Compac 23

[Allthatjazz]

So I sold my 16 and found a 23. I would like to get some opinions on a 1984 23 on how seaworthy it is . Thanks

[Finbar Beagle]

Howdy,

Bob23 has one, but always seems to be listing on one side with rail in water, full main and jib up, bone in teeth. 

How far offshore are you thinking of going?

[Allthatjazz]

I live on the Mississippi gulf coast and sail in the sound. There are islands about nine mi out to visit . The sound is pretty shallow in spots and can get pretty choppy

[Potcake boy]

Though the seas may become uncomfortable the 23 will get you there. Maybe slowly, however safely. Enjoy.

[AislinGirlII]

I live on the Mississippi gulf coast and sail in the sound. There are islands about nine mi out to visit . The sound is pretty shallow in spots and can get pretty choppy

My 23 likes the  Sound and its chop just fine! Me too, except when it's really hot...

[Bob23]

Jazz:
   My 1985 23 is yours slightly older sister and she's a wonderful and proper little yacht. Although they've acquired a reputation for being slow, it's undeserved. True they will not point high but what Compac does? I've had mine out in very light air and she has surprised me. A few years ago I went out when the wind was gusting 30 to 35 and I debated my sanity being out there. But I put the second reef in the main and rolled up further the jib and she really surprised me. Very well behaved and I had the time of my life. I don't recommend that, by the way but it was a nice test.
   They like between 15 and 25 degrees of heel. In light air, sitting on the leeward side instantly increases speed. The key to having a happy 23 is knowing when to reef as they don't enjoy being overcanvassed. And they'll let you know. Hope this helps. I've had her for 12 years...good sails are a must as well as a decent foiled rudder.
Cheers!!
Bob23 in Ocean County, NJ

[Allthatjazz]

Thanks for all the input. I was told that the 23 was the best sailing of all the compacs

[Bob23]

Dunno about that. An Eclipse and I got into a race a few years ago in strong winds and they are no slouch either as we sailed neck and neck until I pulled ahead. The 23  is a very strong hull and over rigged, in my opinion. Good luck with your 84...keep us posted.

[Bristol14]

I sail my 1987 23-MK II in Buzzards Bay in MA. The bay is notorious for it's chop. My previous boats had full keels (Alberg design) and I was concerned about how the 23 would sail in these waters. I can tell you that Mudlark performs every bit as well as my previous boats. As Bob noted, she performs well in light air and when the wind picks up and gusts over 20, reefing the main and furling the jib makes for a fun sail.

[brackish]

I live on the Mississippi gulf coast and sail in the sound. There are islands about nine mi out to visit . The sound is pretty shallow in spots and can get pretty choppy

I've also sailed those waters and used to live there.  Still visit all the time, and thinking of putting my 23 down there. A 23 does fine in those conditions, the shallow draft will get you in places that other boats can't go. Get it, and I'll tow mine down for the first MGCR of ComPac 23's.

[Allthatjazz]

This will be my second sailboat since I started a year ago. I lived in Alaska for 22 yr where I met my wife. Came back cause of my ailing mom so i had to find a new hobby at 67. Nice being able to do what you want instead of having to wait eight months of cold and snow.  Thanks for the great advice. Rick

[Potcake boy]

Agree with the above remarks concerning the performance of the 23. When I said slowly, it was a general reference and not meant to under rate the 23. I will refine my comments however to say that since the 23 is a relatively narrow beam that she is easily driven even in light air on a reach or before the wind. Driving her to windward is a labor of love and revives the spirit of early sailors and their rugged square rigs and gaffers. If you wish to sail to windward like a racing design, then you will need to remove the keel and replace it with a fin keel of about 4.5 ft. draft. You'd probably also need to move the shrouds inboard to allow for closer sheeting. OR - you could just buy a boat that already fits that description. There are good reasons that ComPacs have endeared themselves to their owners as evidenced by the following they have. I have owned two trimarans and they are built for performance. They point and sail to windward like a wild horse, and are down right fast, and they don't heel to speak of. But on the other side of the coin, they aren't cruising boats because of limited cabin space and limited load capacity. I wouldn't be so foolish to attempt a comparison of my 23 to one of my trimarans from a performance perspective, but each has it's strengths. I didn't acquire my 23 for it's speed, but rather as a capable pocket cruiser for my wife and I to spend time sailing S.W. Florida and beyond. We have a size limit in our community marina so larger boats were out of the question. My wife likes our pilot house much better than the trimaran because it has standing room a separate head and is comfortable. She doesn't like healing and bashing into chop, so I try planning our cruising legs around the wind. When cruising to a destination, I typically set the auto pilot and relax. Listening to my favorite music and enjoying a cold beer I barely notice how fast we are or aren't going. I may check the GPS occasionally and calculate our arrival time, but I try to enjoy the ride. One problem that I found with those fast boats was that unless you are in open water, you got to your destination before you were spiritually ready to call it a day. So my recommendation to ComPac owners is to enjoy your sturdy vessel for what she is and don't fret over what she is not. These are wonderful family boats (I've owned 5 myself) and I have never heard any negative feedback from an owner.

I will reiterate what has been suggested on the forum many times over. Good sails are important not only for speed but for a well behaved boat. Dacron sails stretch over the course of time and when they become too full and can't be properly adjusted for the sailing conditions then they should be replaced. Even cruisers can benefit from learning optimum sail trim as it is important for good boat control as well as optimizing speed. I usually adjust my sails based on performance. For example if you see the rudder is too far over then you need to correct the weather helm. It all fits together on a ComPac as well as racing boats. Probably the biggest caveat for CamPac ( some designs with CB or Skeel Keel excepted) sailors is to avoid excessive heel. The shoal keel allows you to explore shallow waters with out fear, however it is the main reason for the less than optimum windward performance. If you keep her within 20 degrees you and your boat will be much happier and you are less likely to spill your beer.

[brackish]

Rick, good info from Ron, and for some practical information on sailing the Sound here goes.  Depending on which ramp/marina you leave from and which island is your destination you are likely to have a close reach or beat going out.  If you leave before noon in the summer, make sure your motor is tuned up, you will be motoring.  Your trip back from the islands will normally be a run or at best a very broad reach, so make sure you are set up with a whisker pole for wing and wing, or invest in a nice asymmetrical for that trip.  All the overnight anchorages are generally one direction protection.  The horseshoe on Horn, the Fort area on ship are two good areas, mostly protection from the south.  Smugglers cove on the south side of Cat offers three direction protection but not from due south.  I think a 23 can sneak into the north channel on Cat which is great protection.  I haven't had my 23 in there but my old Columbia Challenger used to get in there and it drew 3.5'.  Could have changed though, several hurricanes since I did that.

Most of this info from the perspective of having sailboats in Gulfport Harbor for over 25 years.

[Allthatjazz]

Thank you again. I value as much info as I can get.