What to look for in a used 19?

[NormD]

As I continue to search for the perfect 19 for my wife and myself, I humbly ask you experienced Com-Pac 19 owners:

What are the most important areas to check out when looking to purchase a good used Com-Pac 19? I'm not new to sailboats, just asking for specific Com-Pac 19 related data.

Many thanks - Norm

[Craig Weis]

Had better learn to look for imperfections in the glass. Fiberglass on Com-Pacs are handlay-up woven impregnated matt and NOT the cheaper blowen-in chop gun fiberglass. No finer method of glass mold construction then that of a Com-Pac.

These boats are so 'strong' that in theory one could lift the entire 2000 lb boat with a crane via the masthead.

About the boat...head height is a little low below the decks, no problem for me. I love to anchor out in thunder and lightening storms and ride on anchor in winds. I love the rest. Heaving too is also a great thrill.

There is no filler, or core to soak up water and rot. That is the one beef I have about Nonsuch sailboats. A balsawood core in the deckhouse. Even though it is all above the waterline, it is still on the Nonsuch.

Look at all the places that may have been stressed. Standing rigging attachment points, under the mast step, look for signs of impacts such as hitting a dock. The rubrail rubber, is it all beat up? If she looks a little weathered and chalky then try a small bit of aggressive polish and see if the dead color can be brighten up. If it can, and there is a lot of it, guess what you'll be rubbing out? LOL. skip.

Many other posts about this very subject. So click on 'skip' [upper left, then 'profile info', 'show posts'] in this post and then review my posts as listed. This is a great feature in this site. As good second only to 'Spell Check'. skip.

[NormD]

Thanks skip.

After I posted this thread, I did go back and read some of the older threads on the 19. A lot of very useful information for sure.

Anyway, I found a nice 1994 19III and bought her! Just like Marcus, I bought her sight unseen other than the pics sent by the owner. I usually do things that way and it works out fine.
Naturally I'm expecting to do some maintenance + I'm ordering new sails and furling gear from JSI, and I already have a brand new 4hp Suzuki outboard, so that rules out a couple of things.
The boat is about 500 miles away so I didn't relish the thought of making a double trip at this time of year in these latitudes!

I'll be picking up the boat as soon as the weather breaks.
I'll be sailing her from a dock rather than trailer sailing, so as long as the trailer makes the trip home, that's about all I expect of it. The previous owner stated that the trailer has new bearings and tires.

One thing I do have a question about:

Is it necessary to tie down the boat at the rear of the trailer, say accross the cockpit? I hauled my SunCat all over with just the winch cable attached. Apparently Hutchins advised towing her this way to avoid chafe between tie downs and the hull.
I never had any problems in over 1000 miles towing with the SunCat this way, but nevertheless, I'd like to hear from other 19 owners on this subject.

[Gil Weiss]

DEFINATELY RUN A TRAILER STRAP TIE DOWN ACROSS THE BOAT NEAR THE TRAILER AXEL!!!!! EITHER AT THE AXEL OR SLIGHTLY BEHIND IT!!!!

A 1994 should be in pretty good shape as these boats are built like tanks.

Enjoy, Gil

[Craig Weis]

Just a cable through the bow ring, I never tie the stern down, as the keel within the keel boards keeps the hull centered OK. If she comes off the trailer the stern strap is not going to be a big help, me thinks. skip.

[JLaman]

I always use a stern strap, but it's probably not necessary on the route I take to the ramp.  Roads are smooth and I surely won't accelerate fast enough to leave the boat behind.  Years ago I saw a guy and his son standing in the median during a rain storm looking at their 18ft fishing boat, about 100 yards from the trailer and the pickup!  That scene cured me of thinking a stern strap takes too much time! The stap does leave some marks on the hull, but I'll accept that.

[B.Hart]

I allways strap my boat down, a friend of mine had his bass boat unwinch itself and come off the trailer. better safe than sorry. I use small carpet squares under the strap to protect the boats finish.   BILL

[NormD]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

Since this is going to be a 650 mile highway trip, we'll play it safe and strap her down good. I'm thinking of using small rectangular pieces of carpet taped to the hull with duct tape under the straps to avoid the chafe. Should work. I'll remove the duct tape at the end of the trip to avoid the messy glue residue!

[JLaman]

Another suggestion since I tow about 8 miles on the freeway to the launch each time -- put a couple of twists in the strap between the gunwale and the trailer on both sides.  This will keep the strap from vibrating back and forth due to the wind at highway speeds.  It'll really sing if you don't.  That's how marks get into the hull -- by the vibration of the strap.  Also, cut the extra length of the strap off as short as you can to prevent that from whipping around.  Have a safe and pleasant trip!

[Craig Weis]

You know I don't strap down the boat at the stern. It's not for time, it's not for marks in the glass, but knowing me I probably overtighten and cause something to break.

Ohhhhhhh yea...when the stern goes down the bow goes up. My boat rocks on the forward roller, never even touches the other three rollers unless the bow winch strap is loose. Strange. The rollers are not welded on the same plan.

That short stocky keel seems to be the saving grace with the bow pulled tight into the vee-block.

BUT when I flat tow my equipment as much as 16,000, lbs the straps are on, always two to what ever is hauled. Usually also some chains and chain binders, a good chunk of pipe to really bind the load, and yes the twisted straps do quiet the 'singing'.  The 'five miles to the gallon gang' rigging trick. skip.

[mgoller]

Well,
Congratulations.  If you bought a CP19III, you're doing good already.  If anything is amiss, (doubtful)  it is one of the pleasures of boating. 
Mine is now so nice, I have turned my attention to a winter project of restoring a 1958 VW ragtop.  Wont tow the boat but good mileage.  I bought the VW off ebay sight unseen, drove down to Tennessee to get her.  And, just my luck, better than I'd hoped.  Just fired the engine yesterday after it had sat for 25 years.  Strong and sporty sound from the flat four!
The kind of people that buy and sail ComPacs aren't often boat abusers, so sight unseen works pretty well.
When I picked up mine, she was in better shape than the photos had let on.  The trailer I got was a shorelander and she is a beast.  I think the trailer weighs as much as the boat.
Its all worked out very well.
The 19 has held up well in very rough conditions.  I have nothing but praise for builders of the ComPac.