Trip Report: Sailed my CP16 for the first time today

[Bosunmate]

Well, I set sail on Lake Murray, SC today for the first time in my CP16.  I had a big time!  The wx was clear, winds 10-15 gusting over 20 mph during my run.

She handled quite well as far as I can tell.  As mentioned here on the forum she was a challenge to tack into the wind, but I figured it out pretty quick. I decided to reef my main and use my Jib from the start.  I did manage to fill the cockpit after a gust while close hauled.  No one will have to remind me to keep the hatch board in place while sailing in the future.  Thankfully I only took on a little water in the cabin.  At times my GPS tracked me doing 7mph and I averaged 4-5 mph.   

The 60# Yamaha 4 stroke, 4 hp motor did a fine job.  Other than when I filled the cockpit, I got the wettest while launching and recovery due to the shallow grade at the ramp.  The lake is also down about 4 feet.

Taking my time, I can step the mast and rig everything in about 45 minutes.  I know I can trim that time down over time.

Looks like a cold front is coming through tomorrow, so this was the first and last sail of the year for me.  I'm very happy with my boat.

Best Regards,

Patrick
Semper Paratus

[Bob23]

Great report and thank you Patrick! It felt nice to be sailing with you albeit vicariously!

  I have a 1985 23 and the 23's and 16's do share some sailing characteristics. I have found that during difficult tacking, backwinding the jib helps an awful lot. Also, if you have the stock flat rudder, upgrading to a foiled blade will not only help in tacking through but you'll also point a bit higher too.

  So glad you had a positive first sail! It may be a long winter but just hang around here with us and soon you'll be back out on the water. Here in NJ, my 23 has been out for 3 weeks and sailing season won't return until April of next year.

  Till the, fair winds...keep the stick pointing up and the waterline on the outside of the yacht!

Bob23 

[Tim Gardner]

Patrick!  Did you add a little water to the rising tide in the cockpit?
TG

[Bosunmate]

Thanks Bob, I did research the rudder and might get one this summer.  Looks like we going to have to wait out this winter before any more runs.  April is about right for us down here as well.  Until then, stay safe and warm.

And Tim, I did not add any more water to the cockpit.  I don't thing so.....

Patrick
Semper Paratus

[Mas]

Yup, 7mph, unless you sail, seems like no big deal and slow, but inna little boat your flying! Glad hear it all went well. They are great little boats and all of us with one has found our rails in the water at least once!

[Bosunmate]

Yup, 7mph, unless you sail, seems like no big deal and slow, but inna little boat your flying! Glad hear it all went well. They are great little boats and all of us with one has found our rails in the water at least once!

Thanks Mas, it sure felt like flying!  It's going to be a long winter!

Patrick Matte

[greg988]

Congrats on sailing her for the first time!  I feel your pain, its a long winter without sailing.  I never understood why people wanted to live in the sweltering heat of south Florida until I started sailing in Ohio and have to store my boat for 6 months. 

[Tim Gardner]

It's going to be 60^ F at SML, VA this Christmas day.  If there's any wind, I'm going sailing!  If not, maybe just motoring.

TG

[Mas]

Oh am so done with sailing this year...waxing skis and boards hoping the warm weather moves on! Now this scene is what i am talking about....our home, Cedar Knoll Farm, the way i like it! Come on snow!!!

Mas is sitting on her trailer in a barn here, Interlude is sitting in the boatyard at Regent Point Marina, just got back from Wintergreen and a couple days up there, might take a little sale in the after Christmas sales.   

....thread drift alert. Might need to reset the anchor!

[P-sail]

Patrick, I am envious! I acquired my CP-16-2, hull 2509 about 5 weeks ago, but won't get her in the water until spring. In the meantime, I have bought new sails, a Rudder Craft foiled rudder, and other odds & ends. Merry Christmas to all ComPac sailors, near and far!

Paul

[Bosunmate]

Patrick, I am envious! I acquired my CP-16-2, hull 2509 about 5 weeks ago, but won't get her in the water until spring. In the meantime, I have bought new sails, a Rudder Craft foiled rudder, and other odds & ends. Merry Christmas to all ComPac sailors, near and far!

Paul

Hello Paul,

Don't be to envious, I will not be able to sail again until early spring.  I'm curious about your new sails.  I believe mine are original and tired.  Where did you buy them, what sails did you buy and what did you have to give for them? 

Now for the new rudder, mine is original too and I will run with it for a while.  I do need a new tiller as the tiller cover only covered about 90%.  The last section where it attaches to the rudder post is weathered pretty bad.  I definitely can not have that!  I will be buying a new one.  I'm going to get the tiller clutch also.  Have you had any experience with one?  I'm just now getting back into sailing and enjoying the heck out of outfitting this little boat. 

I will be sailing Lake Murray and Lake Greenwood in SC mostly although I'm seriously thinking of a trip to Oriental, NC once I get the boat ready. I would spend a few days in the area.
 
I want to replace all my VHF radio wiring and antennae.  I also will be going though all my 12v wiring. 

Where will you be sailing?

Best Regards

Patrick
Semper Paratus 

[P-sail]

Hi Patrick:

The sails that I got with the boat are Johnson Sails. They may be the original sails. They look very tired. I saw some used (almost new) tan bark sails on-line at The Sailboat Co (sailboatrichlands.com) and made a very fair deal with Keith to buy them. Unfortunately he couldn't find the main and offered me a brand new set of white sails from Rolly Tasker Sails for the price of the used. When he sent me the new sails he included the tan bark jib as a gift! The Rolly Tasker sails seem quite heavy and well made. Thank You Keith!!

I will be sailing on the Finger Lakes in upstate NY and hope to also venture up to some of the Adirondack Lakes like Raquette and Tupper. I live between Skaneateles and Owasco Lakes and the public launches are about 3 miles either way.

Lake Ontario is accessible from Cayuga Lake which is only about a 15 mile trailer from here. Might try that too. River trip might me fun.

Looking forward to spring. Haven't sailed in 3 years as I sold my Rhodes 22 when we lived in a travel trailer and toured the country for 2 years. Spent last year buying and remodeling house and being a wannabe sailor!

Regards,

Paul

[P-sail]

Hi again Patrick.

I have no tiller clutch but will probably add that to my wish list. I had a tiller lock on my Rhodes that essentially fastened the hiking pole to the coaming but it did not allow for easy or quick course corrections so it really wasn't very useful.

Paul

[Bosunmate]

OK Paul, you might have a little more winter than I will! Thanks for the info on the sails.  I will sail with my old ones until I figure out how they perform.  I might be able to report on the tiller clutch before you are able to sail up there. 

I should be able to sail in SC in March/April.  So, if you find any more cool gear to outfit your CP16, let me know.

Take care, stay warm

Patrick
Semper Paratus

[Bob23]

Patrick and P-sail:
  I have the Tiller Clutch on my 23 and it works perfectly. Very well designed, simple to use and well built. Mine's out in salt water and no issues or problems. I previously tried the Davis Tiller Tamer and found it more awkward to use. It's nice to find a product that performs as it should and doesn't break the bank!
Cheers!!
Bob23