Advice on restoration, and a few questions

[_JP_]

Well I got this boat last fall, got caught up with the holidays in Nov/Dec. Jan was either freezing or rain here, (13" of rain Dec/Jan!)  and now that it's February I have no excuse but to get started.

There's so many projects I want to tackle with this ole' girl, I'm starting to suffer from "analysis paralysis". Best I can figure is get the trailer done first, then the functional items so I can actually go sailing, then cosmetics and interior work. It'd be nice to have it looking good for the first launch so the wife and kid won't get be put off from sailing on a grungy boat, but doubtful I can make it all happen before spring.

First, the trailer and transport work:

• Install new winch and winch post, and 1 7/8 coupler (already purchased)
• Install fenders (already purchased)
• Service hubs and add bearing buddies
• Possibly install a hinge on the tongue, for storage (anyone else do this?) https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Folding_Tongue.aspx
• Build mast crutch/light bar. Repair forward mast support.
• Paint trailer?

Questions:

• Can the hull be moved off the trailer easily, by one person, so I can work on it properly? How would I get it back onto the trailer?
• Keep or toss the tilt hardware? (it's in usable condition, but from reading here, it sounds like most don't use the tilt function on launch or retreival)
• On a side note, I've seen a couple YouTube clips launching sailboats without dunking the trailer. These were British guys, if I remember right, and the tires were just barely in the water. Sounds intriguing, especially for salt water launches. Is this possible with a CP-16?

Next, "operational" stuff.

• Running rigging - order and install
• Build new front hatch cover
• Fabricate & install mast support

Questions:

• What's a good supplier for running rigging? I found some good prices on spools of 1/4" double braided, but all my lines would be the same color (gasp!). Haven't decided what to do there yet - save money with one color, or color the lines by function.
• She has two beefy chainplates port/starbd aft. Any idea what these could be for? The mainsheet tackle is mounted below the companionway, so I don't think it's mainsheet related

• Should I keep these access doors in the cockpit? Latches are broke, and I'd think they're less seaworthy than a solid glassed cockpit. More work though... I'd have to glass them somehow and then cover the epoxy with paint or SeaDek. Fore access door has a cooler underneath - planning on getting rid of that setup.

So, where would you start if she was yours? Am I missing anything?

And what could those rear chainplates be for?




-Joe (who's at his desk, spending the morning daydreaming about this project instead of working)

Shared photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/iPnz63mbsBwkyFNf9

[SMOKEY]

 Hi and welcome to(what I have found to be) a great and helpful group. Your chain plates look like lift points to me. some clubs and marinas use cranes and dollies to move small boats from storage racks and trailers into the water. Your rig seems to be set up to use the two original chain plates and the two added ones on the rear for lifting in and out of the water. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Good luck on your restoration.
Smokey

[5monkeys]

Hi Joe,
   I also welcome you to the forum and congratulations on your new (to you) boat. On our first boat I spent way more time fixing the boat and not so much time sailing it. It's easy to get discouraged that way, so with our 2nd boat, I've been following this general rule of thumb I prioritize getting/keeping the boat in usable condition,

I started with the minimum stuff required to safely transport and use the boat. Then do stuff that improves on the experience.

For you and the list you provided I'd do it this way,

1.  Service the bearings on the trailer, if your U-bolts look overly crusty, I advise new ones, only cause mine broke on the highway. The experience ended OK, but was inconvenient and expensive.

2.  Go ahead and replace the winch as that's a quick hit/you already have it and it helps keep your boat on the trailer.

The other trailer jobs you mentioned, I'd personally hold off on until I had boat in the water.. just easier for me.

3. Make the hatch panel and If water leaks in through those hatches in the cockpit, I'd replace them with new ones, easier and probably cheaper than patching the holes, if water is leaking in, replacing them will help preserve your boat, and you might appreciate the access once you start using the boat.

4. Get the standing and running rigging in order, sometimes you can find remnants online that are the right size for our boats for less than off the spool. Color code is nice, but if the money is a factor.. it doesn't affect the functionality.

5. We set up all the rigging at home once or twice so we'd "know" what we were doing when we got to the the ramp.. also helps to identify anything that's missing.

anyhow just my February thoughts as it's February and I'm stuck inside at a computer thinking about my boat and now yours.:-)

where will you and the family be sailing?

[_JP_]

Thanks Smokey and Keith for the responses.

Using the rear chainplates for crane launching makes sense. PO made a simple bimini top, and I was thinking these were somehow related to it, even though it seems like overkill.

....where will you and the family be sailing?

Lake Allatoona is right down the road from us (north Atlanta area), but it's tough sailing. It's like a very wide river, narrow and tree lined, which causes the wind to constantly change direction with frequent puffs. Makes for very interesting racing though - I learned on 420's at the Atlanta Yacht Club.

