Hi folks,
I found you the other day. Thank you for letting me join! :D
My wife and I want to sail. We don't have a boat yet. And while I've been on sailboats, and she's owned motorized boats, I have to say we're very new to sailing.
What we have in mind, is to find a good trailer sailor, such as one of the Com-Pac boats that could accommodate two adults (& two small dogs) for day sailing and some overnight use. We live in central Arkansas with many lakes nearby. The tow vehicle is likely to be a 2wd Ranger, 3.0L automatic.
I'd like to find one that can be single-handed. She likes stable. Neither of us have speed sailing in mind. We like the traditional looks of the Com-Pac, and other features, including the shoal keels they have, and set-up Com-Pac offers. (I keep reading swing keels are either wonderful or a menace to society in forums and elsewhere) We both like simplicity.
I haven't seen one (yet) up close. I like the look of the Eclipse, but it's so new that there's not likely to be one used boat in our price range. I haven't discounted other Com-Pacs, as long as they fit our criteria. It may be a year or a bit more before we do purchase, but I look forward to learning all I can here! :D
There seems to be a dearth of Com-Pac boats here, in Arkansas. There have been some other brands' boats we've looked at. We passed on individual boats (based on the experienced eye of a sailing friend, and what I've read). We've seen damaged boats, abandoned boats, and even a Catalina 22 that was painted with water tower epoxy paint (no kidding).
Again, thanks for opening the door!
Mike
Hey Mike:
The doors always open! Being a Compac owner, yes- I'm biased toward Compacs. They are high quality, hold thier value and look great. Sounds like a 19 would be great for you. They weight about a ton, have a lot more room than the 16 and while being very stable, they move along nicely. Myself, I have a 1985 23 and I love her. She's a bit heavier- 3000 lbs. with a bit more of a refined interior but if I were to trade down, a 19 would be my choice. My friend had one for a while and I was impressed at it's performance.
Happy hunting and welcome!
Bob23...up way too early...again!
i own a 16 and pull it with a v6 s 10 the ranger would have no problem. i did see a 19 for sail in carlyle illinois. i talked with the owner an old guy who said sailing was getting too much for him. i think the boat could be had for 3000 or maybe less. you might call keysport marina keysport illinois and see if its still available. its called tradewinds marina 618 749 5849. in my opinion cp boats are the best. they are simple to rig and sail and with the shoul keep easy to sail and maintain. my 16 is an 81and i consider myself fortunate to have found her. you can set one up in 25 minutes and she will trailer easily and fit in a garage. i considered checking out that 19 myself but felt it wouldnt fit in my garage. i did look her over and she looked good especially the cabin. i think the outboard was pretty new too. if you want me to do somemore checking for you i can. if you find a cp you wont be sorry.
Bob23 and kickingbug1,
Thanks for the warm welcome!
That 19 temps me but I may have to wait a bit. Offhand, sight unseen it sounds like a catch. Did you have a link for it?
Thanks again!
Mike
sorry i might have spoken too soon. in the past i have seen many people drive a long way to buy a used com-pac. everyone here obviously think they are great boats with reason. this place has always been a wealth of knowledge . anything i can do to help i will welcome aboard
I own a ComPac Suncat. Great little boat to trail and to overnight in. It is a more traditional design but it is easy to sail, stable and a beautiful boat. As others have said, ComPac builds high quality boats. We have had ours two years and love it. We sail on an inland lake here in Virginia and trail to the Chesapeake Bay several times a year for a cruise.
Thanks again for the responses. Since we're looking (albeit slowly), I don't think you spoke too soon, kickingbug1.
I admire the 'cats but I'm not sure the admiral will go with one.
Could someone explain the the differences (pros & cons) between the C-19, C-19/II, and C-19/III models?
Thanks! :D
Mike
Hi Mike & Admiral, Don't lose a year without a sailboat.....You'll learn fast and that's the fun! I single hand a 16, if I could always count on a first mate I'd have gotten a 19 or more. Do It !!! Deb
Welcome Smiley
I too live in central Arkansas, Lake Dardanelle area. Let me know if you are close and might get together on my 16 so you can see first hand how one handles.
