I Finally own a Com-Pac!

[neosoul]

Folks,
After jumping through many hurdles for almost two years, I am very excited to announce that I have finally purchased a Com-Pac!! It's a 1985 CP-19/2 and I paid $3,500.
I am located in Southold NY (On the Peconic Bay) and my boat is currently in Maryland. My cousin who lives in MD is going to drive with me, back to NY, in case anything should happen while transporting the boat.
To get ready for the trip, I replaced the tires on the modified Loadmaster trailer and purchased a wheel bearing kit. Your thoughts about transporting the boat and suggestions regarding the best route are welcomed.

What is KILLING ME is that I won't be able to pick it up until the weekend after memorial day - 2 weeks from now. So in the interim, I was wondering what advice do you have for me as a new owner? The boat is MINT condition. It comes with updated running and standing rigging (less than a year old.), no roller furler, and it has a headsail that looks to be a 110% multi-colored Genoa from another boat. The mainsail is original but seems to have some life left in it. There's also a a storm jib that look to be brand new. I have two rudders, the original and the IdaSailor rudder and an Evinrude 2 cycle 8HP comes with it too. I will be mooring the boat, so any advice about that would also be greatly appreciated.

Although, I am very excited about this boat, let me share the underlying reason for getting this boat and why it really means a great deal to me is because I have a 14 year old autistic son diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Although he is highly functional academically, he has no friends in school or in the neighborhood. He really enjoyed sailing and it is my hope to nurture his love of sailing and to simply spend some quality time with him. I also have two younger children with my youngest truly loving being out on the water. (My middle guy would rather play video games, so I am trying to get him out too.)  My wife really did not like my other boats -  an O'day Javelin & O'day Daysailer II - because they felt too "tippy" for her, so this boat should solve all these problems without breaking the bank for me.

Anyway, it feels really good to finally post here as an owner of ABV00282K485!

Cheers!
Neo

[NateD]

Congratulations! Glad you found a good one.

I've towed boats all over the place, and I always over prepare and bring a bunch of spares and tools. So far, I've never needed most of the stuff. But I'm afraid as soon as I leave it all at home, something will happen.

If you've already put new tires on the trailer (and have a spare), greased the bearings, and checked the lights, then there is a pretty high probably of not having any trailer issues (other than getting the boat on to it).

Make sure you bring a jack that will work with the trailer (some jacks that come with cars might not work). Bring a bunch of extra line/bungees to secure the mast/boom/rigging while towing. I've also used plastic zip ties to secure rigging when towing. You can use duct tape as a last resort, but then you have to clean the residue off stuff later.

One thing to check is if your car insurance policy covers road side assistance for trailers. I think it costs me about $1/month to have towing/road side assistance on my truck, and they said it would cover any trailer I was towing as well. I like being self sufficient, but trying to replace a burnt out bearing on the side of a freeway is a scary idea, so I'm glad to know I can call in a flat bed to haul the whole thing home as a worst case.

[MacGyver]

ConGrats Neosoul!
I am glad to see it happen for you. You will enjoy the 19, it is a fantastic boat.

NateD,

On the subject of the duct tape, take and use a strip or 2 with the sticky side up away from the parts, then twist and put the sticky sides together. This keeps the glue off the parts and also reinforces the tape.

Mac

[Lafayette Bruce]

Congratulations Neosoul.  We are practically related.  I have hull 281 so your boat is a couple days younger than mine.  It sounds like we even have the same outboard.  (Been a great motor, maybe a little overpowered for the 19 but it is so dependable that I can't justify replacement.)



You will love the boat.  It sounds like your are taking all the right percautions for the upcoming trip and you should be in good shape.  Once you get it home you will have a lifetime to personalize it and enjoy every minute of it.
Lafayette Bruce

[frank]

Congrats and remember.....pictures...we need pictures  :-)

[skip1930]

Very nice post Neo.

The Com Pac-19 is a fine and stable boat. Hummm ... what to look for or do to the boat prior to transporting and eventually rigging it for mooring and sailing.

Fresh grease and a fast check for rust weakened trailer rails.
What you want to do after the hitch is down on the 2 inch ball, is to skinny under the 2 inch hitch with a socket and ratchet and screw the hitch adjusting nut up to or away from the ball [it could be too tight or too loose, so check].
Now take a jack and jack up the trailer so the tow vehicle is lifted up on the suspension, but not so high that the tires leave the pavement.
If the hitch doesn't pop off the ball ... good enough. If it pops off, tighten the nut.

Check to see if the trailer hull bunks conform to the curve of the hull and supporting some of the weight, and that the keel sits either on a board or on some rollers and the majority of the weight.

It sure would be on my list to fit a quality furler on the boat similar to a Harken '0-0'. That way people don't need to go forward to tend to that sail. Consider a block and a line going back to the cockpit to pull the sail down, but once down that bulky sail is down it will have to be secured in some way. Plus it will be in the way when mooring. A furler will help immensely.

