New owner of a compac 23

[Eliza]

Just popped in to say hello and introduce myself...My name is Eliza and I just purchased a 1994 com pac 23. I am in Newington, New Hampshire at Great Bay marine. I'm new to sailing the Atlantic, and never set up rigging a boat. Many new adventures in the near future once I figure out how to rig this  baby and get her into the water! Cheers!

[nicktulloh]

Eliza,

My 2013 SunCat is on a mooring just around the point from you at Adams Point, just north of Jackson Lab. I live in Durham on the Newmarket town line, Rte 108.

I've had a couple of Compac 19s and if there's anything I can do to lend a hand, just drop me a line. Not to give the impression that I know what I am doing but ......

Nick

nicktulloh@comcast.net    603-339-1225

[Bob23]

Welcome, Eliza. I own one of your boats older sisters, 1985 23/2. Are you talking about the standing rigging? Do you have a manual? Maybe all the stays and shrouds are a bit intimidating but once it's rigged, it'll all make sense and the factory manual, while basic, is a big help in sorting out the rigging.
Again, welcome!!
Bob23 and "Koinonia", 1985 23/2 in Surf City, NJ

[jthatcher]

Hi Eliza,
   jt here... i used to live in wolfeboro.. moved back to my home state of PA  15 years ago, but now spend 5 months of the year in Mt Desert ME.. wish you were just a bit closer!   i have been looking for a compac sailer up here, because my 23 is sitting on its trailer back home     best of luck with the new boat - what a pretty area to sail.     we love stopping in portsmouth  on our trips back and forth..  always have to stop at  Breaking New Grounds ..   and we  enjoy Newick's from time to time as well..    looking forward to hearing about your adventures aboard your new boat this summer!   

[nicktulloh]

I have a dramatically better alternative to Newick's. Next time try http://www.chaunceycreek.com/ 

[Eliza]

Thanks for the welcome posts! She's all set up and in the water! (For a month now)Couple of snaffoos, I had no idea how to set up a Dutchman system and the flexifurler system was so worn, the line that works the carriage kept getting stuck at the top of the furler, so,1 crane and three men later (sounds like a joke eh? Lol) she's all set, although I need to replace the furler at the end of the season, the ol salty that I consulted with recommended the Schaeffer system.
   Lovely area up here, lots of places to explore on the east coast, wicked current here in the Pascataqua for sure! This is very different from BC Canada for sure! Have a great sailing season, hopeful to check back in with a pic or 2!!   Eliza 
           

[jthatcher]

looking forward to pics...  and stories of your adventures!   jt

[Potcake boy]

Hello Eliza,

I'm confident that your 23 will provide many wonderful days of sailing, and be a very good platform on which to learn. Com-Pacs are pretty forgiving of mistakes so you can go with confidence.

My unsolicited opinion on furler choice: I have owned both the Snap Furl and CDI furlers. No complaints about the operation of either, and if there is any difference in performance it would be inconsequential on the 23. The Snap Furl can be installed without removing your headstay, but the two halves come coiled and are a bit of a job to get straightened enough to work with. Once installed they stay together just fine. The CDI furler requires removal of the forestay so you might consider installing during your lay up when you can easily unship the mast.

The CDI is less expensive and has a flexible foil and a self contained halyard which leaves your jib halyard free and you can leave the jib on the furler when you lower the mast. Plus, the internal halyard used eliminates the potential of a halyard wrap.

The Snap Furl is a good piece of equipment and works well and also has a flexible foil but uses you jib halyard for the hoist. You can more easily adjust your jib luff tension if you are so inclined, but must keep the halyard tight enough to avoid a halyard wrap around the top swivel. That last point is very important, as the wrap will occur and jam the furler when you urgently need to roll up the jib.

I recommend you consider both, and I believe they are the only flexible foil choices currently on the market. If you don't plan to drop your mast often, you may also wish to consider rigid foil furlers of which there are many more to choose from.

So there is your first winter time decision making process to keep away the winter sailors' blues.

Sail safe and happy.