As to size for two people and two dogs I will second what others have said about recomending the 19 or larger. I have had 3 on my 16 but just for day sail. Two is OK but I wouldn't try overnight with two. I am comfortable with myself for overnight but that's it.
Melvin
Quote from: mrb on March 03, 2009, 09:37:07 PM
Welcome Smiley
I too live in central Arkansas, Lake Dardanelle area. Let me know if you are close and might get together on my 16 so you can see first hand how one handles.
As to size for two people and two dogs I will second what others have said about recomending the 19 or larger. I have had 3 on my 16 but just for day sail. Two is OK but I wouldn't try overnight with two. I am comfortable with myself for overnight but that's it.
Melvin
Melvin,
Please check your private messages.
Deb,
The Admiral chuckled and agreed with "We are looking." We'll see what turns up.
Mike
Mike
Looks good, You should have reply at message center
Melvin
I singlehand my 1988 23/3, and live aboard in the summer. Up here (Lake Erie in northern Ohio) the water gets sort of hard in the winter, and I don't want to climb a ladder to get to my living area, especially with taking the dog out! Not to mention the litterbox cleaning. I've put netting on the forward lifelines to keep the jib and animals from going overboard. I've taken my cousin, his wife, their two daughters and the daughter's boyfriends out for a daysail, all were comfy in the cockpit, with the girls and boys spread about on the foredeck. Too many to overnight, but fine for a daysail. I've overnighted with my brotherand his wife, when we took a trip to Canada over the 4th of July holiday. That was also fun. Lost the motor on the way over, luckily, wind had come back up by then, so com[pleed the trip, including docking at both ends and an overnight anchoring out under sail alone. Not a problem in a Compac. For what you are planning, I'd recommend either the 19 or 23. I pull mine with a 1994 Dodge Dakota, a bit larger, I think, than your ranger. However, when I take the boat to Florida, I'm going to rent a truck to pull it, since I'm not sure the Dakota will pull it easily in the mountains.
We took sailing lessons through a local club recently. We both had a lot of fun and learned a lot. That said, it's gonna be a while (despite your exhortation Deb) to get a boat.
There has been a bedroom set my wife had been wanting, bad. They lowered the price, yet again, and she pounced. I couldn't say "no" to her.
Like I said, it's gonna be a while to build back up the kitty.
Wistfully,
Mike
Welcome Aboard Mike,
I also single hand my CP23. But I found that the mast was a bit much for weekend trailering. So I trailer her to the harbor at the beginning of the season, moor her, and then trailer her home at the end.
I have to agree with Deb.. try not to put it off too long if you can swing it. You also might be able to crew for local races to learn the sport. People are always looking for crew. In the meantime you can learn an awful lot from this great group of sailors!
Cheers,
Sherie
Quote from: Mundaysj on June 16, 2009, 06:15:20 PM
Welcome Aboard Mike,
I also single hand my CP23. But I found that the mast was a bit much for weekend trailering. So I trailer her to the harbor at the beginning of the season, moor her, and then trailer her home at the end.
I have to agree with Deb.. try not to put it off too long if you can swing it. You also might be able to crew for local races to learn the sport. People are always looking for crew. In the meantime you can learn an awful lot from this great group of sailors!
Cheers,
Sherie
Sherie,
Thanks for the kind words. Yesterday's post by me was a sort of update. "The Admiral" had wanted the new bedroom set for a long time. When the price was lowered for the second time, I couldn't say "no," regardless of other desires. Financially, we'll just work our way back to putting a boat into our future. For now, it remains a dream.
The course we took was sailing on J/24s and a J/80. They were responsive and gave immediate response when you did it right (or wrong). Both of us loved it. We found that all of the clubs' teachers were knowledgeable but some are better teachers. Crewing others boats may work. The club is into hardcore racing - I don't think our interest lies in that direction should we ever reach that proficiency. I think we want a cruiser that is 22 to 25 feet - either trailered or berthed. My personal preference would be one with a tiller instead of a wheel.
