New member of CPYOA and owner of a CP16

[MKBLK]

Hello from a new member of CPYOA!

Just joined a few days ago after buying a 1981 CP16. The previous owner recommended this forum and I'm truly glad he did. I've spent hours pouring over the wealth of helpful information I've find on your website. And, I've been led in the right direction already. The only thing needing immediate repair on my CP16 was the gooseneck. One of it's ears was broken off. Thanks to this website I have already ordered a new replacement from Dwyer Aluminum Mast Co. at what I feel is a very reasonable price. Evidently broken gooseneck ears is fairly common. What usually causes that? My guess is that an unsecured boom rolls off the hatch and hits the driveway.

It took me three days to screw up enough courage to step the mast. I tried 3 times and got about 80 percent there but was afraid the mast would keep on going and land on my car's roof. I didn't realize that the shrouds would prevent that from happening. No need for a backstay. Obviously, from the preceding, I'm a novice sailer. Years ago I had a Sunflower that I car-topped all over the place... lots of fun. But, this is my first real sailboat! The Sunflower has resided as my wife's herb garden for 15 years or so. Now I can take the grandkids out for a cruise on occasion (after I've had some practice, of course).

Apparently there is a limit how much I can write on this post. Maybe more later.  Marty K.

[Bob23]

Marty:
   Let me be the first to welcome you to the site! Obvioiusly you don't value your reputation all that much if you've chosen to hang around this wonderful bunch of CP water rats! You have already benefited from the unfathomable knowledge and wisdom here and we look forward to hearing about your sailing adventures. Where do you sail from? Congrats on the purchase of your 16!
Bob23 in NJ

[MKBLK]

Bob,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I live in Falls Township (Levittown) PA about 3 miles from the Delaware river. Falls just opened a 1.5 million dollar ramp near Pennsbury Manor at Quaker Penn Park. Ramp fees are $10.00/day for Falls residents, 15 or 20 for visitors. Season pass is $50.00 (this year only) for Falls. The facility is really quite nice. One caveat: Apparently the Falls Twp. people cater primarily to stink pots. There are electrical wires over the access road to the ramp that my CP16 clears by about 12 inches! Good for me, but others had better not step their mast until in position to back down the ramp.

Took the CP16 for its trial voyage last Friday evening. Just out and back to make sure I knew what I was doing... never launched a boat from a trailer before. Had no problem once I let the trailer wheels go under. Boat just floated off. Same thing coming out. Little nervous at first, didn't want my car to go swimming!

Plan on a small trip down to Burlington Island (Bristol) on Saturday... if it isn't too d**m hot! And, of course, if there's some air.

Marty K.

[kickingbug1]

    another convert. four words come to the rendezvous.  you have picked the perfect boat. as complicated as a model t and just as classic. like bob said this is the place to learn and meet some great people

[MKBLK]

Kickingbug1,

Yes, I am learning a lot more every day. I'm looking forward to meeting other sailors out on the river. Hopefully, some Com-Pac owners as well.

One of the posts I read dealt with upgrading the cabin aesthetics. I would really like to do that. Although my CP16 is structurally sound, it would benefit from a cosmetic makeover. I bought a couple of LED lights for the cabin from Walmart for only $4.00 for the pair (including batteries!). The neat thing about them is they also have a 3v receptacle for external power. My thought was to purchase 2 more and hook them up in series from the battery I use for the trolling motor. Stuck 'em to the cabin walls with double-back foam tape.

Marty K.

[skip1930]

MKBLK says --> It took me three days to screw up enough courage to step the mast. I tried 3 times and got about 80 percent there but was afraid the mast would keep on going and land on my car's roof. I didn't realize that the shrouds would prevent that from happening.

I chuckled a Little bit about that one. Well at least your looking and thinking ahead. Albeit maybe thinking a little too hard. Opps just kidding.

"Doing' is the very best way to learn your boat." And the car? Ahhh heck, the world makes 2000 cars an hour 24~7 according to AutoWeek.

