First time out with Sweet Dreams, 1983 Com-pac 19

[DOUG142]

Well,
We finally made it out with our "new" 1983 Com-pac 19 sailboat, Sweet Dreams.
Went to Lake Kegonsa here in Wisconsin.  The journey is worth mentioning.  I go to hook up the trailer and the receiver that the previous owner has given us was TOO low, I couldn't retract the trailer jack alll the way, it still hit the ground.  Luck would have it, I had a bumper hitch that had a 2 inch ball.  The rating was questionable.  We decided to go for it.  Mind you its Sunday morning an no alot open for a new receiver for the 2 inch Reece hitch.  I couldn't trust the bumper hitch so along comes Wal-Mart in Whitewater.  STOP!   New 2inch ball, new 4 inch rise receiver.  The previous owner had welded the ball to the hitch....Darn.
Anyway,  put it all together hook up the trailer again,  chains don't reach.  Light hook up 4 pin flat connector is to short.  Fixed these short comings and on we went to go sailing on Lake Kegonsa.
We had stopped by there on Thursday and couldn't see how deep the docks were and the ramps.  Seemed like it dropped off fast.  Wrong.  After backing the boat, trailer and part of the truck into the lake, we found out that I get to try out the trailer extension.  Luck again, in that at least we have an trailer extension.  Nice one too.  Anyway, we have never used an extension on a trailer before.  Nice experience.

We got launched.
Motor started right up after I remembered to turn the fuel valve to open.

Off we went.  No wind.  After about 30 minutes the wind came up and we enjoyed about 3 hours of great sailing.  The com-pac 19 is very nice.  The foil rudder is great.
We both love our "new boat.
Nice day, 80 degree weather in Wisconsin.  Wow!.
Photos , some are on photobucket, under Sweet Dreams.  Click on World icon to the left.
Doug and Linda
Sweet Dreams
Com-pac 19

[Bob23]

Doug:
   Much congrats on "Sweet Dreams" maiden voyage. And we raise our glasses to toast many more happy days on the water to come!
   We all have to battle the trailer gremlins occasionally. I don't know where those little buggers hide but they sure can try one's patience.
   Again, congratulations!
Bob23
   

[brackish]

Hey a successful maiden voyage, can't beat that.  Boat looks great. 

Just about impossible to get a new boat and not have some trailer issues.  I think I now own every possible electric conversion connector known to man.  Glad to hear you had good luck with the extension.  I've been dreading trying mine out but have decided that the next time I'm at a ramp that even looks marginal I'll give it a shot if for no other reason than experience.  Mine is a single tongue type that telescopes out about 30" to get the extension.

[Salty19]

Congrats on the first sail.  Good that the trailer issues are behind you.  They can be frustrating!
What did you think of the sailing characteristics compared to the 16? 

[DOUG142]

Salty19,

Linda just loves the 19.  Says it is easier to launch and put the mast up than the 16.  She watched me rig the 16.  Now she winches the mast up with me just making sure it does not go side to side.  Using a "Gin" pole.  It works!

Compared to the 16?  Wow!  More stable even tho the 16 is a pretty stable boat.  We said while we were out Sunday that we even have room to bring along a couple of guest.  That in itself is funny because I read the 19 cockpit is actually shorter than the 16.  Wider boat makes more room.
Handles like a caddie vs a bouncy sports car.  Hows that?  You agree?   My foil rudder worked great, I had added an inch to the leading edge like before.  More response.  One time I failed to make my tack.  My fault.  Before the wind came up and not enough forward speed.

All in all a pretty nice boat and we both think this is it for us.  In the Spring I will be repainting the deck.  A light gray for the non slip areas.  Already have the paint, but it is suppose to turn colder now.   
Linda will be making the new cushion covers during the Winter.  Has everything for that project.

Need new lifelines with pelican hooks!!!  This one you have to screw in a bolt on the stern post.....kinda sucks....if wet hands, cold . Any recommendations?
Doug142
Sweet Dreams
cp-19
year 1983

[Salty19]

Good review.  Yep, she's a keeper!

