marine head; best location?

[mayrel]

We're researching pocket cruisers, specifically the ComPac 19/23 and Suncat, Seaward Fox and 23/24.  Based on our intended use, we want a boat we can reasonably cruise for two weeks or more.  All these boats have adequate sleeping/storage, but each lacks in a really "nice" head.  With that said, I've seen owners' relocate the head in the Compac 23 just behind the forward bulkhead; that seems to work well?  But on the Compac 19 there just doesn't seem to be a good place to relocate the head.  Any suggestions/comments will be appreciated.  As much as I like the Compac 23, the 19 is more appealing for the obvious reasons.

[Potcake boy]

Mayrel,
I own a CP 19 and you are right, there is no place to relocate the potti that would be any better.
I appreciate your understanding the advantage of the 19 in terms of trailering, but as you pointed out once on the water the 23 certainly does offer more cabin space.
However more to the point, what are your needs/requirements for the head? There may be another solution available to you.
Keep in mind that the CP19 is a minimal pocket cruiser that is beautiful in it's simplicity and ease of trailering (that is launch/retrieval included). The larger the trailer boat the more effort to get her to and into the water.
If you can leave the boat in the water, the choices are easier, usually only limited by your bank balance. You could even get multiple heads in some of the really big ones (sorry - just a flight of fantasy there).

Ron

[Craig Weis]

If your buying a boat for the head...don't buy a Com-Pac 19. Go with the Com-Pac 23...still not a comfy two weeker, unless your into two man pup-tent camping and you use a 5 gallon pail as a potti.

Hake boatbuilding, who makes the Seaward Fox, uses a similar cabin lay out, and no wonder...Hake worked for Hutchins Boat building and has his own shop down the road from Hutchins. The two fellows engage in friendly banter at the All Sail Boat Show in Chicago, it's really funny. A couple old southern crackers...

I think the Com-Pac 19 sails better then the Fox, as the Fox is too wide and the beam to waterline length ratio would indicate that the Fox is slower. I cannot remember if there is a center board to deal with. Our friends have a Seaward 26 short keel with horizontal fins and they tow that all over the place. They just returned from the North Channel, putting in at Little Current, Ont. Of course they have a 2008 GMC 1 ton Diesel P-up truck, and that Seaward weighs a bunch more then my Com-Pac 19. Buy a couple of tons...but she sails knots faster.

As for the Sun Cat she is even smaller and being a newly molded boat hull the mold costs have not yet been amortized enough to lower the cost. And being a gaff rigged cat boat the insides always seam to be a bit spars. My neighbor has a 20 foot Marshall cat and it looks rather uninviting below. Hard and cold. Not warm and soft as my 19. skip

[mayrel]

Thanks for all the good comments.  I've recently researched some fine new portapottis' that will work fine.  Your point on desired use of the boat is certainly paramont in deciding which to buy.  And there are always trade-offs; cost, size and maintenance being in the forefront.  Considering our cruising grounds will vary, yet mostly in the ICW and shallow waters, with an occassional blue water sail, we've narrowed our search down to a Compac 23.  With a new self contained/flushing portatpotti, we'll be fine.  We plan to alternate anchoring out with marina stays, so the head will be used minimally on the boat.  After having owned a Morgan OutIsland 30 with an electric masserater head/holding tank, the simplicity of a portatpotti is appealing, not to mention the thru-hull issues associated with a marine head/holding tank. 

[Potcake boy]

Cool, and I see someone has just posted a 23 for sale - but not sure where it is located.
Happy hunting,
Ron

[Craig Weis]

I heard 'electric' watch the battery use. skip.

[Potcake boy]

Mayrel,

Did you ever find a suitable 23' to purchase?

Ron