Core Sound 17

[Bill Higgins]

Has anyone built a Core Sound 17 or Core Sound 20? I like the way they look, and construction seems pretty straight foreward. I would like to know how they handle though, especially in fairly rough water. I live on the west coast of Lake Michigan, and need something that can deal with wind driven waves and chop.

[CaseyJones]

Do a search on the Forum for "Core Sound". Tom Lathrop has posted several times about it. Based on his recommendations, I purchased plans for the 17' instead of the 20'. He seemed to think the 20' was a bit big for trailer-sailing. I love the pics of it on B&B's site and plan on starting mine next spring.

[Tom Lathrop]

Bill,

The Core Sound 20 is a bit larger than I want for my own particular use. It is a fine boat and can handle rough weather with aplomb. See pictures on www.bandbyachtdesigns.com (http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com) and read my comments in the section called "The great race". This race is being run again next weekend and my powerboat "Liz" will be committee boat again.

As an example of handling capability, these boats compare very favorably with the Sea Pearl which most consider a good boat. Both the 17 and 20 and even the Bay River Skiff 15 can carry on under full sail in conditions that require reefing in the Sea Pearl. Downwind in heavy air the B&B boats just get up and go under complete control while the Sea Pearl becomes cranky.

The sails on the 20 run in sailtracks on the mast so reefing is done in the usual way while reefing on the 17 is be a bit different. The 17 is provided with an extra central mast step so that either mast can be set there and the boat sailed as a cat rig. Some builders have also rigged the sails so that they can be reefed by rolling the luff up on the mast.

In any case, the cat ketch rig is so simple that getting underway from trailer to sailing is far easier than most other rigs. Yes, I like these boats and the cat ketch rig.