Thinking of moving up from cp16 to cp23

[Timwp]

I've been thinking of moving up from cp16 to cp23. How is it that I could launch and retrieve a boat this size by myself? Any thoughts...

[brackish]

I do it.  I'd like to tell you that it is easy, but that would be a bit of a stretch.  Just takes a lot of planning. 

[Timwp]

I launch my cp 16 once a year and put it on a mooring. I typically lead her to a nearby dock by rope by myself, easily. Can this also be done with the cp23?

[HeaveToo]

Yes it can, I do it every year.

Like Brackish said, it takes a little planning.  You  have to figure out a good mast raising system.  Putting it down is easier, but putting it up can be tough.  It is much easier with another set of hands.

[deisher6]

Hey Timwp:
Don't dally, life is to short, go straight to a C-27!
regards charlie

[NateD]

It takes me about 30 minutes to rig and launch my CP16. It's more like 2-3 hours for a 23, and you need a deep ramp. If you're only doing it a few times a year, it is very doable, and the 23 is like a palace compared to the 16. As others have said, a good mast raising system takes a lot of the stress/danger out of rigging a 23 yourself. It's unlikely you'll be able to raise the mast single handed without some type of mechanical assist.

[relamb]

I had a pretty decent mast raising system on my CP23, and it was a pain to do alone.  It would take me more than an hour, and so I only did it twice.
My sons were pretty good helpers, and with one of them helping we could be in the water sailing within 20 minutes of arriving at the ramp if we hustled.
Easy to do, with two.

[brackish]

I've got my single handed launch down to about an hour and a half, and if I worked on it a bit, could probably get it shorter.  Setting up and using the mast raising system is only about 20 minutes, but there is a lot of other stuff that has to be done.  Truthfully, a lot of it is to get the boat ready for a major trip at highway speeds.  Much of what I do would not have to be done if it were just a short jaunt across town from the house to the launch.

[cfelle2]

I made a mast raising system that has allowed me to raise and lower the mast alone.  It usually takes me about 2 hours to get the boat ready to sail.  It's very easy to do there are just a number of steps involved in getting the boat on the water and ready for a cruise.  I would not hesitate to choose the 23 over the 16 if you plan to launch and retrieve only a few times a year.  If you are launching and retrieving each time you sail stick with a smaller boat.

[Bob23]

cf:
   Any chance of you posting more info and/or pictures of your mast raising system? There's a six pack of cold PBR in it for you!!!
Bob23

[Mas]

Hey TimWP, just get one!

We just got a 23 and she certainly has more rigging to deal with. We are fortunate, since we live 2 1/2 hours away, that she will be kept in the water during the season but we kept our 16 fully rigged on her trailer and simply launched when going sailing. I agree, getting the boat ready for hurricane conditions (highway) takes a lot of time as you need to strip the sails, bimini fabric, lash down everything well, stow everything where it will not shift, yadda yadda.

If you can keep her rigged and simply launch, that would increase the fun factor. Heck if you can keep her in the water that really increases it. CP23's are transportable, CP16's are truly trailerable.