Our ramp fee in Sturgeon Bay went up from $5.00 a shot to $6.00 a shot. And $25 for the season. You don't pay and you get caught that will be a $160 fine PLUS $100 in court costs. The parks guys and gals who clean the pit toilets don't mess around. They had better find the envelope flap on the dashboard and the corresponding # and fee in the lock box. If not they simply turn in the plate number on the tow car and the court sends you the $260 bill. No going before the judge. Your guilty until proved innocent, which is never. Since I work for the county at the aeroport I've turned in a few out-of state plates. But only those who park in the handicap parking spaces...same money, same way.

Good for these bi~monthly fishing tournaments. And 7 in town ramps to choose from and 300 miles of shoreline in the county. And "as complicated as a [Ford] model T" that would be about 4700 parts. And 5300 for the Ford Model 'A' like my 1930 Roadster.

The CP-16 is a great boat. Enjoy it. Sail the barnacles off her.  skip.

[MKBLK]

Skip,

Overthinking? Maybe. But as a novice I wasn't taking any chances. My wife already thinks I live on the edge... on a CP16! I put a lot of emphasis on the safety characteristics of the boat when convincing her how much fun the boat will be for our kids, our grandkids and, of course, me. She's supportive, but cautious. Of course she isn't worried too much since I've had almost 69 years of life experience! When the CP16 was found (after looking for a couple of years) I figured it's now or never!

The ramp fees out your way seem quite reasonable. The $50.00 fee for this year is discounted because the ramp opened only 3 weeks ago. The regular season fee will be $100.00 next year. In addition, if I want to use local county lakes, I have to buy additional permits.

Marty K.

[skip1930]

Good call. I don't believe you can find a safer boat then in the CP-family.
My first ride on a CP-19 was on a friends boat. We couldn't see over the waves when down in the trough.
He said, "Can't sail her too hard, she just rounds up." He's right.

LED light is a red tail light from AutoZone. I just solder on wires and wire into the 12 volt socket. Rest of the boat is LED as well.

skip.

[Bob23]

   Over-thinking is a matter of perspective. The way my brain works, I tend to analyze, then re-analyze, then ananlyze again before actually doing something for the first time. Must come from my years in construction. And has saved me from disaster a number of times. This drives my son, who works for me, nuts. But he's only 29 so he tends to forge ahead, realize that he messed up, and has to backtrack and do it again. I'd rather over-plan, over-think to avoid a problem. I think I was born with an engineering mind.
   Over-thinking is a good way to stay safe. I'm sure the astronauts are glad that Nasa over-thinks.
   I'm glad you made the move when you did. 69 is not too old to start sailing and I wish for many more years on the water for you and your wife. My father in law, after having sailed for 75 years, gave up his "big" boat at age 89. Then is was just a Sunfish till he stopped altogether.
   Bob23

[jthatcher]

Hi Marty,
  we just bought a cp 23 in the spring, and we are keeping it in NJ - we love it.   We live in northeast PA, so we pass close by you on the way back and forth!   there seems to be a nice group of compac sailors on lake nockamixon which is in your general vicinity.  you might find it a lot of fun to trailer the boat there, and i bet you will find some good camaraderie there.   good luck and enjoy the second half of this year's season!   jt

[MKBLK]

Great to "hear" from you all!

Skip - I think you're right-on with the LED's. Only makes sense to utilize them for everything, at least until something better comes along - like illuminated panels.

jt - I'd truly love a CP23, but it's not gonna happen! My sense of adventure would surely overcome my inhibitions - read that as ocean sailing... way out! I'll probably make it to Nockamixon, but don't know if it'll be this year. Next for sure. I live about 30 miles away.

Bob - Yeah, I do overthink and read a lot... and still screw up! Guess I'm human. Speaking of reading, I just picked a copy of Small Craft Advisor with the CP16 review at Barnes & Noble. Nice article.

Marty K.