I'd rather be out cruising with the family than racing though. Also, if I can include them, I'll be able to sail more often. Our current dinghy (12' O'Day Widgeon) fits the three of us fine when we've taken it out a few times, but the first time we get dunked might be the last time they go with me. So, I had to find a keel boat.

The CP-16 seems a perfect fit for what we need. Weighted (stationary, shoal) keel, easy to rig, easy to trailer, and has a cabin with a portable head and two berths. We're a family of tent campers, so it has enough room for "camping out" on the water. I'm planning on making the cockpit into a bed also somehow, along with a tent (already have the fabric and an industrial sewing machine). Also, my '16 was bought cheap enough ($1300) that I won't mind making modifications to her. I'd be very hesitant to start cutting into a $5k-$10K boat, even though we could afford it.

So, the O'Day is getting fixed up now and I'll sell her this spring. She's in the garage now getting some fiberglass work done, and new blocks and sheets. Once she's out, the 16 can move in and I can get serious.

A Com-Pac 19 like yours would be very nice - but they're rare around here, and when I do see one, they're much more expensive. I still scan Craigslist daily though. I see lots of signatures here with both a CP-16 and CP-19, so I might just have to get one of each, also (or.... a Com-Pac 23?). I seriously need to quit looking though - I might end up with three projects on my hands!


Eventually we'll do some Florida coastal cruising, during school breaks or long holiday weekends. Once the trailer's in good shape (along with its 13" tires), it should be an easy trip down there.

[carry-on]

JP,
Welcome.
When I looked at your pictures, did not see a compression post.
Before lifting the boat using chain plates, you might want to discuss with Hutchins.

Based on the looks of the Widgeon, you will make your 16 into a smart little yacht..enjoy.

Tom

[brackish]

Lake Allatoona is right down the road from us (north Atlanta area), but it's tough sailing. It's like a very wide river, narrow and tree lined, which causes the wind to constantly change direction with frequent puffs. Makes for very interesting racing though - I learned on 420's at the Atlanta Yacht Club.

LOL, that's my world on Bay Springs Lake.  High banks, tree lined and hundreds of fingers.  Every pass of a finger is liable to change direction by 90 degrees and intensity by a factor of three.  For one who grew up sailing the open gulf and the Mississippi Sound, being able to set up a beam reach and sailing for hours touching nothing, it was a steep learning curve.

Welcome to the group.

[AirborneJarhead]

I'm up I-85 from you in Charlotte. I'm in the process of getting my CP16 ready for the Spring. I kind of like the idea of the hatches allowing access to the quarter berths as I intend to use mine as storage areas anyway. Good cockpit cushions would hide them and a well caulked installation should keep most of the water out (I know...lol). I intend to make my entire cockpit into where we will sleep. I am planning a boom tent with complete enclosure to facilitate this. For my fat butt, that cabin is just untenable. I'll keep the port-a-head down there and other than that, it's just storage space.
Question...is you boat wired? Mine is not and that chore is high on my list. I also need to decide on propulsion. I want to sail coastal waters, so I'm leaning towards an outboard. But I sure would prefer electric.
Good luck with your referb!

[_JP_]

I'm up I-85 from you in Charlotte. I'm in the process of getting my CP16 ready for the Spring.

Cool! I got a buddy in S. Charlotte. I need to get back up there....

I kind of like the idea of the hatches allowing access to the quarter berths as I intend to use mine as storage areas anyway. Good cockpit cushions would hide them and a well caulked installation should keep most of the water out (I know...lol).

I pulled out the cooler that was under the forward cockpit hatch, so I can use the berth below. I was thinking of adding a sliding (forward/aft) shelf underneath that cockpit bench, and keeping all galley supplies there. Just pop open the hatch and then slide the shelf back and forth to access everything. A slim stove would be perfect there, maybe.... Haven't decided yet. Also, legroom's cramped as it is, and this shelf would only make it worse. For now, the hatch will stay. I'm just working on launching her now before I get bogged down with all the details.

I got some SeaDeck faux teak that I was thinking would look good there. Or cushions, which would be needed for the cockpit bed anyhow. The gelcoat's all chipped up on the benches for some reason, so something needs to cover them. Eventually.....

I intend to make my entire cockpit into where we will sleep. I am planning a boom tent with complete enclosure to facilitate this. For my fat butt, that cabin is just untenable. I'll keep the port-a-head down there and other than that, it's just storage space.

We're heading in the same direction. Even in larger boats (30'+) I read about people preferring the cockpit for sleeping over the interior berths, unless the weather's bad. Stars, breeze, and more room. Until the mosquitos show up at least.....

Question...is you boat wired? Mine is not and that chore is high on my list. I also need to decide on propulsion. I want to sail coastal waters, so I'm leaning towards an outboard. But I sure would prefer electric.

