Compac 27 cruising capabilities

[BigSailor]

Hi all,

I am doing a major refit of my 1986 Compac 27, and I would like to know what opinions there are out there about how seaworthy she is. I know she was not designed to do ocean crossing, but what about doing a circle of the Caribbean, Key West to Isla Mujeres, Cuba to central America, etc.? I would love to do the windwards and all, but only if she is up for it.

Thoughts?

[SailingShadow]

I have hull no 1, about the same a age as yours,  It is in amazingly good condition.
I would check the rudder thoroughly and start cursing off shore some to learn the boat.
I am sure some have done that with the boat but I have not got out more than 20 miles.
I have had my boat for a year sail it about once a month and have about 100 hours on it under sail and just now have gotten to know it well enough to feel comfortable off shore with it.
Work up to it.
There are others here with much more experience than me, I am sure they will give input.

Blessings
David

[Koinonia]

best thing I did to my boat was a bigger engine.  A M25 Universal diesel made such a huge difference.  They are a few years back in the postings but I posted most of what I had done to the boat.  Also the fuel tank got replaced with a 20 gallon tank, solar, ect.  Shes capable but if you have to motor into weather or current 10hp with such a broad bow sucks.

[wes]

David - I too have done some off-shore cursing, but it bothered my wife so now I try to watch my language.

Wes

[relamb]

I've been 100 miles offshore in my CP27, and it was not an issue because I watched the weather.  I've been 2 miles from the marina and had some fierce storms come up with 6-9' steep waves that beat the heck out of me.  That's happened a couple of times, raining and blowing so hard I have to wear a scuba mask to see in the rain.   
Once it was pretty nasty and I waited too long to reef the sails, and my wife and I could not get them down.  I was less than a mile from port, and I was not about to give up and motor in.
Principle of the thing! A coast guard patrol boat came out and stood off while we messed around with the sails and finally got it done.  They waved and honked their horn and took off when we finally got it under control.   The boat will take a lot.  You will beat yourself to death before the boat will.  Don't be afraid to go out when it's bad.  Go out intentionally and practice in rough weather.  Not a hurricane, but in some decent wind and waves so you get the hang of things.  I prefer to do that in warm water (Florida) and near a coast guard station.   If something goes wrong, at least rescue is within minutes, not hours or days.  Not only will you test and improve your skills, if your rigging or rudder is going to break, you'll be close to help and Sea-Tow. 

[Reighnman]

After spending 3 nights in my 25 for the BBB2018, when I can hopefully plan my Caribbean Adventure in 20 years, it'll be in nothing smaller than a 31fter. I think tankage, motor size, gimballed stove, bathroom layout, dinghy access, and liveaboard storage capacity will play a larger role in the decision then sailing capabilities. Like others have said, these boats can take a beating. The scariest moments for me are running inlets with that little 12hp. Watching YouTube videos of people sailing in the Caribbean, they sail for like 8hrs and then live on anchor for a week before moving to the next island.  I think we weekend sailors spend more time actually sailing then many people cruising the Caribbean. Best of luck, and live the dream!

[sailors35]

12 years in the Caribbean on an IP35.  Reef in main from December. to March.  Typical 20-25 higher gusts between islands.  Not what it looks like in Cruising World.