Hi all,
Having just "discovered" the Sun Cat I feel that it is an excellent choice for me. As I get older and life is settling down, I am ready to get back into sailing and would like a trailerable sailboat, easy to rig, classy looking and a small cabin for gunkholing.
My search lead me to ComPac. Wow.
I will be looking to buy a boat but the price needs to be under 10k. It will be a fun quest I am sure.
Also, this is a great forum!
Susan
Hi Susan and welcome! You came to the right place. Although I own an older 23, I love the Suncats and toyed with trading my 23 for one a while back, but found no takers. A short time ago, there was one posted here in the classified section for under 10k...not sure if it's still available. They are around but you may need to travel.
We look forward to hearing from you as you share in your adventures! Again, welcome!!
Bob23 and "Koinoina", a 1985 23/2 in the South of NJ!
Thanks for the welcome Bob23.
I am willing to travel for a boat. I work weekends and am off all week so I am not limited to New Hampshire and New England.
Plus road trips are fun.
Sailing trips even better.
Hi Susan, Keep looking the Sun Cat is the Perfect Boat for trailer sailing and single handling. I just sold mine about six months ago because I wanted a little more room but I stuck with the Cat Boat Design, a Menger 19, because it is so user friendly. With a hinged mast they are really good at the ramp. In and Out in minutes. The boat is also really easy to sail, just one line to deal with, the main sheet. Tacking to windward is effortless. My wife and I have been sailing together since the 60's and it was time to down size but we still like to do 2 or 3 day mini cruises. The Sun Cat is great for that. We trailed the boat all over central Florida from coast to coast and many of the Chain of Lakes.
Our only issue with the Sun Cat was room for two and no sitting head room in the cabin. Our new to us Menger 19 is very roomy by comparison. 8 foot long bunks with room to store gear at the end plus ample sitting headroom. This is the only reason I changed boats.
MY Sun Cat was so easy to launch. Com Pac makes a kit so that the mast has a permanent gin pole with block and tackle so the mast can be raised while standing in the cockpit. I had a four to one block and tackle left over from a previous boat and made my own, for trailer sailing it is the ultimate.
The boat is relatively light 1500 pounds so it can be trailed by smaller vehicles. Don't forget to add in the trailer and O.B. when figuring the tow weight. Usually about 500 to 800 pounds more.
Our group in Florida, WCTSS, has several Sun Cats. They are hard to find used. If you find one snatch it up because it will be gone in nothing flat. Your price point will limit you to older boats but if your willing to travel you should eventually find one.
Good Luck with your search
Tom L.
Tom L :
I am very excited about the mast system. It's going to be a game changer for me; who will be single handling most of the time.
I have 2 grandsons (8 and 3) who I would like to get interested in sailing (and not so much TV and video games). Grrr.
I am ok with an older boat. Anything to get started again.
Some of the modifications posted on this site are awesome.
Welcome to the site.
Thanks, HeaveToo
I'm very excited.
It is the perfect boat. Found one here down in MA last spring and I am having so much fun just getting it ready to sail. Sunapee is a great place to sail. My daughter teaches up the road at KUA. You picked a great boat.
Welcome,
Have you done a search on the internet. I looked and there is a 2006 Sun Cat for $7k in MD for sale that looks good:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?&units=Feet&id=2884008&lang=en&slim=broker&&hosturl=mathewsboats&&ywo=mathewsboats&
Rob
Welcome, Susan,
I had a CP 19, then a Suncat; I sailed that all over the place, and there was just about no amount of time that wasn't enough to get a sail in. Very cool boat. Sold it when I wanted more room, but never found the right combination.
Now, I have a CP 23, which is good for sailing, and not good for quick in and out, hauling to other locales, etc. The Suncat was ideal for those things.
Recently, I went with a friend who has a Horizon Cat. Oh, yeah, that's a nice use of internal space and would also work well. Of course, it is even more spendy.