She was wired, until yesterday afternoon. A few wires needed to be cut to remove rotten wood, and then one thing led to another. I kept the harness all together in one piece though, for reference at least, if I choose not to reuse it. I'm a building controls engineer (low voltage DDC), and feel I could do a better design and install than what was in there.

I like electric too. A dual deep cycle battery configuration would be cool, one for propulsion, one for accessories. Have a switch between them to use each as a backup, if needed. A solar-panel-powered charger would be icing on the cake.

I prefer rowing (and would like to try sculling), so I'll eventually add oarlocks. One reason I sail is to get away from all the noise, and if it'll give me some exercise at the same time, then all the better. But she came with a Johnson 3.3, so that will get used in the meantime (plus, my 7-year old son can't wait to motor around a bit).

Good luck with your referb!

You too man! Keep us updated.

[_JP_]

I finally got her moved into the boat workshop (garage) yesterday. How 'bout some pics?

I wanted to hose her off before bringing her in, and one thing led to another, and ended up removing all interior and accessories. Interior has flaking paint, so I decided to spray it out also with the pressure washer.




Ready for a clean up. All the running rigging lines were trash.





In her new home. Now, no more excuses!





Pressure washer helped remove some of the loose bottom paint. Bottom job is on the to-do list.






I'm going to look into a way to get her off the trailer. It'd be much easier to work on.

[Yamaha33410]

The boat is pretty stable on its own. You can take you two floor Jacks to move it on/off the trailer or reposition the boat on the trailer.
Boat stands would be ideal after that to set it on with the weight actually being supported by the keel, any stands touching the hull are solely there for balancing purposes if you feel like the boat is going to tip over off its keel

The boat itself is not very heavy so I wouldn't worry about it to much as long as you have it supported by the keel....

[Yamaha33410]

also, looks like someone put some half assed mid boom sheeting cleat setup on it, the swivel cleat on the cockpit looks like it is ripping out of the fiberglass and not secured properly...

[Cats Paw]

I would suggest that all deck fittings and hatches be removed and replaced with fresh bedding compound. Replace any stressed hardware {worn,bent} Reseal deck to hull joint if questionable. Always a point of water entry. Good project you have. Focus on the final result.

[_JP_]

The boat is pretty stable on its own. You can take you two floor Jacks to move it on/off the trailer or reposition the boat on the trailer.
Boat stands would be ideal after that to set it on with the weight actually being supported by the keel, any stands touching the hull are solely there for balancing purposes if you feel like the boat is going to tip over off its keel

The boat itself is not very heavy so I wouldn't worry about it to much as long as you have it supported by the keel....

Thank you for that advice. I've read elsewhere (and saw pictures) of 16's off their trailers, so I know it can be done, but the HOW is where I've been getting stuck.

Getting it off is also just half the issue. Getting it back ON is what I need to hear about, before I remove it. I'm not going to take if off unless I can get it back on the trailer. Last boat I de-trailered was my 300 lb O'Day Widgeon, and that was work enough! She gained a few scratches (gouges, I suppose) through the whole ordeal.

[_JP_]

also, looks like someone put some half assed mid boom sheeting cleat setup on it, ....

Yep. I asked earlier if anyone had any opinions on this setup, and whether I should keep it or go back to the factory setup. Prev Owner said he moved it to open the transom area up, since they did a lot of swimming and boarded back there.

...the swivel cleat on the cockpit looks like it is ripping out of the fiberglass and not secured properly...

Right again. PO used unglassed plywood as a backing plate, which had delaminated and wasn't providing any support. I promptly removed and threw in the garbage heap. _IF_ I go back with that setup, I'd seal the new backing plate with resin.

New sailor here, and I really don't know why one would be preferred over the other, and I'm open to suggestions. I was thinking I'd put it back with the mid-boom setup initially, since all the hardware's available.

[_JP_]

I would suggest that all deck fittings and hatches be removed and replaced with fresh bedding compound. Replace any stressed hardware {worn,bent} Reseal deck to hull joint if questionable. Always a point of water entry. Good project you have. Focus on the final result.

Good advice. Yes, forward hatch needs to be totally rebuilt, and I'm planning to rebed all fasteners with thickened epoxy. The bunks are totally shot, so I plan on pulling the deck off when it comes time to rebuild the inside. With all the fasteners out and gelcoat cracks fixed, I may as well paint, right?

Problem is..... if I tackle all this stuff now, I doubt I'd have it on the water this year, and could lose interest. (There's a Tanzer 22 that I was about to call about today, I had to stop myself. No promises tomorrow though).

My plan is to get the trailer 100%, maybe paint the hull (just 'cause it looks so ratty right now), build a new hatch, run new running rigging, and get out on the water. Then, tackle the rest of the cosmetics.