New 2013 Legacy "Santosha" - Some Thoughts

[Mike K]

I picked up my brand new 2013 Com-Pac Legacy from Winter's Sailing Center in New Jersey in April 2013.  At that time, I had a Nissan Altima that could tow 2000 Lbs. and I had no problem towing the boat and trailer with that car over the road. I could barely feel it back there.   However, I was concerned about pulling the boat out of the water on slippery, steep boat ramps, with the low clearance FWD Altima,  so I traded the Nissan in for a new 2013 4WD Ford Escape (Nice car by the way).

At first I did some driveway "sailing" to educate myself about the rigging, and to entertain the neighbors.  By now (June 2013), my fiancee, myself and our little dog have launched and sailed about 6 full days on the Bohemia River on the Upper Chesapeake Bay.  No overnight trips yet, as I have to train the dog how to use a Porta-Potty (only kidding).

Before I ordered the Legacy, I was concerned that there was very little owner feedback on the web, but I took the plunge anyway.  However, now after sailing the boat awhile, I have to say I am extremely pleased with the boat, the quality of construction and the way it sails.  I have sailed an old Catalina 22 (wing keel), an O'Day 18 daysailor, and used to own a 1985 MacGregor 21.  I like this boat better than any of those.   Although small, the boat feels bigger than it is.  It's responsive, and tacks easily even in light breezes. 

We have not slept overnight yet in the cabin, but we took a nap down there while anchored in a cove one day.  While tight, it's like being in a pup tent.  I opted for an opening square hatch in the roof, which helps with the airflow.  I took the advice of another owner and did not buy the quarterberth cushions.  The extra thickness would definitely cut down on the already low leg and hip room while reclined under the cockpit seats.  A thin camping pad is a better option for more space. The Tilt-Rite trailer is nice too.  By the way, it's very easy to put the mast up, although we mostly leave it on the trailer at the marina with the mast up.

I bought the boat with the bimini option which works fine with the boom during sailing (I'm 5"11, and I can fit under fine). Just realize the clearance is low, which cuts down on some visibility while heeled.  It also works fine folded up and tied against the boom gallows.  Definitely get the lifeline option-they complete the "seat back" for seated comfort.

There were a few improvements I've seen from other people's complaints about older boats.  The sails were from Mack Sails, and seem to be well constructed, but one of the rivets on the halyard plate was smashed and sharp, so I filed it down so it wouldn't rip the sails.  The standard jib comes now with brass hanks, not plastic.  You still have to tie the jib tack to the anchor roller-just practice your knots.  The Garhauer mainsheet works fine, and I've never had any issue with it sticking, and I got used to it being overhead on the gallows.  The lightweight centerboard raises easily.  I like having the built-in ballast in the shoal draft--I don't have to worry about capsizing if I forget to put the board down (something I always worried about with my swing-keel MacGregor.)

I was disappointed by a few things though.  There were 2 out of 4 screws on the bimini track that were stripped out, but it works OK so far.  Also, there is very little to grab onto when venturing onto the foredeck.  During major swells or wakes, it's a little scary up there, getting to the bow pulpit.  The mainsail has plastic mast sliders, which often jam in the track, forcing manual coaxing.  There really needs to be another cleat on the boom, as now the topping lift and the reef line share a small cleat on the end.  There also needs to be some mid-ship cleats on the boat, as some people mentioned.  As delivered, all the wood on the boat is unfinished.  It's not a lot of wood (hatch tracks, tiller, outer cabin trim, centerboard pendant plate), but I put a couple of coats of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane on it.

I bought a long shaft (20") 4HP Tohatsu 4 stroke outboard with the tiny gas tank in the outboard.  It's probably more engine than this boat needs.  It makes max boat speed (about 5.5 knots?) at about quarter throttle.  With the low fixed motor mount, I really didn't need the long shaft motor.  And at ~65Lbs, it's on the heavy side, but it works fine.  I like having a reverse gear, but the smaller motors don't have it.  While sailing, I sometimes tilt it up, but sometimes sail with it dragging in the water--it's a little difficult getting to the back of the motor to the tilt lever, with the boom gallows (and folded bimini) in the way.

After a few days sailing, we decided to name the boat "Santosha" from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.  In Sanskrit, it mean "Contentment".  I think we could really be content with this boat, even though it's rather small.  We really like this fun little boat, and I look forward to trailer sailing not only the Upper Chesapeake, but other destinations on the East Coast in the coming years.  I hope to see you out there! 

[kahpho]

 Welcome Keougmi,

I'm always glad to see more Legacy owners on here. There's a few of us now but not many and we seem to be pretty spread out. I'm located in the Pacific NW and one of us here is in Australia. I find it pretty cool to be able to compare experiences and share modifications with other owners of these capable little boats.

It strikes me that so far, all of our first impressions of the Legacy seem to be remarkably alike. My first outing, I too was surprised at how little wind would keep the boat moving. I am curious about the Garhauer mainsheet you speak of and how it is different from the one on my '07. When you have the time I'd really like to see a picture of one (or if there is a picture on the 'net you could steer me toward). I'd much appreciate it.

Enjoyed reading about your new boat and I'm looking forward to reading of your adventures aboard and abroad on the Chesapeake. I'd love to see that area but it's not likely I will, at least not this side of retirement.

mel

[Pete H]

Welcome Keougmi,

Congratulations on buying a Legacy.  Great little boats aren't they?

I bought mine last year and have been very pleased with it.

I attach the topping lift to the eye on the end of boom plug and use the cleat to fasten the mainsail out haul.

