Love my CP-16 and ramblings!

[Epic1969]

Took Olaf out today....wow it was one of those days sailors dream of! Started out in 6-7 kt winds to warm up with. The wind continued to build into the high teens with some gusts over 20 waves were 2-3' and starting to break. This is my first sailboat other than a phantom-14' and I am amazed by the CP-16 stability! I can see how the often complained about weather helm is a major safety factor built into the design just let go of the controls and it fixes itself. I did not reef the sails, I believe the stock sails are undersized also a safety feature. Upwind ability is much better in high winds.  I was also looking at WW Potters and I am so glad I found this boat instead. I want to learn to sail in high winds/seas and this is the perfect boat. I have started a fund for a larger boat! Not selling this one for a while. A 2-3 year plan boat. With 5 kids 14 and under I need more room for cruising ( no I don't sail with them yet) I only have 16hrs on the CP-16 and want 25 before taking passengers and in more comfortable conditions for landlubbers. I am confident but I am sure I can be humbled quickly! As an airline pilot I see a lot of similarities with caution/experience level sailing and flying. I have set a goal to sail to Bermuda in 5 years, my 50th year? would a CD-25 be a good boat to dream about for weekends in Lake Erie with family and a cruise to Bermuda solo? Keeping in mind I have maybe a max $20,000 budget. Is it crazy to think about a CP-23 for that trip?

[Craig]

CP 25 for Lake Erie, absolutely! Bermuda, maybe. Doable? Yes, with some caveats. 23 to Bermuda? Again doable but not the best choice. That being said, micro cruisers like the WW Potter 15 have made many successful open sea voyages. As has been said here many times, it all comes down to the skill of the sailor and the preparation for the voyage.

[wes]

Bermuda is 500 miles of open ocean, way different than a hop to the Bahamas. Don't think I'm brave enough to try that even in the 27. Delta Airlines is probably my choice.

Wes

[carry-on]

Nice looking CP-27 in Vermilion, Oh. $17K. You know Lake Erie can whip up in a hurry but it is not the Atlantic.

Bermuda? I guess it depends from where and time of year. The annual Newport to Bermuda race has a history of some tough sailing over the years. 

[Epic1969]

 Compacs are not built for serious offshore sailing and never meant for those conditions but if I would buy a CP-23 and do a total blue water overhaul would it be irresponsible to head to Bermuda from the midatlantic area? In a blue water overhaul I would beef up rigging, make hatch/companionway watertight, enlarge cockpit drains, install safety line and tethers and have all possible safety gear including a JSdrouge for real nasty seas AND know how to use it. I definitely would want to log many more miles on Erie and maybe a Nantucket circumnavigation before attempting Bermuda. What makes a beefed up CP-23 less seaworthy than say a Flica?

[carry-on]

The Flica 20, better yet the Dana 24 is built for blue water. Just compare the displacement, freeboard, full keel, bulky rudder assembly. heavy hardware, cabin space for supplies and protection and diesel power. The 23 is a terrific coastal cruiser; there are a few diesels. Not built for the proposed trip. One Atlantic crasher could leave you without a rudder.
With great luck you could make the voyage, but you would be are working from the top rung of the ladder for many days/nights.

[Craig]

I think the above comments say it all. ANYTHING is possible. The question remains: Is it a smart thing to do as opposed to choosing the right tool (boat) for the job. Dangerous big game can (and have) been killed with a 22 long rifle cartridge. That does not make it a good choice for hunting those critters!!

[Bob23]

Epic:
  A solo voyage to Bermuda is sorta on my list as well. However, I would not take a Compac 23 on such a voyage. Sure, the possibility is you could make it, but she's not built for that. Compare the Flicka at 3 1/2' draft and 6000 lbs displacement with the 23 at 2'3" draft and 3000 lbs displacement. One thing I would do in beefing up a CP 23 would be to alter the rudder to an inboard rudder, preferably skeg hung. And inboard diesel would be nice but maybe not necessary.  I think once you got done spending time and money altering a 23, why not buy something designed for the proposed trip and be much safer, too. As an airline pilot, you could compare flying something across the Atlantic that was designed for much shorter trips. Could you make it? Maybe. Do you want to find out halfway across that the plane you are flying in was the wrong choice? No need to answer that one...
Bob23

[capt_nemo]

Epic1969,

With regard to the oft complained about weather helm of the CP16. Same complaint from some Sun Cat Sailors as well.

Make absolutely sure that the rudder is all the way down and against its stop before tightening everything up. It is not good enough to let the rudder simply swing down under force of gravity to achieve the proper rudder position. A rudder even slightly out of proper position, that is tilted ever so slightly rearward, will translate to increased weather helm and a lot of force to handle in a blow.

The two photos below illustrate my point. The first shows a rudder allowed to simply rotate down finding its own position. The second shows the position with rudder pushed down and forward to its stop before tightening. Go back and forth between the two photos concentrating on the forward lower tip of the rudder. The difference is significant and will cause increased pressure on the rudder and stronger weather helm than necessary.

Yes, you may have to lean over the transom and manually push the rudder down with one hand while tightening up with the other, but the effort is certainly worth it , believe me.

Enjoy your CP16 to the max and SAIL SAFE!

capt_nemo

[Epic1969]

capt-nemo thanks! I did indeed have about another inch forward when pushing down on the rudder can't wait to see how it works now.

[capt_nemo]

you're welcome.

Sail safely.

capt_nemo