Second splash, this time on the Potomac

[Citroen/Dave]

I drove my '85 CP16/2 from Lynchburg to Alexandria, VA and back this past weekend.  Cool hubs and no trailering problems.  I had the opportunity to take three of my four kids and one of my two grandsons sailing.  Next to Reagan International Airport is the Washington Sailing Marina and Indigo Restaurant. Great place for the family to hang out while three at a time went for short sails.  I reefed the main and hauled up and down the standard jib as the wind increased and decreased.  Several rental Flying Scots were taking groups of new sailors out.  No real races but I was pleased to often keep up with the larger boats.  My youngest son, about to complete law school, now wants to take the boat for a trip to the Keys, with me of course.  Sweet sailing!

Ron Hessler, the manager of the marina, still has a CP 16 for sale.  Anyone looking for a project boat could probably get this one for any offer; try $50.  He needs to move this one off his lot.  I spotted a CP23 and another CP16 floating, and I think there are maybe two or three other 16s, looking abandoned on trailers.  I bet some one could get other bargains with a little owner research. . .   

Dave

[buckaroo]

Yep, I know those boats, having spent a lot of time wandering around the Washington Sailing Marina (in fact, I bought mine from a guy who kept his there).  There's one in particular that I've sadly watched deteriorate over the years -- filling up with water, with a huge crack in the bulging keel dripping stalactites all over the trailer.  I hate seeing these boats neglected and going to waste -- it means that the used market will just get tighter and tighter.

[Citroen/Dave]

I can't believe that someone is paying rent to have these boats go down.  I saw the stalactites too.  One of the CP16s has the remains of a Bimini.
Buckaroo, did you buy one recently that was floating?  That is the boat that I thought must have been stuck in the low tide mud.  (Very stable.) Apologies for stepping aboard without permission.

Dave

[buckaroo]

Yes, mine was floating, but it wasn't the one you're thinking about -- I bought mine in 2010 and it lives on a trailer in Edgewater MD now.  I know the one you mean, which has been in that spot for several years now.  I shudder to think what the bottom must look like!  But despite all our talk about boats deteriorating, there's at least one in the yard that is absolutely gorgeous.  I can't remember the name right off the top of my head, but it seems to have been lovingly maintained.