Newbie Questions

[Sam in VA]

Hello,
I just bought a CP 16 and plan to get back into sailing after a few decades.  I love the boat, but I have a few questions about it...it's a 1985.

1) I see flotation in various locations, but no mention anywhere of the boat being unsinkable.  I assume its taking up space for some reason, but she does carry a fair amount of ballast for her size.  Is she unsinkable, or will a hole put me her on the bottom?

2)  I've seen mention of a leakage problem where the deck is joined to the hull in early boats.  Is 1985 an early model and prone to this problem?  Any other problem areas that I should look at/ attend to over the winter?

3)  The sliding hatch to the cabin on my boat doesn't overlap the removable wood part when closed, and looks like an opportunity for water to enter.  My wood has been replaced and is made from a flat piece of wood.  Was the original made differently, e. recessed in from the slides?

4)  The lazerette cover latch (elastic tied to the cockpit drain tubes that hooks over a center hook) looks rather shakey.  Will this hold up to a wave over the stern?

5)  I plan to keep the boat in the water for a few months each year and will paint the bottom with anti-fouling paint.  Can this be done on the trailer, i.e. is there a trick to getting behind the bolster boards?

Thanks in Advance,
Sam

[Glenn Basore]

Welcome Sam,

Congratulations on your boat.

I don't have the back ground on these boat to give you any advise ( Im new too)but rest assured, there are some knowledgable people on this site who will answer your questions shortly and get you on the water.

Sounds like your going to have a good winter project

[Ralph Erickson]

Welcome, Sam.  You will love the CP16.

I sold my 1985 CP16 to my brother this year, moving up to a CP19, so I can take a stab at answering your questions.

1.  The boat will sink if the cabin is filled with water.  It says something to that effect in the manual. 

2.  I never had a problem with leakage on my 16 where the deck is joined to the hull.  I've heard people tell of having that problem, but I don't believe it's a universal problem.

3.  In both my CP16 and my CP19, the hatch board (the removable wood part) has space on each side at the top.  I have no idea why it's built like that, and I've worried about water entering just as you are, but I never had a problem in either boat. 

4.  I'm not sure what you're referring to here.  Maybe someone else can answer.

Enjoy!!!!

[Paul]

Hi Sam and welcome to the forum!!

'85 was good year.

In the highly unlikely event there were enough water to enter the cabin suddenly, she would at best limp along......probably eventually sink.  Big hole would like do the same.  No one has ever lived to tell the tale, though.  )  Seems like Skip once wrote in this forum that Hutchins stated the polyurethane foam served two purposes:  slight flotation, stiffening the hull for forklift movement.  I recently removed the foam from the bow interior of my 16.

The hull/deck joint is sealed with 3M 5200 and either riveted in place or bolted.  Over time, there may develop small leaks in the joint which can usually be fixed by adding 5200 as needed.  No need to completely remove the deck for this.    Just check for "docking damage."

When writing about the hatch, it sounds as if the hatch does not completely close over the wooden cover.  It's likely that there are spaces on the left and the right top of the board for venting (and wasp entry), but the covers should "cover."  Clear as mud, right?

Waves over the stern are also highly unlikely.  However, good to be prepared, none the less.  Depending on how handy you are, you may be able to replace the hinge and add a latch to ensure it will remain closed.  Typically, any weight on the hatch, like that created by a wave, would simply keep the hatch closed, but who knows.  Another option, would be to replace the bungees with tighter ones to keep it closed.

The boat actually rests on the keel rollers.  The other boards simply keep from tipping one way or the other.  I dropped mine when the boat and trailer were level and could easily reach the bottom.  Kevin has several good photos of cleaning and painting the bottoms of his CP's.  You can look in the gallery for photos of this and others who have accessed their boats while on the trailer.  I have some in there, too.

Other things to inspect.  Check the space where the compression post bolts to the bulkhead.  Make sure it's dry in there.  Also, check the bow eye.  Make sure there is sealant sufficient to keep water out.  Check the chainplates.  Check the rudder.....see other posts regarding the Idasailor rudder.

Good luck.  These are fun little boats.  I think you'll really enjoy her and this forum.  Have fun!

[mgoller]

Hi Sam,

You'd have to work really hard to sink a CP 16.  I don't think you can sail fast enough to put a hole in her.  More likely you will endure more damage out of the water or by not tying her up at the docks.  Absent a big hole in the hull I would be curious how even a knockdown with hatch open could sink a 16.  She just wouldn't stay blown over long enough to take that much water.

But great question about why the flotation.  I think Paul and Skip are probably right that it is stiffening and a way to keep the boat afloat if just partially filled.

The hatch board should be cut so that the companionway hatch has be slid closed and lifted slightly over the hatch and then pulled out closed over the hatch.  Someone probably cut the board wrong.  Trim as necessary.

The lazarette cover will stay on and keep you dry, no worries.  You may want to refresh the bungees every couple years.