[jthatcher]

if you have time,  check out my postings under the cp 23.. adventures of adagio..    for  unabridged text on how things can go wrong!    don't be concerned with making mistakes..   my kids always tell me that "if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger"   in this case.. makes you more knowledgeable!     

i grew up in quakertown  and still remember when they made nockamixon.   check out this site, if you have not already seen it..  http://nockamixonsailclub.com    there is a section for compac under fleets.    jt

[MKBLK]

jt-

I just finished reading about your adventure aboard the Adagio. Very enjoyable. Having had a bit of experience crewing and a "shakedown" cruise with the previous owner was helpful, I'm sure. I would consider the CP23 a "serious" boat as compared to the CP16 as far as singlehandling is concerned. My initial voyages will be on the Delaware just below Trenton, for the immediate future anyway. My biggest concern will be the current which I believe can get up to about 7 knots. Something to think about! My plan is to pay attention to the tides and try and make sure that return trips are with the current! Even so, there is still the need to make landfall without nailing the dock! I have some reservations about my current auxilliary power - a 35 lb. thrust electric. I'm trying to avoid going gas and might be able to pick up a 47 lb. thrust motor. I hear that bigger is better... in that particular department. I'm not looking for speed, just control. My first trip out last week, I motored out into the clear on relativly flat water and < 3 mph wind. Coming back in with the tide starting to go out a bit, my son David, got a little worried on my approach (why do sailboats feel like they are doing 30 mph when they're really going about 3?) so I veered off. Went around for another stab at the dock while reassuring David that I can do this. After all, I had Sunflower experience! Came up on the dock, kicked the rudder and slid up nicely with just a warning to David not to get his fingers between the boat and dock! Beginners luck - next time the fenders go out!

Thanks for the tip regarding Nockamixon.

Marty K.

[MKBLK]

Hi All!

Launched off the Falls Twp. Quaker Penn Park ramp today. Second time out since taking possesion of the CP16. Weather report had said 5 - 10 mph winds that never materialized. Went out anyway with just the main (for appearance?) motoring with the little MinnKota electric. Outing was fun anyway having met up with my son David's friend Dennis and his 7 year old son on their jet-ski mid river. David's BGF, Rachel, also came along and got to experience some man-made wind on the jet-ski. For a bit we rafted up and all chatted on board the CP (yeah, I know, she needs a name... some thought required here). Four adults and a child - plenty of room.

Was a bit nervous about staying on the motor too long. I have no idea how long the battery will last and would rather not paddle back, although the jet-ski was an option. Having baked long enough on the Delaware, headed back in for a good landing at the dock. Wish I could determine how much juice is left in the battery. Wouldn't be as nervous about going out of sight of the dock... something of old like being afraid to leave sight of land. Anxious for some real air!

Marty K.

[MKBLK]

Hi All!

Third times the charm! Have had the CP16 for about a month now and finally did some real sailing. Hit the ramp at the Penn Quaker Park ramp in Falls Twp. this morning at about 0800. Found high tide and 10 knot winds... perfect. Launched the CP16 (still no name) and headed north on the Delaware toward Trenton, NJ. Spent about 4 hours on the river with my son David. Made the mistake of letting him take the tiller 20' from leaving the dock. That was the last I saw of it for the rest of the cruise! At least I got lots of practice working the jib. Still got to bark out orders... so, I'm still the captain!

I noticed the the main sheet was a bit sluggish. Is that normal or is it possible the sheet is a little too big for the sheaves? It wasn't much of a problem, just thought it should run smoother. Didn't use the trolling motor at all except for the first 10' off the dock.

I had originally planned to head south to Burlington Island, but headed north instead toward Trenton. Glad I did. I hadn't fully realized just how far BI was. About 7 miles via the river, but I didn't factor in the fact that sailboats sail like my dog Mollie walks - at least 3 times as far! I'll save BI for an all-day trip.

On our return to PQ Park, we took the opportunity the apply indoor/outdoor carpeting to the naked bunk boards before retrieving the boat. Seems to have made a real difference in retrieving the boat and should improve launching as well. I read somewhere that with a difficult ramp (spell that too gentle a slope) a little dishwashing detergent goes a long way. Plus I do have a tilt trailer if I need to flip the boat off!

Since all went really well, I'm thinking that we'll try to do Barnegat Bay in 2 weeks. Hopefully we'll run into (not literally) some Com-Pac sailors. I'll add to this post when the date gets closer and plans are finalized.

Marty K.