new cp16 owner

[kearns]

Hi Everyone,

In January I purchased a 1987 16/II #2458.  I'll try to insert an image below but I am new to this site and I may make mistakes.  Thanks to the relatively warm winter here in Pittsburgh, I was able to a significant amount of work on the boat during the winter months while she sat in my driveway, including:

• 
  removed, varnished, and resealed all wood deckware.
  removed and resealed much of the deck hardward, such as cleats, jib track, etc...
  sanded and varnished all interior wood
  resealed deck / hull joint after removal of rubrail
  removed all decals including cove stripe and bad looking water line (a very tough job made somewhat easier by a 3m product called the "eraser")
  new stripes, including water line with tape from Hutchins
  new spreaders
  new mainsheet
  new battery
  removal of masthead light
  polished and waxed the hull (many, many times) to restore the luster
  restoration of the mahagony cabin door (a friend with woodworking skills did this for me)
  repaired cracked cabin sole
  sanded bottom and applied West System epoxy to small blisters and cracks
  applied ablative, multiyear antifouling bottom paint
  applied graphic for new name "Brown Eyed Girl"

I've sailed and owned many boats under 22 feet and grew up sailing on the lakes of Northern Indiana.  Most of my sailing has been in relatively fast boats (C Scow, E Scow, Flying Scot, Capri 22, O'Day Daysailer, Hobies of various types) and, of course, I knew that the Compac 16 would not come even close to those performance standards.  Nonetheless, I selected the boat because of its legendary stability and ease of sailing.  I sail alone quite often and I enjoy sailing in heavy air.  I've had the boat out twice now, alone, in winds of 17-20 and have felt totally confident.  Moreover, I have been pleasantly surprised by her sailing qualities.  In have found that she points better than I expected (although I have experienced the "slide") and in a blow she move nicely.  Mine has a nice neutral helm (the bowsprit helps move the center of effort forward) and she'll move along in light air as well with a little concentration and patience.  I have indeed noticed the tendancy that some of you have discussed to fall off after a tack (she wants to keep turning) but again, with some concentration, I can bring her through the tack reasonably well.  Next year I'll add the Ida Rudder, which should help.  Finally, I love the looks.  When I pulled into my sailing club lot at the beginning of the season, the members just gawked at her .... they gathered around and really admired her looks.

Last item that some of you have mentioned ... the trailer is horrible.  I've had to add a bunch of stuff onto the trailer near the hitch to increase the tongue weight and stop the darn thing from swaying behind me.   The trip with the boat from Bloomington IN, in January was a nightmare.

Anyway, I've learned a lot from you guys.  Thanks for the advice.

Kevin, Pittsburgh


p.s.  Well, I tried to insert an image, but I'll need to check with the instructions.... sorry

[jthatcher]

Hi Kevin,  welcome to the site.. sounds like you did a bunch of work to your boat.. can't wait to see the pics!   Spartan is also from the pittsburgh area.  he has his boat at moraine state park.. maybe you have already been in touch with him?   what part of pittsburgh are you from?  i graduated from duquesne in 82  - wow.. that was a long time ago!     we are in eastern pa, but our boat is in jersey on barnegat bay..  along with the infamous  bob23..   where have you taken to boat?   good luck with the season - let us know if you get out our way at all.   jt

[kearns]

Hi JT and thanks for the welcome.  Yes, I've seen Spartan's post and I believe he sails at Lake Arthur.  I sail at Lake Pymatuning, a bit further north.  No doubt our paths will cross sometime.  Duquesne is a great school.  We live in the South Hills.

[Bob23]

   Hey Kevin and welcome. Yes, the 16 and the 23 share the same designer and have the same basic lines. And our 23's enjoy the same attention as the 16's. They just look, in my primitive architectural language- correct!
    There seems to be a number of Compac owners out near you although I don't keep track. You did so much work on your boat last winter that a few of us are discussing sending our boats out to you next winter so you don't get bored. We'll attach a list of all the things that need doing. I like the waxing part myself and look forward to you waxing my 23 many, many times.
   All this labor we'll take as barter for the standard $5000 initiation fee to join the CPYOA group. Thanks in advance...you're a great guy for offering to do all this work for us!
   If you're ever out in Ocean County, NJ, give a heads up. Love to sail together.
Bob23 and "Koinonia"- 1985 23/2 in NJ
(Inserting image: It took me 2 years and lots of coaching and ribbing from the veterans here for me to learn to post photos. I'm sure you'll learn quicker!)

[kearns]

Thanks, Bob.  Very funny.  Sorry if I sounded nerdy with all that work.  I mentioned the buffing because I found that traditional rubbing compound would not bring back the shine on the hull.  I was very discouraged by it because I thought that gel coat on a 1987 boat ought to come back to life but it did not.  I considered using a fiberglass restorer like New Glass 2 which I have used in the past on a 1965 O'Day 17, but I did not want to go that route unless it was a last resort.  So I looked around on the web and decided to take a chance on a producted called Buff Magic, which I had not used before.  It was expensive, but it really did the trick.  I'm glad I did it.  Also mentioned the resealing because mine, like many, had several leaks that were really difficult to find.  This site and others really helped me to tackle the hull / deck joint project.

Take care,
Kevin

[Spartan]

Kevin,

Sounds like we had similiar winter/springs working on our boat in Western PA.  Where do you keep your CP16?  at home or up at the lake? 
I like the convience of being in the Marina at Moraine but the sailing is quite predictable.  Sounds like you did lots of good work congratulations and welcome to the group.

Tom / Spartan