Ever wonder what's really inside the CP 16?

[Gil Weiss]

Craig,

If the blisters haven't changed things are OK. Another cause of blistering is water or just dampness inside the hull. My GP14 hull blisterd a lot on the outside of the side flotation tanks. When I had the blisters removed and bottom coated with epoxy barrier coating, the marina shop also cut holes and installed hatches (like on the seats of my CP16) so I could leave the air tanks open when the boat was not being sailed to keep things dry inside. Condensation caused the problem.

Having been through a bout with blisters, I am a firm believer in barrier coat and then bottom paint.  My CP 16's previous owner did both and I apply new bottom paint every year or two. The bottom of my hull is in perfect condition form this effort.

Rick,

I use Shark White Aquagard Bottom Paint . It is also light gray and it works great. It is water based, easy to use and doesn't smell like most bottom paint.

[Rick Evans]

Thanks for the input on blisters.  I wish I had put on some epoxy barrier paint first but it just slipped my mind.  Hopefully, it won't make a difference.  If you're interested, here's a link to a yacht broker near where we keep our other boat.  He wrote an article on blistering.  It's a big and very reputable brokerage so I would think he should know what he's talking about.  http://www.yachtworld.com/sealake/sealake_8.html

On the other hand, I ran into a fellow who had plunked down $400,000 for a brand new Gozzard yacht.  He's owned it two years of which all but a few months it's been out of the water due to major blistering problems.

[Gil Weiss]

Rick,

In addition to my actual experience with blisters I have read and heard lots of opinions. I believe that there are so many variables involved from a boat's actual hull construction the day it was made, to usage, water and storage conditions that anything is possible. My GP14 had a few large (quarter size) blisters on its sides above the water line that stabalized once I got the hatches put into the flotation tanks so I vcould keep the tanks dry inside. I do believe that the bottom would have become a problem had I not repaired the blisters and barrier coated  it. After the work we sailed that boat three more seasons and the gelcoat remained stable. I know the guy that bought it and the bottom, two seasons later, still looks like new - and the boat is a 1967! We kept it in the water 5 months a year.

I too have heard horror stories from people whobuy a new expensive boat and it then blisters. I have heard that amny dealers don't mention barrier coating, or make a big deal about it, to kep the price down in order to make a sale.

I was lucky to find  1990 CP16 with a pristine hull, above and below the boot stripe. As mentioned, it came barrier coated and by using bottom paint the hull is still in perfect shape after we have sailed it for two seasons.

Personally, I will always use a barrier coat and then bottom paint. Some boat bottoms I see where I sail when they are hauled out for the season are UNBELIEVABLY NASTY - 2 inches of green stuff hanging off another inch of flaking bottom paint, etc. Typically these are the same boats using clothes line for the running rigging.

[Rick Evans]

I wanted to share a tip with you all just in case you're as dumb as me.  Sweet Laraine came with the original trailer which, despite its share of rust, was in acceptable condition.  I replaced the lights which were totally shot.  They didn't go on.  I checked my car harness and it worked on another trailer so I new the car part of it was fine.  So, I replaced the trailer lights a second time thinking the first replacement kit was somehow defective.  Again, no lights went on when I connected it to the car.  Yet, when I connected it directly to a 12V battery, the trailer lights went on.  Any guesses what was wrong?

My trailer has a pivoting tilt mechanism on the tongue which allows one to tilt the trailer up or down when launching/retrieving the boat.  The practical effect of this is that this is a two piece trailer and the rear end isn't connected to the front for purposes of grounding.  It took me awhile to figure it out but finally I did.  The solution is to screw a wire into the tongue leading to the rear part of the frame after the pivot point so the two parts of the trailer are electrically connnected for grounding purposes.  Maybe this was easy for you guys but, for me, I was stumped.

[Craig]

Rick,

As I was reading your post (and before I got to the end) I thought to myself, "The trailer is not grounded to the tow vehichle properly."  Having struggled with similar issues it's one of the first things I now check.  A rusty tow ball or hitch will cause the same problems.

