WTB CP16/3/XL or CP16CB

[Les]

Looking for CP16/3/XL (1992-2002) or a CP16CB (1996-2002) in good shape, ready to sail. Live in Texas, willing to travel a bit for a good boat.

I can't make up my mind which of these boats would be better, the 3/XL is simpler but the CP16CB will probably point higher (with something else to go wrong, too!). Easiest solution is look for both and see what happens.

Les

[Gil Weiss]

I have a 1990 CP16/3 (no CB) with a foiled rudder and it points and handles just fine. Having had center board boats and having sailed my CP16 for 5 years now, I vote for NO CB!. Less stuff to worry about and possibly leak or break!

My 2 cents!

[Les]

Thanks for the input, Gil.
Les

[Craig Weis]

Hi Les.
I can not think of a good reason to have a centerboard. They take up room with the trunk, [Although the 16's have 'the trunk' inside of the keel and this is a non-issue for a 16 owner] they leak, shake, rattle and bump about enough to make a sailor think he's going down. And that's if they remember to put the darn thing down.

So go with a fixed  [less then two foot]  keel. The boat likes it and sails OK for what it is. A Com-Pac Yacht. It's no Lazer, or Penquin, or some club racer...

Sailors who say they can't sail to wind enough usually 'pinch~up' too tight anyway with whatever they are sailing and when it comes time to round the mark they go to irons, or have to tack once more to push that bow around.

Just like in automobile driving the driver needs to think past the hood ornament [and not play with the entertainment systems]...a sailor has to think past the bow pulpit in order to be a effective 'keel hauler'. And that's my two cents.

Was there ever a question about center boards. Kind of a pain. Plus the weight of the keel really helps the sea kindlyness of the boat. Ever pound on the waves when beating it home? You want a keel.

One last thing, THE SMALLER THE BOAT, THE FASTER THINGS HAPPEN...LIKE ROUNDING UP, OR DIPPING THE RAIL, ECT.skip

[Les]

Thanks for giving me the dirt, Skip. I thought long and hard about a 19, but it is a yacht compared to the 16, since I am just learning to sail I figured the little boat would be easier to singlehand. I am 6 feet tall and I hope to fit (watch me get 3 foot-itis).

[Craig Weis]

Les
OK a C-P 16 without a centerboard is it now?

Just remember that the   "smaller the boat, the faster things happen"    and your natural sailing instinks take over before the mind tells you to do the right thing.

That is why generally speaking the better sailors learned on small, fast, flitty, tender sailing craft. Those guys have a sixth sense about what drives a boat and about the nature of a boat. skip.

[B.Hart]

You cant go wrong with a 16, once you outgrow it you can allways go larger.I think the 16 is a great day sailor  thatcan be cruised.        BILL

[B.Hart]

also, I don't think you need the cb on the 16, more headaces than needed. LET'S SAIL!!

[Les]

Bill, I appreciate your comments. I am looking forward to having a Com-Pac and spending time on the water. I hope to see a CB versus a keel boat just to satisfy my curiosity but I have certainly noticed that NO ONE is wild about the centerboard version.

Thanks!

Les

[doug]

I have a CB version of the 16 and am very happy with it but I can't tell you how much it improves the ability to point as I alway use it tacking and lift it running with the wind. With the CB, and practice, my 16 points as well as other boats out on the river or bay. My neighbor has a 16 without a center board and it will be interesting to compare the two with the same wind (different captains). The downside to any CB is some amount of noise (vibration) and extra work  (I used my neighbors lift to install a new line to the CB as it was getting stuck inside the keel). If you like the 16 you will probably like either version. Does the CP16/3/XL have the same sail plan as the CP16CB? I know my 16 came with a traveler and the cleats for the jib are forward  (on top of the cabin) compared to older 16's causing the jib sheet to be inside instead of outside the shroud and the mast has spreaders which earlier 16's lack. Can't say I know which is best, only different. Either way its great to be sailing.

[idouglas]

I have a 1994 CP/16/XL.  The jib sheets run outside the shrouds back to tracks (for the genoa.)  My XL has spreaders and lots of goodies like life-lines (gives it a real bib boat look), clear Plexiglas hatch forward, and headliner in the cabin.  Over the winter I bought an idasailor rudder which, according to this forum, should help with the pointing.  Less hassle is always better.  I vote for the XL over the CB.  With all the possible difficulties with a center board, why add problems to one's life?  I love the XL, although I'm having the classic problem of leaking scuppers.

idouglas

[Les]

What a great forum! I finally get to hear from a CP16CB owner and an 3/XL - thanks very much to both Doug & Idouglas.

From what I have read, the CB & the 3/XL stock boats are identical except for the c/b. They had the same options.

Having never been on a 16, if you are six feet tall is she comfortable enough? I am very used to primitive camping and backpacking. Does your head hit the clouds when you are using the old potty? Can you squeeze into a berth?

I think either boat will work for me as a camp/cruiser, it boils down to what I can find. I intend to get a good one and bring her back to as new shape as possible. Anyone out there sail the Laguna Madre in Texas in a 16?

Les