Some questions from a new 16 owner

[Jason]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the useful information posted on the site.  I got a 1981 Compac 16 in March, it was in good shape and looking forward to sailing again (gave my Snipe away 10 years ago).  I've got most of the updates that I want done (listed them below fyi), but I have some questions.

3 questions:
1) The only aspect of the boat I haven't checked out yet is the ballast.....I don't know how to get a look at it.  The styrofoam is in place along the sides of the footwell, the wood is sound throughout.  What's the easiest way to get a look at the ballast?
2) It freezes here over the winter, but I am hesitant to drill a hole and install a drain-plug in the keel....if it's made it since 1981 without a drain, maybe I don't need to worry about it?  Just tip the boat up and water will drain out of the keel into the stern and you can pump it out?
3) Any concern around water getting in through the companionway?  I wouldn't be worried about it out for a day sailing, but can too much water accumulate from rain/storms?  Any good tricks for sealing that up?

Updates done this spring:
-Scrubbed 'er down inside and out, painted interior
-Teak cabin top handrails
-Made an anchor holder/roller on the bow, new anchor
-Stern rails/stanchions/lifelines (from Hutchins)
-Swim ladder (Hutchins)
-resealed the deck/hull joint with 5200
-Added an electrical system: stern light, anchor light, bow light (ran wires through the pulpit tubing), 12V power outlet, interior light, fan, bilge pump, depth finder (transducer epoxied into hull).  Battery is up in the bow
-adjustable table: little wooden table which is held to the compression post by a wooden bracket which can be loosed up with a wingnut, allowing the table to rotate 360deg around the post or slide up and down it.
-added Jib downhaul and jib halyard lines routed back to the cockpit
-Added topping lift
-Portable head
-Ida-sailer foil rudder
-bracket on the trailer to transport the outboard
-Bottom-Siders cockpit cushions
-New interior cushions
-Also screwed in a tool-box, and fire-extinguisher bracket

Had to become a circus contortionist to get all that interior work done, glad thats done.  Last project is to get the rub rail back on, but keep having uncooperative cold days everytime I have time to do it.   Has been a good boat to work on and can't wait to see how she sails.  Thanks again for all the info on the site.

-Jason

[kickingbug1]

    you have done some good work. i would like to see pics of the table idea (its a good one)

[NateD]

1) The only aspect of the boat I haven't checked out yet is the ballast.....I don't know how to get a look at it.  The styrofoam is in place along the sides of the footwell, the wood is sound throughout.  What's the easiest way to get a look at the ballast?
2) It freezes here over the winter, but I am hesitant to drill a hole and install a drain-plug in the keel....if it's made it since 1981 without a drain, maybe I don't need to worry about it?  Just tip the boat up and water will drain out of the keel into the stern and you can pump it out?
3) Any concern around water getting in through the companionway?  I wouldn't be worried about it out for a day sailing, but can too much water accumulate from rain/storms?  Any good tricks for sealing that up?

Most of the ballast is actually located right below where your feet land when you step down into the cabin. My 1981 just had a rubber mat that you could pull back and see the concrete. If you don't have any damage to the fiberglass on the keel, and you don't have any deck leaks, then there is no reason to worry about the ballast. I would NOT put a drain plug on the keel.

As long as your drop board(s) are the right size, you shouldn't have any problems with water getting in, no need to add a gasket or anything.

[Jason]

Thanks for the feedback!  Some photos of the bow, electrical panel, and table.

[NateD]

I like that table! The only convenient flat spot in my 16 was the top of the portti-poti, and no one wants a sandwich prepared on the top of a portti-poti....

[skip1930]

I like that table idea too. It's cute. And I's luvs the anchor davit on the bow. Good idea and great execution.

No extra holes in the keel for a drain. You don't even need to look~see at the pig iron and concrete if the fiberglass surround is intact, leakless and soundly encapsulating the keel.

Additionally you'll find that that vinyl coated anchor chain is a good idea, as it will stay put on the deck and not slide around because it'll hold it's arch.

skip.

[JParody]

Hello Jason,

         Thank you for sharing your photos.  I also love your table!  I have a '78 16 and am working  hard on the interior at this time.  When I decide which way I will go I will post pictures too!  What are you doing for support under the cockpit?  I have seen a couple of different solutions posted on this site. 

        ( Aren't you enjoying this place?  I love the CPYOA Forum! )

Have a great day!              Jill 

[Jason]

Hi Jill, sorry not sure what you mean by support under the cockpit, could you explain further?
Thanks all for your responses and comments on my wee table, its been handy even while working in the cabin....can be rotated forward and up flush to the roof (out of the way) or down into various spots as a handy table.   Got the rubrail back on yesterday....couldn't do it myself, but was an easy job for 3 people. 

Jason

[Smier]

Wow, lots of cool ideas!!!  Looks well thought out and executed.  Nice looking 16!

[Pacman]

Jason,

I like your swing-away table.

Thanks for a great idea.

Dave

[MKBLK]

2) It freezes here over the winter, but I am hesitant to drill a hole and install a drain-plug in the keel....if it's made it since 1981 without a drain, maybe I don't need to worry about it?  Just tip the boat up and water will drain out of the keel into the stern and you can pump it out?
3) Any concern around water getting in through the companionway?  I wouldn't be worried about it out for a day sailing, but can too much water accumulate from rain/storms?  Any good tricks for sealing that up?

Jason - Great list! Very ambitious (for me, anyway). But, I'll try some of your ideas. Regarding water in the boat, yes, you can simply jack the bow up as high as you can get it and all that "bilge" water flows to the stern. I bought a real cool 12v pump from Harbor freight for about 30 bucks and with some simple plumbing it works great. Couldn't believe how fast that water came out. Until I got the pump I used a hand pump that worked ok but became something of a drag. Don't drill any holes! As far as rain water entering via the hatch - yes, there seem to be two little openings in the upper left and right corners and that's where it enters. Haven't figured out a fix for that, yet.

Good luck with your CP16, I LOVE mine!

Marty K.

[skip1930]

Hummmm, way up front in the bow...if you had a fire down below, you would not be able to reach the fire extinguisher without reaching through the flame.
P
A
S
S

Pull the pin.
Aim at base of the fire, not at the feathery flames above what ever is burning.
Sweep port to starboard and starboard to port.
S..Dab Nab it all anyway. I forget what the next 'S' is for.

No matter what the size bottle, 5-10-15 pounds you use you'll have only about 18 to 20 seconds of dry shot from an ABC rated bottle before totally used up. Don't on-off the trigger. Hold and blow. And remember, if it puts out a fire it will put you out too.

Also since the powder cakes up inside the jar, shake it up every few months.
I have a bottle at the overhead just inside the companionway hatch and one under the settee along side my Gusher bilge pump handle that is held in a snap clamp.

skip.