Regardless, I am sure you will enjoy the quality of the Com-pac. As for age, at least there aren't any Suncats older than 17 years, unles you find a Clark Mills one, which I know exist. The Com-pacs hold their value, though, so whatever you pay, you can probably get back out when the time comes; what is better than a free boat?
Enjoy your search and your fun times sailing!
RBH1515,
I'm one step ahead of you. I emailed about that boat yesterday. Waiting to hear back.
Thanks
Susan,
The Suncat is hard to beat for it's purpose. My wife and I owned one for a while, and used it to go to places such as the Florida keys. We would launch and keep it at a marina (Bahia Honda is a good one) and use it to stay on at night and sail during he day. Having our vehicle there made for easy access to all the land side attractions in the keys. Nice combination.
I am really happy to hear your comment about teaching the grandsons, and this is a pretty good platform for them to learn the basics.
That one in Maryland looks nice, though it appears to be lacking cabin cushions. It may be a rehab boat, but if it's solid you can get cushions and other parts from Hutchins Co. (builder of Com-Pacs).
Wishing you many blissful days of sailing, what better thing can you do with your life.
Hi JDKLaser
I work in Lebanon and a bunch of my friends have connections to KUA. It's a great school.
I will head to the Keys eventually and thanks for the tip about Bahia Honda. Sounds perfect.
So, the salesman at Matthews Brothers in MD just got back to me. The 2002 SunCat for $7,000 sold last week.
My search continues.
Hi Susan, sorry you missed that deal. Sounded like a good one. If you ever find another in the Northeast at that kind of price you are going to half to pounce on the offer. They don't last long. I sold my Sun Cat in two weeks to the first person that called. I still get calls from the old listing even though it says it is sold. It was about the same as the one you were looking at in MD.
Tom L.
Susan, try this boat in the Carolinas. Maybe too far for you.
https://sbo.sailboatowners.com/classified2/adsmanager.php?task=showad&adid=19537
TOM l.
You are so right, Tom L.
Wow, that boat went fast.
I need to be much quicker.
Hi Susan,
I've been a very happy Sun Cat owner since 2012. I have a 2002 model. I'm 5'8" and have plenty of sitting head room and sleeping room for me and my bride in the cabin.
Similar to you, after years of sailing sloops, my research convinced me that the Sun Cat was the right boat for this time of our lives. We are delighted with her.
My search took about six months, a trip to Florida to see the wrong used Sun Cat, followed by a trip to Cape Cod to bring the right used Sun Cat home.
Wishing you success and happiness in your search and sailing!
Thank you, Catawampus.
I would hate to travel all the way to Florida for the wrong SunCat. Argh.
The more I read on this forum about SunCats the more excited I get.
The sailors on this site are wonderful and full of information...which I am going to need.
Thank you all!
"Sailors on this site are wonderful". Awww..shucks. Yer just sayin' that 'cause it's true!! As far as full of information...well, we've accused of being full of something else. Glad to be of service...everyone here sorta becomes like family. Through this forum, I've made friends who will remain for life. If you get a boat and don't mind trailering, consider hitting the road to NJ for the 11th annual Barnegat Bay Bash! Info here under "events"
Bob23
Hi Susan!
We used to rent a cabin at Davis Cabins each summer at the southern end of Lake Sunapee!
Welcome to the Forum!
Wayne (in VA - have a Com-Pac 19)
Welcome to the forum.
There's one in NC for sale.
https://greensboro.craigslist.org/boa/6015917798.html (https://greensboro.craigslist.org/boa/6015917798.html)
Also another and like-new in the Long Island craigslist, but with Indiana registration?
https://longisland.craigslist.org/boa/6018401036.html (https://longisland.craigslist.org/boa/6018401036.html)
Use one of the nationwide craigslist and for sale search tools to see if you can spot others.
The right one will come along, and you'll know it when you see it.
That NC boat looks fine. I wonder if the Admiral would notice one more boat in the driveway...BAM!!! Oh sorry, dear. I didn't see you standing behind me. Of course it was a joke...dear, put down that cleaver...careful with that ax, dear.
