Getting close to buying a 82 compac 23

[domromer]

So I've been going back and forth with a guy selling a compac 23. He's actually the 3rd owner in a month. Someone was selling earlier in the month. A guy purchased it and told my friend whose boat was next door that he got a good deal and was going to flip it.  The guy makes it to the end of the marina and the engine dies. He ends up selling it on the spot to a local guy at the marina that flips boat. The flipper painted the interior and got the engine running. The impeller was clogged. Now I come into the picture. We've negotiated the price down to $3900. The boat has a bimini, a roller furling jib, and a 2005 yamaha 4 stroke outboard. The interior seems to be in good condition. I see no water staining or mold under the cushions or the vbirth.

The boat does not come with a trailer. I've also yet to raise the sails and have a look. I guess I should do that as well!

I don't know the condition of the hull. My friend said the previous owner sailed it a lot. That's all I know really. Kinda looking for advice. All my experience is with trailer sailors made in the past ten years. A boat of this size and age is something new for me.

More pics can be seen here.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dsrphotography/with/22658070888/

IMG_20151118_082926527_HDR by Dom, on Flickr

IMG_20151118_082757139_HDR by Dom, on Flickr

IMG_20151118_083441363_HDR by Dom, on Flickr

IMG_20151118_083355529_HDR by Dom, on Flickr

IMG_20151118_082957750_HDR by Dom, on Flickr

IMG_20151118_082752860_HDR by Dom, on Flickr

IMG_20151118_083616735 by Dom, on Flickr

[MtnCarl]

I'd go for it!...  But try to get him down to $3500... But $3,900 ain't so bad if the engine is good.  Looks like a nice boat!

[HeaveToo]

Nice boat!  Go for it!

[jthatcher]

We bought a 1983  compac without a trailer..  the first couple of years were fine, although I found that it was costing me about 3k a year to keep it at the marina -   the fees seem to keep building up!   I ended up biting the bullet and had a new trailer made..  5 k  for that..    at this point,  I have "broken even", and it costs nothing to have the boat sitting in my yard ... but  I have a trailer that is worth more than my boat!   it is a really nice trailer       my point is , that  you might want to consider the idea that somewhere down the road,  buying a trailer could very likely  become a  part of the deal..  you will probably be able to pick one up cheaper in FL  than I found up here in  PA..      jt

[NateD]

I'm not an outboard expert, but when I've had cooling systems clog, the motor still runs. I'm a little suspicious about the motor dying and being reborn with only a new impeller.

But IF the motor is OK, and IF the sails are newer than original (jib probably is given the furler), then $3,900 is a fair price if it looks as good as it does in the pictures.

As JT points out, don't forget to factor in the monthly marina fees and the cost of paying them for haul outs if you don't plan to buy a trailer.

While I don't want to dissuade you from a ComPac, if you do plan to leave it in the water, have you considered a bigger boat? I loved my Com-Pac 23, but there are a lot of big boat expenses keeping it at the marina yet it lacks a lot of big boat comforts like standing headroom. I'm not against boats of this size (I just bought a Dolphin 24), but you can cut expenses significantly by stepping down to a ComPac 19, or increase comfort significantly by stepping up to a 27 without much more (ongoing) expense than the 23. Just a thought for you.

[carry-on]

Seems to me you need to get the boat on a lift so you can see the bottom and the keel. If you are going to keep the boat in the water, good bottom paint is a must......and the hull or keel could be a chunked up mess with blisters, amateur and repairs etc. The sails, rigging,( both standing and running) needs a check as well as the electrical. If you need to replace these items, the low purchase price will soon be forgotten.

No trailer, so is it a local boat? If so, somebody should know some history. I think there is a "Boat fax"(probably misspelled) for $25 or so you can search for repairs using the HIN. Of course  , if the repairs were self help, there would not be a record

Are you planning year round in the water? A trailer would be great but the 23 is not exactly a day sailer that you can dunk for a three or four hour afternoon sail.

Maybe run the motor in a tank and put it through a good range of rpms. If you need a carb and fuel pump installed by a mechanic, you could be out $350+.

The boat may be perfect for it's age and a fair price, but the present owner should prove the conditions to you. Give it the Missouri test!

[Mas]

A survey is a good place to start. We knew the history of our boat but still had one done. It uncovered some items that needed attention, some that should be addressed eventually and some useful thoughts on systems and appraised value.

We are very excited to have a special little sloop that can take us places that deeper draft or center board boats cannot. Plus they look nice! You will get lots of questions and conversation so plan on things taking a little longer to set sail!

[Mas]

also the 23 is a Clark Mills design as is the 16. They have good sea motion and handling for their size.

[domromer]

Thanks for all the responses. IN the end we passed on the boat. We got the price down to a reasonable level. But  the seller was a boat flipper and knew nothing of the boats history. I'm looking to buy a boat from someone who has owned it for a few years and has sailed it and knows the history. All my previous boats in the past were bought from boats owners that were sad to see the boat go, not a person out to make a quick buck. The search continues for the right boat. I know it's out there...I just have to be patient...not my strong suit.