Recently Purchased an 83' CP16...

[mayrel]

Greetings,
  We just purchased a reconditioned CP16 from Keith at Sailboat Company, Richlands NC.  For a 32 year old boat, she's in very good condition, although I'm going to bring her up to bristol condition, which won't take much.
  I've owned and sailed several small sailboats, Skipper 20, Morgan OI 30, SeaPearl 21, Harpoon 17, CL 14, Caledonia Yawl, Montgomery 17 and 15, Crawford Melonseed Skiff, Flying Scott, Grumman 17 sailing canoe and now the CP 16. 
  After having sailed a number of years, and getting older, the CP16 seems to be pretty close to perfect for us.  We like to camp/cruise and sleep aboard and explore different sailing grounds.  Many of the previous sailboats offered more comfort and room, but rigging, launching and retrieving got to be too much for us; we're both in good health and 67.  For example, I was convinced the Montgomery 17 would be a boat we could keep for a long time; salty, roomy and an excellent sailboat.  However we were towing over 2000 pounds and raising/lowering the mast was a real chore.  We tried the Montgomery 15, a snap to rig, launch and retrieve, but the cockpit was too small and although the large Vberth was comfortable, most of the storage was in bins under the berth, a bit of a nuisance getting to things.  We tried several open sailboats, great for day sailing, but we missed sleeping aboard and spending more time cruising.  The CP16 has a large cockpit and sitting headroom.  The quarter berths are OK, but sleeping in the cockpit should be better.  Although there are no lockers or bins, with well marked containers and some good organization, this should prove convenient.  We plan to fabricate a cockpit cover, with the boom gallows this will be relatively easy to accomplish and provide adequate protection.  If the weather gets nasty, we can move into the cabin, all our gear will be fine in the cockpit.  Since we're not so interested in speed, the stock sail plan will work fine.  I've heard she won't point well due to the shoal draft keel, so we'll just fall off a bit and keep going.  We have a Honda 2hp which I've had on several boats, a bit noisy, but adequate and economical.  This boat has no electrical system, which is fine with me.  We have portable LED navigation/steaming/anchor lights which can be mounted easily, VHF radio, cell phone, GPS, small boom box, flash lights/search light; carrying extra batteries is far less trouble than maintaining an electrical system.  I do have a Magna charcoal grill which we can mount to the boom gallows support, a camping 2-burner stove, cooler, the old simple 3 gallon bucket with toilet seat/dry bags and all the sleeping gear we need.  After all, this is camping on the water.  We like to go early spring and late fall for extended adventures, but when it gets really hot, we find other things to do.  I am confident the CP16 is all the boat we'll need.  Room enough for taking another couple for a day/evening sail, room enough for the two of us to camp/cruise and easy enough to tow, rig, launch and retrieve, and single handle, it's great for a quick afternoon outing.
  I think there is something to be said about these small sailboats which often is over looked.  From what I've researched the CP16 will handle pretty heavy weather confidently.  With her heavier keel compared to the Montgomery 15, she should do well.  We've had our M15 out in some pretty nasty stuff, and she handled it well.  I'm very anxious to get her in the water and begin to learn how to sail her correctly.  Keith gave me some excellent light air sailing tips.
  Currently we reside in Mentone AL on Lookout Mountain, about 6.5 hours from Niceville FL and the Choctawhatchee Bay.  This is a favorite sailing area for us, in fact so much, we're planning to move there this year.  There is easy access to Pensacola and Panama City bays, even Mobile bay is within a few days sail.  There are plenty of good anchorages, restaurants on the water and marinas to tie up for a real shower, meal, do some laundry, re-supply and off we go.  Another reason having a 16 foot boat, transient dock fees are not very much. 
  Many might find this kind of sailing/camp/cruising too cramped and uncomfortable without more creature comforts(air conditioning, full galley, refrigeration, etc).  We find it relaxing and more forgiving.  You have to work at running aground, we can get within walking distance to shore frequently, we can sneak into places a deep draft boat can't go, and it's costing us far less all the way around.  If we have a decent weather window, we can even venture outside and sail from one bay to the next.  Again, we can sail closer to shore and find our way through the inlets even if it's dark without fear.  Granted we need to watch the tidal charts closely since our little 2hp might struggle against the tidal current.  However, if push comes to shove, we can anchor a safe distance off shore and wait for the tide to change.  I think if we were to sail outside for a longer distance we'd carry extra fuel to allow motor sailing if necessary.  I'd also ensure we carry at least 100' of anchor rode.  For the most part, we can enjoy sailing in the bays and motor sailing the ICW.  Lets face it, sailing is sailing. 
  I also wanted to comment, I've found this site to offer great information on just about any aspect of sailing these fine little sailboats, and a myriad of additional information on about any subject.  We are anxious to see how many other CP16 owners live in the northwest FL area between Mobile and Panama City.  We might be able to have a gathering one  of these days?
  Fair Winds and Blessings....John and Joy

[Bob23]

J & J:
   Well, you've owned a pretty impressive list of sailboats. While I admire the Montys, I've never owned or even sailed one and we don't see many here in NJ. The M23 is a real head turner for me and I'd consider one if my Compac 23 ever cast me off.
   I loved my Seapearl and considered converting her to a Tri but I had a centerboard model which left hardly any usable room in the forward cockpit. I was concocting plans to enlarge that cockpit, built a hard but removable cabin, removed the centerboard trunk and convert back to leeboards when my 23 came along and caught my eye. It was love a first sight!
   I've always loved the Crawford Melonseeds...There are a few around here. Roger Crawford is always one guy at the boat shows that I take time to gab with. I believe his melonseeds are a direct descendant of the Parkertown Skiffs which are closely related to the Barnegat Bay sneakbox, both of which are local boats originally used by duck hunters here in Southern NJ.
   Best to you and your 16. Although I love my 23, I'm always on the lookout for a neglected 16 to use as a trailer sailor. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!
Bob23

