Buying CP23D - Hull #512

[Sedona Don]

I have an agreement to purchase a Com Pac 23D (diesel) hull #512 and Magic Tilt trailer.  I have not seen the boat yet ... it is in San Diego and I am in Arizona.   I will be inspecting the boat this coming Thursday.  I have no previous experience with Com Pac boats, however, have been following the posts on this forum and like what I hear about the quality of construction, etc.   Any thoughts about specific items I should be concerned about on this specific boat?  I am trying not to get too excited and prepare myself to walk away if the boat is in rough condition.  Any thoughts, suggestions would be appreciated!

[LConrad]

This could be the one I saw at the west end of Harbor Island while visiting San Diego. It looked well kept as I drove by it a couple of times. Don Casey has a good book on inspecting older sailboats. Amazon and other places offer it.

[Sedona Don]

Yes, that is the boat.  Thanks for the recommendation on the book ...... I just ordered it.

Do you live in the SD area?   Not many Com Pac's out west!

[Bob23]

Don:
  My 23 is quite a bit older and not a diesel but they are great boats. I wonder if you should get a survey? Depending on what the asking price is, it may be money well spent.
 On the other hand, they are not known to be blister-prone. I'd be particularly interested in knowing the diesel was maintained correctly...I'd want to hear it run.
 Stand back and look at the boat. Take the time to notice if she looks like she was maintained well. Let her tell you how she feels. Really, I'm not nuts! Well, yes I am. When I was looking for a sailboat, my friend Bud would suggest this boat and that boat and finally got a bit frustrated because I rejected them. After questioning me about it, I replied "Bud, I'll know the right boat when she stirs my soul." When I first saw my 23, all alone out there on her mooring, she stirred my soul and I knew she was the one. After 7 years, we're still in love!
bob23  

[NateD]

When I bought my 23, the "upgrades" were just as important as the condition of the boat. It is far cheaper to buy a boat that already has things like a bimini, autopilot, roller furling, foiled rudder, and cockpit cushions than it is to buy a bare bones boat and add those things. Of course if they are in bad condition or installed improperly, then you have to factor that back into the price.

Structurally you want to check for any softness in the deck at the mast step. Check inside for discoloration around the port lights that would indicate water leaking in. Those are really the only two trouble spots that I know on these boats. I don't know anything about inboard diesels, but like Bob says, I would want to run it and find out as much as I could about the maintenance history. Then just the general boat buying things. Take a look in every locker for signs of anything amiss, lay the sails out flat (or hoist them) to assess condition, take a look at the trailer tires (5 new ones + mount and balance ain't cheap), and as others have said, just note the overall condition. If the owner is putting in the work to keep the brightwork decent, the bilge/motor clean, and the bottom paint fresh, then they are probably taking good care of it in other less obvious ways as well.

Whenever I go to look at a big purchase I at least make a mental list (usually said out loud to my wife so she can remind me later) of the particular items that would break the deal completely and a list of things wrong that would be acceptable if the seller comes down in price. Then I state the highest price I'm willing to spend if everything is perfect, and the price I would need if there are some minor things wrong. But sometimes you just have to have it and the whole plan goes to pot....especially with boats. It's an emotional purchase and if she is in decent condition and you really want the inboard diesel, it could be a long time before you find another for sale on the west coast.

[MacGyver]

When i was looking for a boat i take into consideration what i can fix and what i dont want to fix.
I am a boat technician but that doesnt mean what i will work for a paycheck and do, that i would work for myself and do.

I weight those options against what it would cost to have done versus the cost of the boat.

Fiberglass is meant to move some so decks will shift some under weight
But that doesnt mean it should be a trampoline.

Check oil color of motor then have them run it through its paces, then check color again. Notable differences will tell you how its been cared for. The black soot will show up better usually. And a visual inspection of the motor will be a good telltale as well along with a inspection of the bilge.

Good luck!
Mac

[bob lamb]

Ahoy Potential 23d owner;
 I purchased my 1989 CP23d about 7 years ago.  It was listed on ebay and I bought it the same day it was listed.  I bought it sight unseen (there were pics of it in the water, floating, and had been damaged slightly from an encounter with a dock in one of the hurricanes in 2004).    It had been donated to BoatAngel and put on ebay.  The fact of it floating and with a diesel, I figured I couldn't go wrong (very cheap price).  I travelled from NC to FL to pick it up and sailed the ICW on the Atlantic side, trailered her to the Gulf Coast and sailed her there for a couple weeks before returning her to NC.  
 I've had 7 years of explicit joy with this little ship.  As you can see, I've done some "remodeling" on her.  

  Here's my nickel's worth:  Depending on the price, you can't go wrong with a Compac.  They're tough little ships.  The diesel (depending on it's hours, mine had 400 hours on it) is a gem.  There is a meter with the hours on it in the starboard cockpit locker. You probably have the Yanmar 1GM10 in it.  Not much goes wrong with them.  Clean fuel and regular oil changes are about the only maintainance needed.  There's also a website with helpful forums at Torreson Marine.
  Again, "depending on the price," should guide you into what condition you require a boat to be in.   And it also depends on how handy you are, and how much work you could put into it.  (To me, half the fun of having a boat is working on it.)  I did have to replace the Cutless bearing recently, so you might want to check the prop play.
Hope it works out for ya!
Bob

[Sedona Don]

Inspected the boat out of the water today.  In much better condition than I had expected.  Just normal wear and tear nothing broken.  Trailer tires are even good.  Loaded with equipment. I will own the boat next week.  Plan on keeping it in San Diego for a few months and then trailer it back to Lake Pleasant near Phoenix.  Hoping to explore Lake Powell soon.  Thanks for all the suggestions and advice!