CP23 Model Differences (MKI vs MKII vs MKIII vs MKIV)

[brokenotbroken]

This may have been posted somewhere but my search kung fu is lacking today.

I recently sold my MacGregor 26s and am looking to buy a Com-Pac 23.  However, I'm having a hard time telling the difference between the various Com-Pac 23 models.  For instance, what year/model did they move from round portholes to oval portholes?  What year/model did they install the tongue and groove ceilings? etc. 

Thanks, -david

[brackish]

This from an old post.  The info is from a 2005 mag article:

There were several changes with different models and you should be aware of the differences. The first changes occurred with the model 23/2, which took place in the mid-1980s. This is when the popular hide-away galley was added, the interior finishing was upgraded and the bowsprit was added for much needed additional sail area. In the early 1990s, the 23/3 was offered and this model change included mostly small tooling upgrades. Small round portlights were changed to larger, oval ones for example. One model to look for is the rare 23 D, which includes a 10-horsepower single cylinder Yanmar diesel. According to Gerry Hutchins, only about 35 of these boats were built and they are quite desirable on the used market."

In addition, the IV model changed from bronze to all stainless hardware and ports, and the electrical panel was moved to under the first step in the companionway with an upgraded panel.  They continued to build the diesel model so there are a few more of them out there.

Not sure about the beaded ceiling, think it was there for a long time, probably from the II. 

[PrudenceCP23]

Greetings, mine is a 1984 23/II (hull #333) and I've got the "beaded ceiling."

[Bob23]

Hmm. Prudence:
  Mine is a 1985 23/2 #321. One of us is out of place. And I also have the beaded ceiling.
Bob23

[DougN]

I have a 1983 23/1 #224.I also have a beaded ceiling.Don't know what year they started.                  Doug

[PrudenceCP23]

Bob, I actually have two dates that I've been given, 1984 from the state licensing folks and 1985 from the original owner.  Now that I've seen that you are #321 from 1985, I'll go with the 1985 date for my #333 from now on.  Thanks for helping me clarify that :-)

[Shawn]

You can tell your model year based on the Hull ID number.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm

Shawn

[Bob23]

Pru:
  It was the prudent thing to do! I think my favorite is the 23/3 with the oval bronze portlights and bronze hardware. I understand moving everything to stainless was probably necessary to cut costs but I really like the bronze on my boat.
Bob23

[PrudenceCP23]

Bob, I've never seen any other 23's out here in Washington state, so I have nothing to compare mine to.  That said, I do like my 23/II with the bronze round portlights, "looks salty" as my friend says :-)

[brokenotbroken]

I'm sure there are more differences but so far this is what I've figured out:

MK-I (1979-1983) Round bronze portholes, no bowsprit, solid interior bulkhead, gel coat interior ceiling, companionway galley, 2900lbs displacement

MK-II (1984-1987) Bowsprit, cut-away interior bulkhead, beaded ceiling, hideaway galley, 3000lbs displacement

MK-III (1988-?) Oval bronze portholes, smoked forward hatch cover

MK-IV () All stainless steel portholes, hardware, and mooring cleats, foil rudder blade,

Notes:
1989 - 9HP diesel inboard offered as an option
1994 - Vinylester resin added to the outer layer to aid in preventing osmotic blistering.

I'll update as I find out more differences between the models and correct any errors I become aware of.
-david

[Bob23]

Same here, Pru:
   I'm in salt water so even 316 stainless will bleed. But the bronze just always looks great. I do covet the diesels although. If I had the dough, I'd do the conversion but my trusty outboard is just so darn reliable, it'd be hard to justify. Plus, I don't want to loose all that storage room under the companionway.
Bob23

[Shawn]

David,

The MK1s have a very basic interior. They don't have nearly as much wood trim inside and they lack the storage cabinets behind the quarter berths. On the plus side that makes the quarter berths wider.

I think the companionway stairs/storage changed more than just within the different models as it seems like Compac was playing around with that a bit to find the layout they stuck with. The different layouts have pros/cons. The later boats have easier access to wiring but the storage under is quite a bit more limited in height compared to the smaller electrical panel layout. That lets you fit a larger cooler under the companionway.

Another change with the MKIV is it looks like Compac simplified the interior a little, it doesn't have as much trim/detail as the earlier boat. I'd assume this is cost cutting. For example the cabinet doors are plain wood without the detailing on the earlier boats.

Shawn

[Shawn]

"I think my favorite is the 23/3 with the oval bronze portlights and bronze hardware. "

Ditto, I think the oval balances out well on the cabin top.

As far as an inboard diesel I loved the fact that the Compac had no holes below the waterline. Going from that to having 9 of them on the Sabre just keeps me thinking about how a simple failure could sink the boat.

If everything was working well the diesel would be OK on the 23 (I'd miss the storage space though), but if something broke on it I think access much be a nightmare to get at it. Outboard is nice for the simplicity, much lower cost and also dramatically more maneuverability when docking.

Shawn

[lochinvar]

I have a 1983 MKI. It has a beaded overhead.

Before you entirely discount the lack of wood claim on a MKI, you might want to take a look at the inside of my boat.

Here is a link to some pics I posted for S/V Hideaway, which I might agree with the lack of wood in the interior, but compared to my boat. Go here and have a look: http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=8283.0

Fair winds,
-Shawn F.

[Dogboy]

...If everything was working well the diesel would be OK on the 23 (I'd miss the storage space though), but if something broke on it I think access much be a nightmare to get at it...

My dad had a 23/D, and you are correct.  The water strainer cracked and he overheated the engine which melted the muffler.  I, being the obedient 16 year old that I was, was enlisted to affect repairs.  The font panels remove and the side panels along the interior of the quarter-berths are removed, but there is precious little room to get at anything.  Oil/filter changes were no easier.  That said, we never had any issues with maneuvering around the dock after we learned how to use the prop-walk.