Call hutchins and ask about "alligators" (aka pelican hooks). Touch and super easy to use.
I'll post a pic for you

[Salty19]

"Handles like a caddie vs a bouncy sports car.  Hows that?  You agree? "

Yea, that sounds about right.  With that said, I think the 19 points a little higher than the 16 did and it handles sudden gusts with ease instead of panic.    It is true the 19 cockpit is wider...much easier to take friends aboard now without banging knees.  Using a shorter tiller helps with passenger room even more.  We've enjoyed taking friends onboard this year which were were leary of doing with the 16--not because the boat would sink but there was just not room and she sailed poorly with excess aft weight.  The 19 does not seem to care.

[kickingbug1]

   doug, glad you love the boat. mike whats wrong with a little panic. we are going tommorrow with 10 to 20 mph winds maybe we can beat our 5.9 knot record. good sailing to you guys and of course the "ladies"

[DOUG142]

KICK'
Thanks,  The 19 is really a nice boat.  We still have the cushions to do, but that is Linda's project over the Winter.

We still haven't packed it away for the Winter yet.  Hope there will still be a "Indian Summer" up here and we can go out one more time.

Working on a foil rudder for Noble right now.

Get on the lake and go fast.  Let us know if you broke your speed record!

Let's have a Rendezvous 2011.

Doug

[Salty19]

I'll pray for an Indian Summer for ya, Doug!    Glad you are liking the new boat.  It's a keeper!

[kickingbug1]

   you guys should have been on carlyle yesterday. sustained 18 with 25 mph gusts. a little dicey to say the least. we were on the mainlake for about an hour and after rounding up a couple of times that was enough. thank god for jib furling. we spent the rest of the day sailing in allens branch. and made 5.5 knots there. i think we would have beat our record but we ran out of water. hope you get some good days yet. fair winds to all. rendezvous 2011 is doable---but someone needs to get a cabin again as that worked out great.   

[Salty19]

Doug,

Just curious if you've made progress on the cockpit cushions.  Will probably start that project in January or feb.  Thinking about using sunbrella to match the non-skid (similar to the color toast).  Top and sides.  On bottom, mesh/netting material for circulation and drainage.  Would be cool to put in piping between the seams but not sure if my sewing skills are up to snuff.  Two cushion pieces on each side/4 pieces total.  Split at the foreward end of the lockers.  Defender sells seafoam, thinking about the 2" type.

Interested in how Linda plans on constructing this...perhaps we can share notes.

[kickingbug1]

    there is something about old com-pac cushions. they are rough, ichy and butt ugly but hey it was the 80s and disco wasnt quite dead. i will redo mine someday as well. its a shame they are still in good shape. the next time i overnight on my 16 might be a solo sail of kentucky lake. my only concern is will my truck and trailer be there when i get back. you dont see much law enforcement down by those lakes. but i have decided that im gonna do it. now to give sarah the good news. doug let me know a good date for the rendezvous. ill do my part on this end. i still think a "race" is doable. who in the group could beat john j i would like to know,

[DOUG142]

Doug,

Just curious if you've made progress on the cockpit cushions.  Will probably start that project in January or feb.  Thinking about using sunbrella to match the non-skid (similar to the color toast).  Top and sides.  On bottom, mesh/netting material for circulation and drainage.  Would be cool to put in piping between the seams but not sure if my sewing skills are up to snuff.  Two cushion pieces on each side/4 pieces total.  Split at the foreward end of the lockers.  Defender sells seafoam, thinking about the 2" type.

Interested in how Linda plans on constructing this...perhaps we can share notes.

AHHHHHHHHH! The cushion project.  Linda is using a heavy cotton duck "White and blue  and White and Red  "  Kinda cool looking with piping on the seams, zippers, the original foam looks still okay.  Bottom sides will have a vinyl.   
Me, been busy with work and I made Noble a foil rudder for his 16.  He got it in time for Christmas but now has to wait for Spring to go sailing.
Snow is on the ground here.
Merry Christmas all.
Doug and Linda

[rwdsr]

Kick,
Let me know when you get ready to do that solo sail on Kentucky, I might link up with you.  One of the reason's I like Paris Landing is that it is patrolled day and night.  I don't have any 2d thoughts about leaving my vehicle and trailer there.  That and they just have good folks running that place.  Campground right there on the marina grounds and you get a heckuva nice break on the slip rates when you rent a campsite.
BobD