK 17]

Tell us more about your boat design, who, the name, the particulars. That way I don't have to go searching for any of your postings during the build to find the info.

the designer is Jacques Mertens, you can find him here.
http://boatplans-online.com/proddetail.php?prod=CK17




How does that sail rig handle? Easy? Is the helm balanced? I am toying with the idea of a Sharpie with at Cat/ketch rig and I am wondering if it is effective.

That was my first time sailing a Cat/katch. Practicly my first time sailing ever:D

The winds were very light that day so I didn't learn to much. As the wind picked up for a few minutes later in the afternoon, the rig seemed balanced and the boat handled fine.

[Tom Robb]

There's lots to be learned on flukie light air days. Finding what wind that's available and learning to use it are all to the good, and things happen more slowly giving you time to think out what you're doing, less yelling, more peace on the way home.
Lessons from someone patient who knows how to teach (not a given...:rolleyes: )aren't a bad idea either.

[Caleb Chia]

Is that a new boat trailer? Its not that hard to get the lights waterproof isnt it? And you shouldnt have to disconnect the wiring when you're launching or retrieving. The lights look pretty cool glowing underwater at night, and you can see the trailer better. (If you ever go night sailing)

I would be more worried about the wheel bearings.

[Rick Tyler]

Resurrecting thread on purpose...

Now that you've had the boat a while, do you have any comments on its performance? Would you change anything from the stock plans? What works and doesn't? Thanks in advance.