I'm a new CP 16 (1994 #2834) owner having moved down from a 1967 27" Irwin. We changed boats because we were primarily day sailing and wanted something that was simpler and cheaper to maintain. We had August '06 on the new boat and loved it. My wife says: "The CP has all the fun of a big boat and none of the hassle." We never had as many positive comments on the Irwin in 15 years as I have had already on the CP 16.
I have a few questions as a new owner.
1) Has anyone ever installed larger rectangle access hatches on the cockpit seats toward the stern (replacing the small round hatches)? I could then put some plastic bins down the berths to hold dock lines and bumpers. It would sure beat having to reach way down the berths to access items stowed. WM sells some low profile, poly hatches with flush fittings that might fit just fine on the seats. Any thoughts or experience?
2) Yes we have scupper leaks (even on a 1994). Advice on how to repair and materials used is welcome.
3) The fittings on the cabin that hold the hatch slides seem to be leaking into the cabin after heavy rains. Any experience here?
4) Where's the best place to get a genoa and what kind of coast am I look at?
5) Of course, I wish my CP pointed as well as my Irwin. I plan on buying a foiled rudder. Is rigging a boom vang really worth it? I can already see how it would help keep the boom down when we're running.
It's great being part of the CP 16 fold.
idouglas
Welcome to the club!
I can help with a few of your questions, but I have a much older (1984 CP 16 I) model, so I may have some different setups here and there.
1) Check the photo library (get out of the forum back to www.com-pacowners.com, there's a link to the gallery) a lot of people have made modifications and added hatches. I don't have hatches on my cockpit seats at all... that's the way mine came.
2) Scupper leaks were discussed in an older posting on this site... I believe in the CP 16 area. The search engine is quite good... a simple search will give you the posting. I can't remember the name of the adhesive, but it is a 3M product that everyone uses. For some weird reason, my scuppers don't leak (yet).
3) I have the same issue. I use a boat tarp in the driveway to cover the whole darn thing, but when I am on the water and it starts to rain... well, you know. I have found that some foam insulation tape (the kind you spiral wrap on hot water pipes) does very well... especially if you put it on the underside of the hatch where no one can see it. It is made out of a water proof foam, and is squishy, so it makes a decent seal.
4) There's a company called Mast Head (www.mastheadsailinggear.com) that everyone speaks highly about. I believe that you can still order from Com-Pac if you want an "original" genoa. The color genoa (Stock # CG16) I have a list price for of $401.50. My parts list also has a listing for "Genoa 155% RF W/COVER 16"... I think that is a 155% Genoa with a cover, but I don't know if that is true or not (Stock # 16RF). That one sells for $537.24. Note: my price list may be WAY out of date.
5) A boom vang is one of those things... you will have people on either side of the argument. My boat has a cunningham, which lets me pull the boom down a little bit (ratio of 1:1... I ain't doing too much), but the way I see it, I own this boat for simplicity, not for maximum speed. There is someone who installed a vang (you can find the photo of his work in the gallery), try asking him if there has been a difference worth the extra cost/effort/complexity of sailing. I cannot recommend the idasailor foiled rudder enough. if you are not sailing with one, you are definately working too hard!
Its great to have you.
Alex
Alex:
Thanks for the response. I've followed up on most.
1) I checked the pictures and did not see any cockpit seat hatches. Does anyone out there have pictures or thoughts on this mod?
2) Yup, lots of posts on scupper leaks. Thanks. The sealant of choice seems to be 3M 5200.
3) I'll try the foam insulation tape. Good idea. Thanks.
4) I've searched a few web possibilities and have found that the best price per quality of product comes from Cruising Direct, a division of North Sails (www.cruisingdirect.com). Dan Calore, who works out of Portsmouth RI for Cruising Direct quotes a CP16 Genoa at around $250 base. Great product, great outfit, great price, great guy.
5) Thanks for the tips on the vang and idasailor foiled rudder. I think the rudder might be in our future.
Great being a part of this community.
idouglas