I have replaced the standard outboad bracket for an adjustable one. I found, as you have, that with the standard bracket the outboard is difficult to reach to tilt (on my outboard, a 6hp Evinrude 4 stroke) the latch on the tilt mechanism was way down near the water and was impossible for me. With the new bracket it is easy to raise the motor which then makes it possible to reach the tilt unlock latch. It also allows the motor to be tilted so that when sailing or at anchor it is well clear of the water. All motor operations are also much easier with the Bimini off.

My wife and I have now done several short cruises and find sleeping on board a joy.  We have the standard bunk cushions and have found them quite comfortable. I am six feet tall and 200 pounds, and for me the bunks work well, I just put my legs down the quarter berth and leave the rest of my body in the cabin, ( in my previous boat I could fit right into the quarter berth with just my head poking out, no hope of that here. So the bottom end of the berth is used as storage).  

Camping on board, (and that is what you do. Forget any notion of "luxury yacht cruising"), is comfortable, cosy, requires a degree of agility, needs a sense of humour and is best done alone or with someone you're really comfortable with. Even then using the porta potti is best done, probably can only physically be done, alone, with your head sticking out the hatch. TIP ---- Use shoreside facilities whenever possible.

We cook in the cockpit using a butane stove. Sometimes in the open, sometimes under the Bimini or boom tent, or if tied up to a jetty with tables and seats nearby I just carry the stove and tucker box ashore.

Still, camping on board you have luxury, storage, space and comfort that lightweight campers like bush walkers, bicycle campers and motorcycle campers can only dream about.

Hope you grow to love your Legacy as we do ours, so welcome and we wish you gentle winds and calm seas.

Best wishes,

[skip1930]

" The mainsail has plastic mast sliders, which often jam in the track, forcing manual coaxing. "

Try some silicone dry slide type lubricant in the slot and on the slides. Harken SailCoat [?]

A tune I stumbled across. Kind of catchy. http://youtu.be/rgJwU0s1N9Q

skip.

[Mike K]

Thanks Mel, Pete and Skip for the best wishes and quick responses.  My real name is Mike by the way.  I'm surprised that the Legacy has not only made it to all corners of the USA, but to Australia too!  I guess it's up to us to spread the good word on the boat, so that more people will buy these great little boats.  I'm a little tired of seeing lots of 15ft West Wight Potters around, and no Com-Pacs, other than a cat or 2.  IMHO, the classic looks of the Legacy beats the strange looking Potter, though I've never sailed a Potter.  I park next to a Potter in the Marina.  Who knows, someday we may meet and get a chance to sail each other's boats to compare?

It sounds like you guys definitely have passion for your Legacies!  And thank you for all the hard earned tips and recommendations from how to rig the topping lift, the motor mount, camping on board, fixing the sticking mainsail slug sliders, etc.  I will get to work on all your recommendations.  Now that we're more familiar with the boat, we may even plan an overnight "campout" on the water!  And we'll definitely stay close to a land based bathroom.

Mel, you asked about the Garhauer mainsheet.  This website won't let me attach a picture for some reason (and I don't have the boat at my house for a quick Pic), but the mainsheet looks the same as was in the Com-Pac video on You-Tube posted in 2009. I'm not sure if it's different than yours?  The mainsheet is shown about 6 minutes into the video. Here's the URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nmzKrXi2bIU

As for the tough time tilting the motor up out of the water while sailing, I was thinking about putting a short loop of line around the tilt lever (not long enough to foul the prop were it to fall off), and taping or tying the other end to the top or side of the motor housing.  That way, I might be able to yank on the line to tilt the motor without me falling into the water?  I'll try that the next time out and let you know how it works.

Oh, and we find that deploying and stowing the 8Lb Danforth type anchor to be a pain and a danger to the boat's finish.  This type anchor (needed for the Chesapeake mud) doesn't sit well on the bow roller.  So, I am buying a Windline Rail Mount Anchor Bracket, (I saw one on the Potter next to me) and will try hanging the anchor on the right side of the bow pulpit rail, and feed the chain back through the bow roller.  I think this mount location will not interfere with the navigation lights on the front rail, and turn the anchor sideways so it doesn't restrict forward visibility too much.

Thanks again for all your help and support.

Mike
2013 Legacy "Santosha"

[Mike K]

UPDATE 7-5-13
Yesterday we went out for a beautiful 4th of July sail.  Winds were great, and I was able to beam reach at boat speed 4 miles all the way back to the ramp.

That morning I put on the modifications I mentioned in the paragraphs above.  I put on the Windline anchor hanger on the right side of the bow pulpit, and hung the 8Lb Danforth style anchor on it.  If you put it far enough forward (toward the nav light), the swinging shank of the anchor misses the fiberglass, and can only (on rare occasions) hit the steel anchor roller.  I lead my chain then through the front of the anchor roller, and the nylon rode down through the deck rode pipe opening.  To keep the chain from hitting the deck while sailing, I used an 8" Velcro fastener strip and tied the end of the chain/rode eye to the left side of the bow pulpit rail.  To deploy the anchor, it was easy to pull off the velcro strip, and lift the anchor out of the holder.  My fiancee loves the new setup, as it's much easier for her to drop and recover the anchor.   In the future, I'll pick up a vinyl covered chain to further prevent deck damage.

To be able to more easily tilt the motor for sailing (without falling overboard), I used about 12 inches of light 1/4"line.  I tied one end to the tilt lever on the back of the motor, and led the other end to the metal hoop (bail?) just in front of the gear shift lever on the 4hp Tohatsu motor.  While standing and bending over the stern arch (which keeps you from falling overboard), I can easily reach the front of the line, lifting the loop, which pulls up the tilt lever.  Then, with my other hand, it's easy to grab the back top of the motor cover to tilt the motor.  I'd highly recommend this cheap modification.