Check the main sail battens, I'll bet they will be cracked. Does this boat have a rolling boom or a Jiffy Quick Furling? Does the main have the Jiffy Quick grommets, and line through the sail to tie the sail to the boom?  

Sail with the IdaSailor rudder [consider a hold down bolt, that pinch bolt nonsense never holds the rudder down when sailing through grass] and install some bronze shoulder bushings to take the slop out of the aluminum castings and to provide a bearing surface. The old original rudder could be used to saw cut four new bars for the motor mount to push the O/B engine further off the stern.

A new three strand nylon mooring line [with a pick-up buoy] fitted with fiddles in the eyes would be desirable as well as galvanized clevis that is safety wired. Be sure to wrap the mooring line with a canvas or leather chaffing cuff where it rests in the mooring chalk.

I run a 5 hp two cycle, use non-gasohol fuel, any and all of my problems came from fuel delivery. Mostly the ingress of air in the fuel line and fagged out pulse fuel pump diaphragms caused by gasohol.

My friend's 26 year old autistic son [an only child] has Asperger's Syndrome, he has no friends, and tries to reach out on facebook. He tries to arrange meetings with girls. I can not get him to go sailing ... I'd take him and a friends if he could arrange it. Please Private Message me if you have any ideas.

Consider 'sail camping' on board with a boom tent ... oh drop a cable from the rear standing rigging to support the boom with a quick disconnect clip. Don't hang the anchor on the bow pulpit and secure it to the deck. The sail could snag on it hung on the pulpit. Also carry a light Danforth 'lunch' anchor and 50 foot of line in the settee. Tie it off on the stern cleat for a hour or so stop.

The foredeck on a CP-19 is so small it takes nothing to become over crowded and dangerous. Is the boat fitted with safety lines? Use those lines to tie down the boom tent.

Consider LED lamps all around. Carry a three pound coffee can in a bridle. Use mine all the time as a 'can', as a shock absorber at dockside or anchor, to slow the boat when surfing, and to bring water on deck for scrubbing dirt off with a nylon bristle brush and car wash soap.

Carry a lot of extra line. An extra 100 foot wouldn't hurt with three or for pieces of 20 foot line. And a handful of small stuff.

Once I towed a 30+ foot sailboat for about 15 miles that had a broken engine and becalmed back to Sturgeon Bay through two draw bridges right to his dock.

I made a very nice bridle that did a fine job. Interestingly this towed boat did not have enough line to do the job ... geeee, some people's kids. Some skippers never look further past the bow sprit if you know what I mean.

All of these suggestions can be discussed and considered in previous posts.

skip.

[Craig]

If you put a downhaul on the jib and add a net/lacing to the pulpit and/or lifelines, the downhaul and sheets(pull them tight on lee side after the jib is down) will do a pretty good job of controlling the jib and the net will keep it from going overboard. No reefing/furling but you won't have to go forward immediately when you douse the the jib and the price is right! By the way, know Southold well having spent many wonderful summers at my grandfather's place near Orient Point (Look for Deidrick Rd on Google maps) I love the area!

[noonmark]

Hi Neo,

I am also in Southold! Congrats on your new boat. I also have a CP-19, its been a great boat for our shallow bays, you'll love it. The only other Com Pac I've seen around here is a 16 that I've never seen leave its mooring. Look forward to seeing you out there. While I have only sailed her for one season, I would be happy to help if you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

[neosoul]

Congratulations! Glad you found a good one.

I've towed boats all over the place, and I always over prepare and bring a bunch of spares and tools. So far, I've never needed most of the stuff. But I'm afraid as soon as I leave it all at home, something will happen.

If you've already put new tires on the trailer (and have a spare), greased the bearings, and checked the lights, then there is a pretty high probably of not having any trailer issues (other than getting the boat on to it).

Make sure you bring a jack that will work with the trailer (some jacks that come with cars might not work). Bring a bunch of extra line/bungees to secure the mast/boom/rigging while towing. I've also used plastic zip ties to secure rigging when towing. You can use duct tape as a last resort, but then you have to clean the residue off stuff later.

One thing to check is if your car insurance policy covers road side assistance for trailers. I think it costs me about $1/month to have towing/road side assistance on my truck, and they said it would cover any trailer I was towing as well. I like being self sufficient, but trying to replace a burnt out bearing on the side of a freeway is a scary idea, so I'm glad to know I can call in a flat bed to haul the whole thing home as a worst case.

Nate - Thanks for the advice I'm not too familiar with long trips with a trailer so this is all good advice, especially the info regarding road side assistance.

[neosoul]

Congratulations Neosoul.  We are practically related.  I have hull 281 so your boat is a couple days younger than mine.  It sounds like we even have the same outboard.  (Been a great motor, maybe a little overpowered for the 19 but it is so dependable that I can't justify replacement.)



You will love the boat.  It sounds like your are taking all the right percautions for the upcoming trip and you should be in good shape.  Once you get it home you will have a lifetime to personalize it and enjoy every minute of it.
Lafayette Bruce

My Brother from a different Mother! Thanks for the kind words and the photo. Your boat looks great! I'll be sure to send some photos your way when I can. How long have you owned yours?

