Self tacking jib, Cockpit railings

[Jonah]

Hi again,  I would like to rig a self tacking jib, has anyone done this on their cp16?
And a source for cockpit railings??

Thank you, blessings, 'J'ene

[JonnyB]

Don't about the jib, but as far as the cockpit railings go, another poster documented his CP-16 lifeline installation here:

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=7349.0

And for the needed parts, there is a current Hutchins/Com-Pac price list here:

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=7107.0

Good Luck,
Jon

[Jonah]

The kind of railing I was asking about is one the raises about 3-4" above the coaming of the cockpit.  Not interested in life lines at this time.

No one has used a self-tacking jib?

Thank you, blessings, 'J'ene

[mattman]

Why are you thinking a self tacking jib? Is there a particular problem you feel it will solve? A self tacking jib will require a smaller headsail-the boom has to clear the mast, and at least a bock on each side and the sheet led aft, maybe an adjustable outhaul???. Let us know what you are thinking. Happy sailing.

[kickingbug1]

    im with matt on this one. one thing a cp16 doesnt need is less sail area. the boat is rigged simply to make sailing as uncomplicated ats possible---in my mind the best philosophy.

[Citroen/Dave]

If you need a self tending jib, get another boat or replace the entire standing rig and sail plan to a single sail that overlaps the mast like a Chinese junk rig, perhaps.  The C16 need more not less head sail to balance the helm.  A self tending jib can be devised on a C16 but the small jib will be paid for with a heavy helm.

My two cents worth.

[Bob23]

Jonah:
   These guys are right. A friend has a Norwalk Island Sharpie 29 with self tacking jib but it also has a hugh mainsail. It is easy to come about...too easy...no skill involved. There has been a Catboat CP 16 conversion that does away with the headsail completely. Apparently it sails well but doesn't point as high as the standard rig.
   My advice? Save your money. Keep the rig stock. Hone your coming about skills.
Bob23

[Salty19]

As for cockpit railings, here is a pic of my old CP16 with elevated teak rails. Nice place for genoa tracks and to hold onto when needed.



This one shows them, the IDA rudder assembly and a forward mounted outboard holder on the trailer.

[Jonah]

Thank you guys for the sage advice.  The reason I am consisting a self tacking jib is that I sail in a confined space, tacking every minute or two.  I have an older extra standard jib I'm thinking about seeing if Sail Care could refurbished and resize it. Also I am thinking of getting a rudder craft foiled rudder.  Is an one sorry they spent their money on a new rudder blade.  From what I have read it really help.  Any comments on a rudder upgrade would be appreated. 

Thank you, by for now, blessings,  'J'ene

[Bob23]

Jene:
  Thanks for the blessings! I built a foiled rudder blade for my 23 and it made a vast improvement. I'd consider it standard equipment. Once you try it, you'll agree. I don't know if the 16's suffer from the same amount of inherent weather helm as the 23's, but in the design of my wood foiled blade, I moved the leading edge forward about 2 inches. All in all, the boat tacked through easier, pointed a bit higher and felt a bit faster- although that could be my admittedly biased observation!
  As far as tacking every minute or 2, why not consider it a skills building situation. When I return to my mooring, depending on wind/tide conditions, I need to do the same thing. It was a bit hard at first but I stepped up to the challenge and it goes smoothly now- most of the time! Sometimes while tacking in our part of the ICW down here in NJ, I need to tack every 60 seconds. I don't even bother cleating the jib sheet. It gets to be fun.
   As most of the guys above noted: a self tacking jib will need to be smaller than the factory headsail. The 16's, like the 23's, will suffer from a smaller headsail. You may find this defeats your purpose. But it will be interesting to see how it actually works. I don't remember anyone attempting this alteration. Keep us posted about the results.
Blessings to you!
Bob23

[Citroen/Dave]

Other than sails that are well cut (read not old and very baggy) a hydrofoil rudder will make the biggest and easiest improvement you can make on a C16.  The old flat plate rudder stalls easily and early creating drag (requires a very gentle tiller movement- not likely to happen as you are run out of channel space), has less lift even if you don't stall it (moves the stern around less) and in general makes coming about less likely to be successful. 

Much to my surprise, I never got stuck "in irons" on a tack with my new-to-me old C16 even with the original somewhat baggy sails.  My C16 came with an Ida brand rudder.  The same company under a new name has a one page ad in Small Craft Advisor.  [I'm not affiliated with them, just a happy sailor.] Others, here, have posted how they made their own hydrofoil rudders.

I once watched another boat tack out of tight quarters with just an overlapping jib; once cleared, the skipper raised the main. It seemed like he was backing the jib now and then (maybe it was hanging on the mast temporarily) to force the bow through the tack.  I have pondered that headsail maneuver thinking that he might have done it to avoid getting in irons.

[kickingbug1]

  one thing the foiled rudder will do is keep the boat out of irons but backwinding the jib a bit helps. after sailing my catalina 18 for a while i have appreciated how easy it is to solo sail a cp16 (no winches, smaller jib and short distance from helm to jib sheets). the catalina will run away and hide from a com-pac but there is a price to pay. in regards to the 16----keep her stock. she is a marvel of simplicity.