I just saw the seatrials of the new Compac 23 Pilothouse. Wow! That is an interesting boat. I wonder if that's Frank in the pictures! http://www.com-pacyachts.com/news/
Bob23
Very nice,, any idea how much?$ Rob
Thanks for the post Bob23! A sweet idea. Some comments from my point of view based on recent experiences with my 23 on the Hudson. I hope they will not be construed as negative as they are just my feelings as I reflect on my sailing as did the Frank fellow. When living on my prior boat and sailing/motoring from Kingston NY to Trinidad/Tobago and back, I was with a pack of sailors all in strictly sail boats. Many times I heard the older more experienced people talk about retiring on a trawler. Having sat tiller steering in the rain(and worse) many times I could see what they were talking about, but giving up mother nature as a means of propulsion never appealed to me. Now that I am 15 years older I have a more understanding feeling toward a trawler, and a very positive feeling for a pilot house sailboat. But here is my take on the 23 as a pilothouse vessel... Not enough waterline. My 23 is a bucking bronco on the Hudson whenever the breeze goes above 15 mph, especially when current/breeze are in opposition. Continuous 2 1/2 - 3 foot waves are uncomfortable, especially for guests on the boat. I would love to see this design stretched to a 29 or 30 foot waterline for the sailing I might be encountering here on the Hudson or even if cruising in the Bahamas. Big waves are not that infrequent. Of course I don't expect to be able to afford the "stretched" version that I propose! And it wouldn't be trailerable, but I'm not sure how much trailering most of us really do. :( rip
Rip:
Those were my thoughts exactly when I first learned that Compac was gonna make a 23 into a pilothouse. It's an interesting boat...I thought that the 25's hull shape would have been more suitable but I'm not a naval architect. I guess we should hope that Frank shows up here at the site with some on the scene info as he gets accustomed to the boat.
Bob23
Launch will be this fall, so I won't have any reports until november. I think it will be a perfect Abacos boat between the wheel house and shallow draft. My flicka was 2ft shorter on the waterline so the 'bucking' mentioned shouldn't be a surprise ;-) There is no perfect boat....just the best combo of compromises
Check out this link... http://www.ipass.net/sailboat/ there's a price list on the new PH. Look under "What's New" and scroll down to the second article. Very interesting, however a little too pricey for me. Guess I'll stay with my old baby :)
Bob
Here's a pic of the new pilothouse under sail....looks AWESOME!!!
(http://www.ipass.net/sailboat/23phsail.jpg)
Picking mine up in December. Did a few mods
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h453/FrankDurant/DSC00600.jpg)
Full cockpit cushions for nice nights
full screened enclosure with high sunbrella sides for wind protection and privacy
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h453/FrankDurant/DSC00505.jpg)
wooden ships wheel
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h453/FrankDurant/DSC00571.jpg)
one solar on the bimini....another mobile to move
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h453/FrankDurant/DSC00556.jpg)
A few other mods...shelf built into stbd locker for an engel cooler/freezer, foot pump @ sink (frees up hands), extra ballast (the wind blows hard a lot during Abaco winters) Dual large deep cycle batteries, extra engine insulation, LED lighting, a cockpit table and a few others to make Bahamian cruising better.
Frank, that is going to be one nice boat. hope you will give us a review after you have had some time with her. I've gotten to that age where a pilot house is very appealing.
I was at Bay Springs Marina, doing some light maintenance on my 23 about two hours ago and a couple with a small dog came in on a Cal 25. They were from Knoxville on their way to Key West, wanted to see my boat. They came aboard and we talked for a while. Mentioned that they knew you or knew of you through a forum and might try to do a crossing to the Bahama's with you if things worked out.
A review, yes. Why not just invite us all aboard? We'll even bring the beer of your choice! Such a deal.
bob23
Once I get her in the water and across the stream...I'll post pics and 1st impressions. Looking forward to it. I really think it will be as close to a perfect Bahamas cruiser as ya could get. Windy/cool/wet days at anchor, sitting inside...book in one hand....rum in the other...view all around ;-)
FYI
To Everyone:
We are pleased to announce that the CP-23 PILOT HOUSE has won Sail Magazine 2012 Best Boat Accommodations award.
The announcement was just made this date 11-21-2011 and to say the least we are extremely pleased with this acknowledgment of the efforts of the Com-Pac team.
We have attached the Sail Magazine Best Boat Banner in two formats. Below is a link to Sail Magazine's website where you may view the write-up and a video.
http://www.sailmagazine.com/best-boats/best-boats-2012-winner-com-pac-cp-23-pilothouse
Thanks for hanging in there with us.
The Com-Pac Yacht Team
Wow Looking forward to seeing it at the St Pete Boat show Matt
They will be using mine at the show. Have'nt seen her yet in person....you"ll have to tell me what it looks like ;-)
Do you have those little manual windshield wipers mentioned in the Sail Magazine review? Oh wait, does it rain much in the Bahamas? ;)
Frank,
I'll let you know. I'll be there.
Billy:
If you happen to obtain some secret spy photos of Franks boat and post them here, we won't rat you out!
I wish I'd gone to Annapolis this past year but couldn't make it.
bob23
Yep...I have the wiper. It was actually my idea to Gerry. I had one on a boat in the 80's....love them...no motor to burn out.
Cool! Nice idea. Not that it rains much here in the Pacific NW. ;)
I didn't think it rained at all there ;-)
Congratulations on the award CP yacht team! I just got my Sail Magazine and spotted the CP-23 ph right away no surprise though they look like a great little boat.
Well...packed and leaving at 6am tomorrow headed for Florida. Should get to the factory mid day weds. Then off to Indiantown to rig, provision, launch and head to Lake Worth and wait for a decent window to cross. Will be nice to see the finished pilot house. Hoping to have pics and a report once we hit Bahamas.
Frank:
This is truly exciting. It's nice having you as an "on the scene" reporter. Looking forward to your photos and posts!
Bob23
I've done some looking at the 23PH and the more I look, the more I like it. I'd love to sail one sometime. And to think, I missed the Annapolis show this year...and that's one I usually go to every year.
I wonder why there is only 1 lower shroud per side? Any body know?
Bob23
I just answered my own question...the aft lower is attached to the top of the house.
The aft lower shroud would have restricted passage forward if it hadn't been moved. It makes sense and I think the new attachment point is plenty strong enough.
Looking forward to hearing about Frank's trip to the Bahamas!