[neosoul]

Very nice post Neo.

The Com Pac-19 is a fine and stable boat. Hummm ... what to look for or do to the boat prior to transporting and eventually rigging it for mooring and sailing.

Fresh grease and a fast check for rust weakened trailer rails.
What you want to do after the hitch is down on the 2 inch ball, is to skinny under the 2 inch hitch with a socket and ratchet and screw the hitch adjusting nut up to or away from the ball [it could be too tight or too loose, so check].
Now take a jack and jack up the trailer so the tow vehicle is lifted up on the suspension, but not so high that the tires leave the pavement.
If the hitch doesn't pop off the ball ... good enough. If it pops off, tighten the nut.

Check to see if the trailer hull bunks conform to the curve of the hull and supporting some of the weight, and that the keel sits either on a board or on some rollers and the majority of the weight.

It sure would be on my list to fit a quality furler on the boat similar to a Harken '0-0'. That way people don't need to go forward to tend to that sail. Consider a block and a line going back to the cockpit to pull the sail down, but once down that bulky sail is down it will have to be secured in some way. Plus it will be in the way when mooring. A furler will help immensely.

Check the main sail battens, I'll bet they will be cracked. Does this boat have a rolling boom or a Jiffy Quick Furling? Does the main have the Jiffy Quick grommets, and line through the sail to tie the sail to the boom?  

Sail with the IdaSailor rudder [consider a hold down bolt, that pinch bolt nonsense never holds the rudder down when sailing through grass] and install some bronze shoulder bushings to take the slop out of the aluminum castings and to provide a bearing surface. The old original rudder could be used to saw cut four new bars for the motor mount to push the O/B engine further off the stern.

A new three strand nylon mooring line [with a pick-up buoy] fitted with fiddles in the eyes would be desirable as well as galvanized clevis that is safety wired. Be sure to wrap the mooring line with a canvas or leather chaffing cuff where it rests in the mooring chalk.

I run a 5 hp two cycle, use non-gasohol fuel, any and all of my problems came from fuel delivery. Mostly the ingress of air in the fuel line and fagged out pulse fuel pump diaphragms caused by gasohol.

My friend's 26 year old autistic son [an only child] has Asperger's Syndrome, he has no friends, and tries to reach out on facebook. He tries to arrange meetings with girls. I can not get him to go sailing ... I'd take him and a friends if he could arrange it. Please Private Message me if you have any ideas.

Consider 'sail camping' on board with a boom tent ... oh drop a cable from the rear standing rigging to support the boom with a quick disconnect clip. Don't hang the anchor on the bow pulpit and secure it to the deck. The sail could snag on it hung on the pulpit. Also carry a light Danforth 'lunch' anchor and 50 foot of line in the settee. Tie it off on the stern cleat for a hour or so stop.

The foredeck on a CP-19 is so small it takes nothing to become over crowded and dangerous. Is the boat fitted with safety lines? Use those lines to tie down the boom tent.

Consider LED lamps all around. Carry a three pound coffee can in a bridle. Use mine all the time as a 'can', as a shock absorber at dockside or anchor, to slow the boat when surfing, and to bring water on deck for scrubbing dirt off with a nylon bristle brush and car wash soap.

Carry a lot of extra line. An extra 100 foot wouldn't hurt with three or for pieces of 20 foot line. And a handful of small stuff.

Once I towed a 30+ foot sailboat for about 15 miles that had a broken engine and becalmed back to Sturgeon Bay through two draw bridges right to his dock.

I made a very nice bridle that did a fine job. Interestingly this towed boat did not have enough line to do the job ... geeee, some people's kids. Some skippers never look further past the bow sprit if you know what I mean.

All of these suggestions can be discussed and considered in previous posts.

skip.

Skip, I appreciate you sharing this with me. You sure gave me much to consider and I will be sure to send you a PM on how things go with my son on the boat. THANKS!

[neosoul]

If you put a downhaul on the jib and add a net/lacing to the pulpit and/or lifelines, the downhaul and sheets(pull them tight on lee side after the jib is down) will do a pretty good job of controlling the jib and the net will keep it from going overboard. No reefing/furling but you won't have to go forward immediately when you douse the the jib and the price is right! By the way, know Southold well having spent many wonderful summers at my grandfather's place near Orient Point (Look for Deidrick Rd on Google maps) I love the area!

That's a great idea! This sounds like something I may want to do right away. Do you have this on your boat? BTW - Your grandfather's place is less than 10 miles from where I live.

[neosoul]

Hi Neo,

I am also in Southold! Congrats on your new boat. I also have a CP-19, its been a great boat for our shallow bays, you'll love it. The only other Com Pac I've seen around here is a 16 that I've never seen leave its mooring. Look forward to seeing you out there. While I have only sailed her for one season, I would be happy to help if you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

Hi Neighbor! And thanks for being so neighborly! I will send you a PM