Hi Salty 19
I am concerned about the lack of opening ports on the boat in NC.
Is that a true concern?
I am hoping to do alot of camping on my boat-to-be.
Also: what type of towing vehicle does everyone use?
I am thinking of buying my nephew's 2003 Ram 4x4 which I think will be overkill but the family discount on the price is too good to pass up.
Hi Susan, It's odd that the N.C. Boat doesn't have a hatch in the cabin top. I don't think that is a big deal. When the main hatch is open the cabin is more or less wide open. In Florida we do carry small battery powered fans to direct air right at us for sleeping but rarely use them. That overhead hatch could be added if the boat is right for you.
I towed my Sun Cat with a Ford Edge front wheel drive which handles the boat easily. Front wheel drive is not the best on a ramp but that car was easily large enough to handle a Sun Cat. The Ram you are looking at can handle much larger boats. So if the price is right an easy pick. Of course you know your gas mileages will be down the toilet.
If you check out the N.C. boat you may be a little disappointed in the finish on the hull. It is, most likely, dark blue gel coat and is likely chalking some. Maybe they have buffed it out. Those dark colors are spectacular but hard to keep bright. Having said that if it is imron or awlgrip the dark paint stays bright for years with little to know care except a routine wash. Gel coat on the other hand fades/chalks in a few years and needs buffing regularly.
Tom L.
Hi Tom L.
I really like the dark hulled boats especially the green or blue. But I hear what you are saying with the gel coat.
The Ram is a 2003 120K miles...$4K.
MPG? The Hemi engine is going to kill me.
But the price is right. Right?
I'd like to endorse the NC Suncat that is for sale in its own posting.
I know personally this owner and the previous. Both guys are very good at making sure everything is well maintained.
No matter which used boat you look at, you should ask about all history; how was it when you got it, what did you do, what methods, etc.
Also, there is a very fine boat dealer in Richlands who can do great work if you need it. The Sailboat Company, www.sailboatrichlands.com.
I have bought boats from him, and am in sailing club with the guys mentioned above, so disclaimers apply.
Bruce
Susan: If you go for it, let us know. There are lots of us along the way who'd love for you to buy us a beer! NJ is where I am, on the coast. Hope this works out. If time permitted, I'd buy that and sell my 23. But don't tell her that...
Bob23
Hi Bob 23.
Thanks for the invite to buy you all beer during my 13 HR trip to NC.
Actually, I believe that's a bit far for me plus my truck deal fell through. Too much rust.
Need to find another tow vehicle or a closer boat.
Winning the lottery would help as well.
I've never lost at the lottery. My secret? I don't play their game! Are you seriously thinking about the Suncat in NC? Seems like a great deal. I wonder if anyone here is close enough to take a look?
Bob23
Hi Bob23
I need to hold off on anything long distance for the moment.
I need to get a tow vehicle first.
Somehow, I do not believe that my little Toyota Celica is up to the task.
Sunapee,
I too was interested in that boat in MD and actually paid to have a surveyor take a look. Based upon the survey and asking price at the time, I opted out. To me it was a "project boat" and I didn't want to put in the time. Also no motor included.
Sometime later a Suncat was listed for sale in Charlotte, NC. I went to look at that one as well. It may still be available. It just needed alot of elbow grease to polish up. Came with a electric motor mount and 6hp motor. The price was fair, but I started to have second thoughts for reasons cited below. If memory serves their asking price was $8,900.
One word of advice is that you will want to get lazy jacks setup if the boat does not already come with them. Will make raising and lowering that big piece of canvas much easier, and if you haven't sailed a gaff rig before, there is definitely a technique
Ultimately I began to put more value on easy garageability over cabin space. The "garage kit" available from Hutchins is a good long term / seasonal solution but I need to get a boat in and out quickly for short day sails at my local lake. My garage height would not allow that to happen, I have not other at-home options, and did not want to pay for monthly storage. So, having come from a sloop being my previous boat, opted for a Compac Legacy. I'll be picking it up next weekend. Like my last boat, I believe that it will serve my mostly day-sailing needs well, and will find that it indeed sleeps two---once. :-)
Good luck with your search!
