Recent posts

#31

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Thinking About going to th...

Last post by brackish - September 10, 2026, 06:49:47 AM

Welcome to my world.  Have been considering that option for a while.  Is it more important to continue sailing or to continue making it possible for both of us to remain on the water for a few more years? Have been looking at Rosborough 246 along with some others as a solution.

Currently getting the 23 in better shape for maybe a fall overnight trip or two, we'll be able to judge the validity of continuing with it better with that.

Keep in touch if you do the loop, our current boat resides in a marina that is on it, we'll give you a break from boat life when you come through. Also, Bay Springs Lake is probably one of the nicest places because there is no development other than that marina, and it is a beautiful lake with many fingers for anchoring.

#32

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Thinking About going to the Da...

Last post by crazycarl - September 09, 2026, 08:29:25 PM

Joanie has a very hard time moving about on a sailboat. Going up and down stairs to use the head or just getting in and off the boat is trying. So, I have been looking at Ranger Tugs. I like the 27' version. Light enough to be trailered and with a 2.2' draft, we could keep it at our dock. The trailer means I can pull the boat to clean the bottom. That alone saves $400/year. Keeping at our dock would save another $1500 in slip fees. With the onboard generator Joanie could enjoy a/c even at anchor. The galley, head, and navigation center are all on the same level as the rear deck. No stairs. The transom opens to a swim platform for easy boarding. A couple in the sailing club has a 25 and offered to take us out to see if it will benefit Joanie. The biggest advantage is taking it on the Great Loop. Something that is gnawing at me. No mast to lower and if things don't work out, it can be trailered home. At an average cost of $150k, no way I can keep the Orion and there isn't enough room at our dock for the tug and the 19. 🤔 a 16 would fit. Anyways, I'm not selling the Orion until after I sail the Bahamas with it 1st. Still, if the right tug comes up for sale, I may have to act on it.

#33

Sail and Boat Related Articles / Re: on aging and sailing

Last post by curtisv - September 09, 2026, 07:03:50 PM

Chelle - many sailors keep sailing small boats well into their 70s and 80s and some into their 90s.  Ralph Hanson was a bit of a ledgend at a YC where I used to be a member (Orleans Yacht Club, MA - on Cape Cod).  Ralph sailed a Daysailer (originally built by O'Day) in the 2015 North American Championship Regatta at age 90 and did fairly well as I remember.  He sailed a few more years in club racing but crossed the bar just prior to turning 95.  Here's hoping that many of us can live a long active life and stay active and healthy almost to the end.  Ralph is one of those people that has showed us it can be done.  Recently someone aged 91 just finished hiking the Appalacian Trail and becoming the oldest to do so (having previously set that record in his early 80s).

#34

Group Outings and Com-pac Events / Re: clr 2027

Last post by kickingbug1 - September 08, 2026, 06:51:06 PM

OK, I THINK I MAY HAVE CONFUSED SOME OF YOU ON THE DATES. THE CLR FOR 2027 WILL BE THE "LAST WEEK" OF JUNE

#35

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Sunday Sail

Last post by kickingbug1 - September 08, 2026, 08:38:51 AM

   in our neck of the woods its been 100 degrees. puts a crimp in the sailing although friday looks good. also im going to send you some CLR pics. maybe you can post them

#36

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Sunday Sail

Last post by brackish - September 08, 2026, 06:43:27 AM

Nice! I would take the wind, rain and temps.  Still locked in the longest run of heat advisories I've ever experienced here, no wind, rain and temps in the high 90'S.  We walked three miles yesterday mostly in the dark, then drove up to the boat to finish the installation of the new running rigging and start the motor.  I've promised to start that motor at least every two weeks and it has been flawless since replacing the carb.  My slip is almost impossible to leave or approach without it.  We got out of there by 10:00 AM and retreated to the conditioned air.

You're quite lucky to have the boat floating in the back yard.

#37

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Sunday Sail

Last post by crazycarl - September 07, 2026, 11:21:44 AM

Steve, once in a lifetime event for me.

Fish, 90% of the time I can sail away from the dock and as long as I get up enough speed I can coast back in.

Winds are already approaching 20mph today and the lawn needs mowing so no sailing.

#38

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Sunday Sail

Last post by fried fish - September 07, 2026, 08:32:45 AM

And no motor power? Very good!

#39

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Sunday Sail

Last post by kickingbug1 - September 07, 2026, 08:07:59 AM

no mishaps. remarkable!

#40

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Sunday Sail

Last post by crazycarl - September 06, 2026, 09:59:51 PM

The triple digit heat index finally broke and with predicted ENE 10 mph winds, I planned on sailing the Orion after church today. Of course the rain that wasn't predicted to arrive until 6, arrived at noon, putting my plans to bed. I spent the afternoon looking at Ranger Tugs when Joanie asked if I was going to sail. A look out the back showed a sunny pleasant day. A look out the front showed storm clouds and rain. Radar showed rain in town and on the river, but clear over us and the creek. I decided a sail on the creek was the way to go. With the main up and the boat tugging at her dock lines, I let her loose and my Compac 19 and I glided out of the cove and into the creek where the strong wind heeled us over and we took off like a rocket. Okay a slow rocket, but a fast sailboat. We headed down the creek toward the bridge and rain until tacking 180* and back up stream toward Kershaw creek. A port tack extremely too close to shore and the tall seagrass kept us on Greens creek where sailed wing on wing for the next mile until a starboard tack brought us into an area that is always slow to get out of. Gliding up the creek the trees blocked the stiff wind and the biting flies feasted on my ankles. The cloud cover kept the heat away so while ghosting along I stored the bimini before spinning the boat around to start the long process of tacking to get back to the main creek. I had told Joanie I'd be gone an hour or so, that time frame had already passed and I had over a mile to the cove and the winds were starting their evening routine of settling down. After tacking back and forth into the breeze and dodging all the Labor Day weekend fishermen and boaters for 2 1/2 hours, we were almost back to our cove. With the genny furled, we coasted in while I dropped and stored the main. A pull on the tiller to port had us making a U turn and put us alongside the dock just as the clouds started to let loose. I stepped off the boat and secured her lines before installing the sail cover and raising the bimini.
I'm glad I got my arse off the couch and went out. It was a pleasant sail without a single mishap. Quite unusual for me.