Is going to be the name of my recently aquired 1983 Com-Pac 16 that I received last Saturday from Fishties. The gentleman was kind enough to give the boat away for free although it costs me a bottle of Jefferson Ocean bourbon on my own account to return the favor the best I could! The 1979 currently sits in front of my shop with a "Free" sign along its hull. The boat had been pretty badly water-logged and had some keel damage as well. I certainly got my $900 worth, as I sailed it on my inland lake for a year and a half and also took her out for one last adventure two weeks ago on a three day voyage on Lake Charlevoix with my son. The 1983 is a beautiful boat, dry insides, and a clean hull. I worked on the boat over the weekend and was able to transfer all of my wiring I did on the '79 over to the '83. The '83 only had a navigation light so the anchor light off the '79 was swapped as well. Whatever the '83 didn't have, the 79' did and it pretty much was parted out in full today after work. I added my cabin cushions to the '83 and have a full and rip free set for the cockpit as well. The '79 came with a 2003 Tohatsu 3.5 four stroke and after some carb work on her and an impellar last year, she purrs like a kitten. I took two of the porthole windows from the '79 and although some may not like this idea, adding a porthole in the center on both Starboard and Port sides. I would like to reapply some bottom paint and need to buff out the hull to get it shining agian. I have talked to the company that does our uniforms and truck lettering and am going to see about them creating new pinstriping and logo to replace the existing.
The boat came with a CDI jib furler and to be honest, I'm going to have to watch some Youtube videos to see how this thing gets installed. I have a new jib and main sail with the boat but also have my genoa, main, and jib still from the '79. I transferred the '83 from the Hutch trailer to the Magic Tilt I had, as I feel overall it's a better trailer and I do like the way it sits high and mighty on it. A few pictures of the progress so far:
Both the '79 (foreground) and the '83 sitting eagerly waiting for the trailer swap:
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4784-jpeg.125948/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
The chartplotter/fish finder installed, made a custom mount that fastens to the rudder plate that mounts to the transom:
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4801-jpeg.125946/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
The switch/fuse panel from the 79 fully functional:
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4800-jpeg.125940/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
The cabin and anchor light:
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4798-jpeg.125944/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4799-jpeg.125942/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
I have installed 2 CDIs on 2 different boats. Not a lot to it. I still have the manual if you need it, I could scan and post it.
I noticed the interior paint is flaking. My 19 was like that when I purchased her. A wire wheel on a drill, dust mask, and a day when the temperature won't have you sweating will remove it. I carpeted mine, but new paint will keep the flakes out of your hair every time you go down below.
Quote from: crazycarl on August 24, 2026, 10:10:26 PMI have installed 2 CDIs on 2 different boats. Not a lot to it. I still have the manual if you need it, I could scan and post it.
I noticed the interior paint is flaking. My 19 was like that when I purchased her. A wire wheel on a drill, dust mask, and a day when the temperature won't have you sweating will remove it. I carpeted mine, but new paint will keep the flakes out of your hair every time you go down below.
I just think I am overthinking the furler. There is a head stay already installed in it and I assume it's cut to proper Compac 16 specs. I watched a video last night looked pretty cut and dry. More trying to understand how it functions than how it installs.
It's like a snow storm everytime one goes below deck! That is one of my tasks to scrape and repaint the inside of the cabin. All of my wiring is easily removable from their fasten points and I am going to be wrapping all wiring in the black plastic conduit so I should be able to work around them pretty quickly. I'm not a big fan of carpet, my potter 19 had a carpeted ceiling and I wasn't real impressed with it.
My only real question with the furler is this white line was tied off to one of the shackles attached to a pin that goe into the furler housing. The line is out of the pvc guide and I assume it is suppose to run down the track through the furler housing. The head side of this has a carabiner on it. So my questions are:
What does this line do?
and
Where is it supposed to route?
Also, I mocked the third window in place roughly. What ya'll think? I think I like it!
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4819-jpeg.125952/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4820-jpeg.125950/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
Also upon rolling into work this morning at 6:30, I noticed the 1979 was GONE! I left my phone number beneath the "FREE" sign and stated to call for the registration of both the boat and the trailer. I received a call from a 16 yo kid who was wanting to collect the registrations for the boat and trailer. He asked excitedly "Does it float?" I said yes in fact it was on Lake Charlevoix for three days two weeks ago. I let him know of the cracked keel and told him he could simpyl sand the area and patch it with JB Weld - on a 16 yo's budget that is. He is going to toss a trolling motor on it and trawl around with it. I then remembered I have the rudder and rudder bracket and texted him "I have the rudder for it and bracket. It requires four bolts through the transom, you will want it if you want to steer!" He is going to stop by my shop tomorrow and grab the registrations and rudder/tiller.
So I've realized the white line is the jib halyard but why would I not just use the halyard that currently runs up the mast? Also, the two pins on the spool, does the furling line attach to the underside of it in the spool on one and the tack of the sail attach to the other with a shackle? Assuming the jib halyard is more of a set it and forget it? Lithe only boat I've sailed on (first experience on a sailboat) was an 18' Montego with a roller furler. I remember the sail, furler, and forestay was all one piece and we simply installed it from the mast to the forestay chain plate.
Check out you tube. A few CDI installation videos are available. The jib sail has to be modified for the furler system. I had Kent Sail do the complete install for me. 100% great job. I also had a zippered furler cover made. Keeps the cloth clean while stepping the mast and trailering. Kent Sail recently closed shop. Been around for more than 40 years.
Quote from: Cats Paw on August 27, 2026, 12:24:23 PMCheck out you tube. A few CDI installation videos are available. The job sail has to be modified for the furller system. I had Kent Sail do the complete install for me. 100% great job.I also had a zippered furller cover made. Keeps the cloth clean while stepping the mast and trailering. Kent Sail recently closed shop. Been around for more than 40 years.
Have been scanning YouTube. Lot of install itself but nothing yet explaining the questions. I'm just going to do what I think makes most sense. . . . Gotten me through most of my life :)
The jib furler is installed and works great. I have a tubing mount stanchion on its way to install
To the bowsprit to intercept the furling line. Did a few other modifications to the cabin as well, installed some fishing rod hangers I made from 1 1/2" pvc. It will hold two rods. I scraped all of the flaking ceiling paint along the entire inside of the boat today and have decided to leave it as is. Wednesday I'm hoping I can get the boat registered in my name and give her a set of MC numbers again. I also installed the third port window on each side.
Free Bee is ready to sail. The jib sail came new with the boat and was already crafted for a roller furler setup, complete with the UV outer edge wrap. Besides a few minor details, and considering a new coat of bottom paint, hoping to get the boat out in a few weekends. Would like to do a weekend trip to St Clair but if not, a day sail on my lake will do just fine. Got all the storage stuff figured out in the cabin for the most part. Also sanded and put a new coat of paint on the rudder assembly. Waiting on a stanchion fair lead for the bowsprit to guide my furler line back to the cockpit. I'm getting the boat transferred over to my name on Thursday.
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4864-jpeg.125964/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
(https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/media/img_4867-jpeg.125960/full?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920)
I have to do a double take every time I See the photo of your CP16 with three ports per side. She looks great! Where did you find the extra two port windows?
Stephen
Quote from: SJMason on September 02, 2026, 03:40:13 PMI have to do a double take every time I See the photo of your CP16 with three ports per side. She looks great! Where did you find the extra two port windows?
Stephen
From the 79 I owned and swapped out all sorts of stuff for the 83. If you read the beginning of the post you'll understand.
Oh, that makes sense now. I had missed the part that you were parting out the 79. The update looks great!
Stephen