Amalia and I just got back in from our first cruise in "Restless". We put in on Thursday, near Gananoque in the heart of the Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), and spent two nights out anchoring among some of the most breathtakingly beautiful islands in the world. Winds never got up much above 10 knots, but even so, we were delighted with our boat's sailing characteristics. Even in a light mid-morning breeze she ghosted along dreamily, a perfect venue for transiting a stunning landscape of granite-bound islands clad with windswept pines, and some of the most beautiful old world cottages you'll ever see. With her board down she easily tacked through 90 degrees. When pressed into service that wonderful old 6 HP Merc pushed us through the narrow twisting channels snaking betwixt islands with a pleasing purr (I've never experienced such a quiet, smooth running two stroke outboard!). We were most impressed by the rock solid stability of this boat, providing a perfect platform both at anchor and under way (though she does roll a bit when catching the wakes of passing motor cruisers broadside-on). She is every bit the keelboat - and I've owned a succession of them - promising to open up many new cruising possibilities. And how pretty she is to behold, whether swinging to an anchor from a swimmer's vantage, or tied to the visitor's dock when coming into port for a cold one. She is an absolute gem!
If there are other Compac owners in our neck of the woods, we are planning a small cruising flotilla in the Brockville, Ontario, area for September, when the tall ships are scheduled to make port there. We will be putting in upriver at Mallory town Landing, and plan to make our way down to Brockville to greet the ships over a two day mini-cruise.
Burton Blais (a.k.a. Jackrabbit)
S.V. Restless
Burton! You switched from a SeaPearl to a Com-Pac also!
I'm sailing Nomad now - a SunCat 17 cat boat. Really enjoying the relaxing style of sailing for a change.
Ron Hoddinott
Hi Ron,
Yes, though I regret having sold the Seapearl, it was time for a more comfy sleeping platform for two. Guess if I ever want to do an Everglades challenge it will have to be in the crab skiff!
Cheers!
Burton
"Board down"? You have one of the rare centerboard 19s?
Yessir!