I will continue visiting here. There's always something to learn, and you folks have been friendly and encouraging.
Mike
Hello Mike...
I just wanted to say hello and welcome... I too am new to sailing and picked up a CP16/2 last year. I can't say enough good about my boat and I'm sure that applies to the entire line of CP boats. It doesn't sound as though a CP16 is what you're looking for but I thought I'd chime in to say depending on the size of the dogs (you mention they're small) you'll be bringing aboard I think a 16 would handle the "crew". I personally think a 16 is really meant for two people and that's about it but if the dog's you mention are "lap" dogs I'd say they'd be fine. As for sleeping in the boat, again, I think it might be "cozy" with the extra crew but if they're "lap" dogs it could be easily done in a 16. I should qualify this comment to say I do a great deal of long distance "sea kayaking" and pretty heavy duty backpacking so I'm used to small "accommodations", the CP16 interior is lavish compared to my usual "digs".
As for towing the boat & launching I use a Dodge Dakota 2WD truck and it's well more than enough for the job and once at the boat launch I can have my boat rigged and in the water in less than 1/2 hour (20 minutes maybe, never timed myself???). I plan to trailer my boat to many distant waters once I get my trailer registration issues resolved... (separate post on the forum) and I think that's where the 16 will shine even more than she already does.
Okay, so I'm obviously biased towards the 16...;-) but I'm sure you can't go wrong with a CP boat. At some point down the road I think I could be seriously tempted on a CP23 for bigger water sailing (Lake Ontario & St Lawrence River & beyond). I've never seen one in the flesh but hope to someday to compare (same designer as the 16 I believe?).
Good luck in your search...
Mike
Smiley,
I am a new Eclipse owner and sail with my wife and two small kids. Great boat, easy to set up, but pulling it with a two wheel drive ranger could pose a problem. I pull and stop mine with a 1/2 ton pickup. It is a lot of weight behind you, plus pulling it out of the soup up a slippery ramp. Lot of discussion on this forum about tow vehicles. Many pull 19s and Eclipses with less than what I have. I would love to trade my truck for something with better fuel economy, but when you are coming down a hill and brake lights are ahead, I wouldn't want a lighter tow vehicle. I suppose you could fit the trailer with trailer brakes and make it work. Point is, be mindful of tow vehicle and towing situations. Given that, the Eclipse is a delight for my family.
Allan
Mike, I also singlehand my 23/3. I've made some modifications, like lacing between the forward lifelines to keep the jib abaord when I drop it. I strongly recommend the CP 23. It's not fast, but it is responsive and stable. It's easy to handle, comfy to live aboard for a short time, and easy to trailer. I also put mine in once a year and haul her at the end of the season. that way, she's ready to go at short notice! She also has room for guests, either for a day sail or a longer trip. I've taken trips with my brother and sister-in-law, and we have plenty of room. Can you tell I love my 23/3?!!!
Thanks folks for your responses.
I think the Admiral is finished buying furniture - the house is full. I couldn't say no when she wanted the stuff we just bought. (call it a weakness of mine. :) I love her!)
I find things in all the boats you've talked about: The CP 16 for its weight and towability with our Ranger pickup, the balance between weight and space with the Eclipse, and the size of the 23. I like them all.
There's a lake 50 minutes from my front door (Lake Ouchita). There's another at Little Rock (Maumelle) but no swimming is allowed because it's the city water supply. We have family connections to Greers Ferry but it's nearly 100 miles away.
The classes we took, through the Grand Maumelle Sailing Club (they're bigtime into racing), were great. We learned a lot (and we know we're still beginners) and look forward to more experiences. They trained us on J/24s and a J/80. The boats were quick to show when you did the correct thing and when you were wrong. Good teaching and guidance kept all the students (20 of us) out of trouble.
Somethings will need to shake out. We'll probably day sail the most but strongly want the option of spending nights on the boat we end up with. Right now, having got the new furniture, we are working to build up the kitty. So, I'm just going to have to be patient. :( But I have faith it will.
BTW, I'll be here. Thanks again.
Mike