Neil I am not sure if I understand you.
Does the additional "garage kit" add extra time to setting up the mast when launching?
Also, I do have gaff experience but in larger boats where lazy jacks are a definite plus if not a necessity.
Gaff rigged cat boats aren't all that hard to sail. Generally the center of effort tends to be aft causing a bit of weather helm. Lazy jacks are nice to have. The boat has a nice line and should handle well in most conditions. I'm kind of curious how it will handle downwind in a steep chop of 4 to 8 feet. Hopefully the boat should keep from pearling downwind. Another factor is the cement that was used as ballast. Up north the constant freezing and thawing can turn that cement into mud. If someone puts antifreeze in the bilge, that may be a hint that you could have a problem. Keep looking. I am convinced that it is a sweet ride.
I am wondering about the garage kit as well - don't you just lift it off the sleeve and lay it over ?
Ken J
I am not all that familiar with the garage kit but I seem to remember some sailors that had it and it was considerably more complicated than not. In addition to lifting the mast stub and booms with all the sail off and on to the deck, the gallows also had to be lowered. All and all the owners of those rigs thought they were good for boats that were going to be moved into longer term storage, not so good for moving the boat out more often. But as I said I am not experienced with that set up. Call Com Pac and talk to Jerry or Mat and get all the info from the horses mouth. They are really very helpful. They are responsible for good customer service which keeps the Com Pac brand so appealing.
I honestly do not see the need to garage these boats. They are so easy to tarp. When the mast is down it serves as a ridge pole and a simple tarp covers the entire boar stem to stern. In Florida we used the really cheap heavy duty silver tarps with buggee cords to the trailer. Good for two years and then for $35.00 throw it away and get a new one.
The silver tarps keeps the boat from getting too warm protects the gel-coat from the intense sun and of course keeps the water and dirt off the deck. When I talked to tarp people on line they were very knowledgeable concerning boat storage. I thought I wanted a white poly tarp but they convinced me the silver poly was better in this intense sun. N.H. may be a different story.
Tom L.
I must respectfully disagree with lazy Jack's on the Sun Cat. I found them to be a nuisance while sailing. Managing the sail at takedown is not difficult without them:
1. Allow the boom to rest on the gallows
2. Cleat the peak halyard to keep the gaff parallel with the lowered boom
3. Pull all of the sail to one side between the gaff and boom (port or starboard, your preference)
4. Find the middle batten and begin rolling the sail, continuing until you reach the boom and gaff
5. Tie the first sail tie to include the sail, boom and gaff near the outer/peak end of the gaff
6. Tie the rest of the sail ties
Not only easy, but without the lazy Jack's there will be fewer wrinkles in the sail.
That,s the way to do it as Steve described. No Lazy Jacks required or desired.
Tom L.
Didn't want to start an uprising... Sorry if I did. Comments about lazy Jacks direct from a long time Suncat sailor that I sailed with in the Potter Yachters who swore by them. So I guess whatever works best for you. Having witnessed the procedure, at the time it made sense to me. But I do see the downsides from this discussion.
Information on the garage package and similar arrangements can be found by Googling, but one such thread (old) is here :
http://forum.trailersailor.com/post.php?id=971704
As for the need to garage the boat, in my particular case no available backyard space or access and my HOA does not permit driveway storage, leaving my only options to store hidden in my garage or pay monthly to store elsewhere. Some may have similar constraints.
I only have about 7'4" vertical garage opening clearance so that was a factor.
Don't get me wrong, I see the Suncat as a superb and extremely versatile boat. I also like the Horizon day cat and the Eclipse sloop.
Hutchins makes a great selection of pocket cruisers!