[mayrel]

Hey Bob,
  We too considered converting our SP21 to a Tri, but $6000 seemed a bit much for what the end result would be.  We did have the leeboard/water ballast version, but a little too cramped for two to camp/cruise, but otherwise a good boat.
  We looked at the CP23, in fact Keith at the Sailboat Company was converting one into a mini-trawler with pilot house, fixed outboard to replace the tiller/rudder, steering station.  Since we live on Lookout mountain, we thought about trailering this boat south for the winters and just mess around on the ICW.  Cost seemed OK, but my wife had to have open heart surgery, so that put a hold on a lot of things.
  Since then we've downsized in tow vehicles and boats, down to the CP16 and a Wenonah Prospector 16 canoe.  I sold a Grumman 17 I outfitted for sailing to get the CP16.
  I agree, the M23 is a fine looking boat, reminds me of the Norse 27, another Lyle Hess design. 
  I've seen several CP16's over the past couple years for around $2000 or less needing a lot of work, so I'm sure you will run across one in time. 
  As to camp/cruising on the CP16, I ran across a wonderful design for a cockpit enclosure from an outfit in the UK, Habitent.  Their enclosure is made of high quality ripstop, designed to be attached without any additional hardware, sort of like a free standing dome tent approach.  They're not designed for anything but an enclosure for being anchored and/or tied to a dock.  Currently they offer a universal size generally for larger boats, but they will custom fit one for you.  They're a bit pricey at $800 in including shipping.  These enclosures have mosquito netting and several ways to enter/exit.  Since they use light weight ripstop and aluminum tubing to create a frame(integral sleeves the tubing fits into), they should pack down to a very small package when stored.  However, for about $100 we can purchase a high quality camping tarp(12x12)which has multiple grommets and sewn in loops.  I haven't measured our cockpit with the boat rigged(still have snow on the ground)to see if this would work.  With boom gallows we have the center support.  Running a line through the stern cleats and bow cleat would provide a means to attach the tarp with the added ability to tie off the front on the mast.  This might provide ample protection/privacy for sleeping in the cockpit?  I've even considered installing a dodger which would be functional/out of the way when sailing, and provide an attachment point for a simple tarp enclosure using the single line bow to stern cleats idea.  There are other modifications we could pursue, adding boards between the cockpit seats to form a larger sleeping platform.  No hardware, just cut boards routed to fit flush with the seats and sized for storage when underway.
  Our thinking is to keep things simple and functional.  The cockpit enclosure doesn't have to be totally water tight, but enough coverage to fend off a thunderstorm with winds.  All of our gear will be in plastic containers or dry bags.  Of course, our bedding will be vulnerable to getting wet, so it needs to be simple and easy to move into the cabin in a hurry.  If we use two regular air mattresses, it won't hurt them to get wet, they could be left in the cockpit.  As you know, if you're out for a week or longer, eventually you're going to get caught in weather, but we will plan to go with a decent weather window.  Being retired, this is possible.
  After we move to NW FL we may desire a slightly larger boat, something like a CP19.  We might even move to a mini-trawler as we grow older.  As long as we're able, we'll be on the water in something.  The Melonseed Skiff is always a good option for just daysailing, amazingly stable and seaworthy little boats!
  Thanks for your response....John

[brackish]

Welcome John!  While I don't live there, I tow to Mexico Beach, FL, just east of Panama City every year for a couple of weeks.  While down there, I try to do the BEER cruise in Pensacola.  You might consider that, it is a lot of fun and a great group of trailer sailors (and some bigger boats) go out for four days.

http://www.beercruise.info/

[mayrel]

I'm familiar with Mexico Beach.  I posted an inquiry to see how many CP16's owners' live in NW FL(Pensacola, Ft Walton, Panama City, even Mobile).  I've wanted to attend the FL120 out of Pensacola, made an attempt last year with my Grumman 17 sailing canoe, but the weather was too rough.  Although we did spend a week camping and canoe sailing in Appalachicola last October; perfect weather.  And then there is the small boat gathering in Cedar Key the end of May.  Cedar Key is a beautiful place, but a lot of very shallow water.  The area between Carribelle and Mobile along the gulf coast offers some pretty unbeatable sailing/cruising grounds. If you like being secluded, there are spots; if you like shore side restaurants and other boats, you have that option too.  Sailing on any large body of water is always more enjoyable.  Lake sailing in our area is difficult with the land masses disturbing the wind, when we have wind.  If it's below 10mph it's not worth the drive to our lakes; another reason we are moving to FL.
What size CP do you have? John

[Shawn]

John,

Nice collection of boats! I am a former Flying Scot owner as well. Great boat but of course very different from the C16. The Seapearls have always looked interesting, esp. the larger 28'. The Caledonia Yawl and the Melonseed look like beautiful boats.

Good luck with the C16!

Shawn

[brackish]

What size CP do you have? John

23

[MHardy]

John,
I also purchased an '83 CP16 from Keith, but in 2010. They are great boats. Welcome aboard!