When is it time for a new boat

[Whistlingdixie]

Hi guys,

I need some opinions. I have a 1984 compac 16. I love the boat. It's not in bad shape but not great either. I have been focused on sailing rather than restoration. Far as I can tell, she will need painting, new rub rails, sails. cushions  could use recovering, hardware and rigging in good shape, motor is not very old. But she is 33 years old. When is it time for a new boat? Thoughts

[mattman]

Sadly, you move on when you fall out of love with her...which also means she probably no longer meets your needs. As far as bringing a boat back to "sailing condition" which is an open definition, I focus on items in this order: Safety-through hulls, scuppers, hoses, anything that threatens to send the boat to the bottom; Structural-rigging, nuts and bolts, tanks, fittings; Functional-lines, sails, blocks, winches,  things necessary to make the boat move and function as you wish her to, and finally Cosmetic...Best of luck.

[captronr]

 Our "progression" (if you can call it that) started with a:

14 foot precursor to the Sunfish.  Fun, but too small for the family, and very wet.  Sold it after 2 years.

16 foot open daysailor that was 20 yrs old--a Sweet 16 model made by Advance Sailboats (in caves around Kansas City).  Very fun, held the family, wet to operate, no cabin.  Sold it after 10+ years.

8 year old Mac 26X.  Fun boat, low maitenance, lot of room, a great cruiser boat, downside it took a long time to rid/derig.  Wanted to downsize.  Sold it after 10 years.

6 year old Eclipse.  Very fun (what little I've gotten to sail it so far), plenty of space for the two of us, Very easy to rig/derig.  Weighs 1K pounds or so less than our Mac, so tows easier.  Probably our last boat, unless we end up (doubtful) on lakefront property.

For us, our family situation and boating needs changed which drove us to change boats.   At the time of owning each boat, it was the right boat at the right time for us.

We've also tried to get boats that look OK, but didn't require lots of hours to maintain.  Money factors in there also, especially if you are evaluating refurb vs purchase.  Whatever decision you make FOR YOU is the right decision.

Ron

[Gerry]

Old 16s never wear out.  Mine is a 1981.  A little TLC and they are as good as new.  Thousands are still happily sailing.  Take the time to restore/fix it.

Gerry

[Mas]

If ya like the boat keep her! We absolutely love our little 16 and is the second one we have had. They are selling for as much if not more than they were new. We got different boats cuz of their intended use and not the condition of the boat before. Then again those of you that know us, know we are not the folks to talk with if you are looking to avoid a different boat. Actually our new to us boats are both older than the one we sold. Hmmm.....

[brackish]

I believe as others have stated that intended use is the criteria for a new boat.  Each of our four boats has been the right boat for the time.  We hated to see each of them go, but had to move on and will probably do so again.

As far as the age/condition factor, it is not a factor in a boat that is currently in use and maintained to sail as designed.  Too old is only a factor in very neglected boats, boats that have been holed or sunk, or boats that are blistered so badly they require a full peel and the cost is more than the value of the boat restored.  All others can be restored and are worth the effort in my view.

[Reighnman]

Do you mean new as in 2017 new CP16 or just something a bit newer than 1984 and perhaps a different boat? If all the projects listed on your current boat were completed would you still think about a new(er) boat?

[alsantini]

This is an interesting topic and one that allowed me to re-think my boat decisions.  I really agree with the statement that different times cause for different boats.  My cabin boats started with a Capri 16.  I liked the room in the cockpit but the cabin was just about unusable.  Kept it for 2 years and then bought a Precision 18.  Slightly less cockpit space but a usable cabin.  A bit tender and could not carry much sail when the wind piped up.  A good boat but one that wanted to be sailed level.  As soon as I bought her, I realized that I should have bought a P-21.  So, after 2 years with the P-18 I bought a P-21 from the same guy I had bought the 18 from??   I liked the way the 21 sailed and kept her for 13 years.  But as I got older I realized that being relegated to one location during the summer wasn't doing it for me anymore.  I tried to fashion a mast raising system for the P-21 without success.  Now, I realize that some guys have done it, but even with a mast raising system I would need 1 1/2 - 2 hours to get the boat in the water, assuming I was by myself.  That would not cut it for me especially since I wanted to trailer the boat to Florida in the winter and sail off the trailer.  So, the thought of replacing my "beloved" P-21 crept into my feeble mind.  I researched and researched and thought and thought for almost a year.  I wanted a boat the size of my P-21, that sailed at least as well, could sleep 2 in comfort, had a useable porta-potti (the P-21's potti requires one to leave a cushion out for it to be used), trailered well, and could be in the water in less than 45 minutes.  That was my criteria.  Anyway many of you know that I settled in on the Com Pac Eclipse.  It is almost the size of the P-21 since it has a smaller beam.  It trailers exceptionally well, sails even better than the P-21, has a useable potti and I can be in the water in around 20 minutes.  I am a very happy camper, er sailor....  What did it take to get me out of my last boat?  Age (that pesky mast got heavier as I aged).  My desire to travel with a sailboat, especially to Florida.  The Eclipse will no doubt be my last boat since I am 71 and it does everything I want in a boat and more.  It took me 2 boats to realize what I really wanted and then I stuck with it (remember 13 years with the P-21).  I think the best thing I would recommend to anyone is think, think, think.  What do you want, where will you sail, will you trailer, will you spend nights in the cabin, will you have additional crew or will you single hand most of the time, are you up for a re-condition or do you just want to go sailing?  It is the answers to these question that took me close to a year to answer and find a boat.  And last, I wanted a boat that was in current production so that parts, etc would be readily available.
Sorry this is so long....  Sail On,  Al

[kickingbug1]

   next time you are down my way Al, i want to time your launch time. better yet we will have a rigging competition (no trophy).

[alsantini]

??  I have a 22 min video of Off the Wind getting ready.  Just send the trophy North......  Initially or in my old slow mode, it is closer to 30, but in contest mode, watch out.  When I compare the P-21 to the Eclipse, I think the major differences are the mast raising system and the boom/sail being on deck during short travels.  Once the mast is up, the boom is slid into position and pinned and the boat is ready to launch.  On the P-21 I would carry the boom in the cabin.  A buddy of mine in Florida leaves the sail on the boom in the cabin.  This lets him cut down on launch time on his P-18.  Are you adding this to CLR?  Shortest launch time contest?  The SunCats will kill everyone else, including myself.   I think they are in the water in around 10 min, unless you have primed the pump with PBR....