Engine Access

[crazycarl]

Trying to decide on 3 boats. One being a 1988 Compac 27.  How good is the engine access? I'm no mechanic, but if I needed to perform maintenance while cruising, I would like a boat with good engine access.

[TopsailB]

Of all the inboards on boats I've owned, engine access on my CP-27 is by far the easiest. Port and starboard lazarettes are large and deep, and front access under the steps is clear. Contortion not required for any maintenance.

If you'd like to go through my boat PM me and we can arrange it. I'm in Duck Creek Marina.

[deisher6]

Hey Crazy:
Ditto Topsail.  I have had two 1988 C-27's, for around 8 years.  The access to, especially the engine, and most systems is excellent.  (even for an old guy)  I have not messed with the plumbing or electrical systems very much but had no problem with stuff like head maintenance and replacing the water heater.

The Universal 12 is a solid easily maintained engine.

Following this blog for the past couple of years, I think that just about anything that can be done to a C-27 has been documented....but I do not recall an engine replacement.

Good luck.
regards charlie

[MacGyver]

I went and surveyed a ComPac 27 for Wes a while ago (I cant even think how long ago it was, hope Wes is still enjoying the boat!) and I can honestly say I was happy with the layout of that boat and access to most things I could think of.
I have been in J boats where even changing oil was a seemingly life and death situation LOL working hard to get into just the right position to get the work done.

One thing in question would be the packing gland, as some of them are not at all in a good location, I cannot recall the 27's location sadly.......

Very solid built like previous ComPacs I have been on that sold me on the brand.
Mac

[crazycarl]

I asked because I'm not a mechanic and don't care to work on engines, but if I'm away from home and the engine needs service, I want an easy access.  With that said, I have been looking at 3 boats.
A 1988 Compac 27, 1986 Island packet 27, and a 1990 27' Pacific Seacraft Orion.  Each has it's + and -

note: at normal pool, we have 42" of water at our dock. a strong south wind can drop that to 36" in an hour.

Compac: + Smallish for a 27 so I'm assuming easier to dock and handle.  + I could purchase a trailer and haul it in the event of a hurricane. + The boat is in Mississippi and could be sailed home during the colder months. + It also has a/c and a full bimini. - 3 1/2' draft.
-Association dock $125/month and no electric. Asking price $19,500


Island Packet: + Wide beam and spacious interior. + Largest head of the 3 boats. Dodger and "Mack Pack" on the main.  + Cockpit sole opens to access engine. +- Centerboard that only draws 2 1/2' board up. + Great for Florida and the Bahamas. + No problem keeping it our dock. - Boat is located in Massachusetts so it would need to be hauled and stored over the winter, then launched again in the spring, or trucked here.  Asking price $29,500


Orion: + Most seaworthy of the 3. (ocean route to Bahamas instead of ICW) - 4' draft would not allow me to store it at our dock most of the year. - Association dock $125/month and no electric.  + Cockpit sole opens to access engine. + The boat I planned on purchasing for retirement.  + By far the nicest interior.  + Full bimini that connects to a dodger. + "Mack Pack".  + Stove and double bowl sink.  + Auto helm.  - A lot exterior teak.
+ Boat is located 1/2 hour away (motoring).  Asking price $39,500

[MacGyver]

Carl,

I can honestly say I would try to avoid centerboards but also consider them in the same sense if you know the potentials of problems with them.
Dependent on construction methods of course (as always!) Many I found to be a cantankerous ordeal. I have replaced many over the years and fought many due to all sorts of issues. If made and coated correctly from the start, they do hold up well, especially with upkeep similar to teak. Yearly if I had one, I would check it over head to toe before launch. especially the mechanics behind raising and lowering it.

Also a note on fixed keels as you know, that is your depth meter for sure, having the shallower draft is great.

They all look great, your retirement looks fun indeed!
Mac

[Cpy23ecl]

Not familiar with the Orion, and haven't sailed either of the other 2, but have looked at several IP in the past and have owned 2 compac.  In my opinion the IP have noticeably better quality as well as fit and finish, not that compac is bad.

Plus I used to badly want an IP, but couldn't afford it at the time.

Fred

[TopsailB]

A number of boats ago I seriously considered an Island Packet 31. Even had it surveyed. The surveyor gave a good report but noted that he could give no opinion regarding the chainlates. IPs have chainplates fiberglassed into the hull. There is no way to determine if crevice corrosion is occurring without removing cabin furniture and using a destructive process to expose them. I suppose most are just fine, but replacement is expensive. I opted for a Bristol 35.5 at the time rather than take the risk. An IP that has had the chainplates replaced would have been fine, but the few I found were priced at a point I couldn't justify. External chainlates are a plus in my view.

[crazycarl]

Yes, the chainplates can be a huge issue. I looked into the cost of having them replaces with titanium. $13,000-$15,000!
However, another search found that less than 1% have ever failed, and I could only find 2 instances of a dismasting.  As long as the boat has been properly maintained, it isn't an issue.  With that said, it would always be lurking on my mind when the wind increases.