Craig

[Gil Weiss]

Are there any reports of anyone having used the tilt feature? Two boats ago I used my trailier's tilt feature with great success. Seems most CP sailors ignore it or say it doesn't work?

The grounding issue is a good one - thanks Rick

[Craig]

Gil,

I've got it but have never used it.  My experience launching so far has never tempted me to try it.  Maybe I ought to just to see how it works.

Craig

[Ole RB]

I have the Hutch Tilt Trailer for my 16 and every so often I launch at a ramp that I'll use the tilt function.  Generally, I'll have to use the tilt to launch the boat but about half the time it's not necessary to tilt the trailer to recover the boat.

It's easy to use and always works great.  Just don't forget to put the locking pin back in the trailer tongue.

[Gil Weiss]

Yo Ole RB . . . thanks for the info re the tilt function. My problem has been at retrieval. I now use an 18" hitch extender to haul my CP16 out and it keeps my tires high and dry. I have pondered using the tilt feature but never tried it. It might align the boat real well on the trailer too.

You are a lucky man owning to CP16's. That's a new one for me.

Talk about DUMB! I beat Rick, big time. This past season we hauled the boat out, cleaned it up, packed it up and then I removed the hitch extender. I didn't reseat the lynch pin in the hole in the receiver (I was behind the receiver not realizing the hitch was too far out) and when I went to "go" the hitch pulled out and the trailer plopped down. Talk about feeling DUMB! It was on grass and the "plop" was maybe 10" so no damage was done. My first mate yelled and I immediately stopped my truck. Talk about feeling stupid!!! I thought I had done all those stupid mistakes before? Live and learn! I am sipping some ole Southern Comfort here which is probably why I told this story.

(There are dumber people and better stories though . . . one guy sunk his truck at the ramp this year and there were several other mishaps.  You need to really be careful launching and retrieving.

On a  related topic, I just posted a picture of my wife and I in the Image Gallery in Com-Pac People (ignore the non Com-Pac boat). You all will now be able to recognize us at the Sail Expo show in Philadelphia later this month!

Regards, Ole Dumb Gil

PS/ Keep your comments to yourself regarding this post!

[Craig]

Gil,

LOL!!  We've all done dumb stuff!  Now I really do want to hear how someone managed to turn his truck into a submersible! :lol:

Craig

PS.  Maybe it's time we start a new subject.  This one has gone way off topic.

[bro t]

Hi Gil,
my cp16 came on a 'Magictilt' trailer, and it is VERY handy on shallow ramps.  I don't put the car or truck in more than a couple inches of water, and the boat literally rolls off and on the bunks quite well, other than the launching being dry!   The retrieval especially is easy when the tilt goes up about 2 feet, and just rolls smooth and centered.   How could we actually start a new subject, this one covers everything!?

[Gil Weiss]

Bro t,

Thanks for sharing your positive tilt trailer experiences. My trailer is the standard hutch trailer which I assume is a MagicTilt? It does have the tilt function. At my ramp, when I get the trailer far enough into the water to easily pull the boat on, it typically doesn't always go on perfectly straight. It occurred to me that by using the tilt function and not backing in so far might center the boat a tad better?

Good point on this thread going off topic. Since Rick finished his teriffic restoration of Sweet Lorraine we all kind of got side tracked here. Why don't we consider this thread closed ( unless you want to address the Sweet Lorranine project) and the next person to post a reply open a new topic?

Later, Gil

[multimedia_smith]

I have not had any problems launching/retrieving since I made the trailer extender... the boat just floats off and I even have to pull up some when retrieving because it actually goes a bit deep.

The tilt mechanism has always frightened me... the idea of the boat launching at an angle like that and gaining momentum... but then I do the operation with the rudder locked in the "down" position and have never had a problem.  It seems like the rudder would have to be locked "up" for the tilt launch or else risk breaking off at the transom or worse.

here's the link to see the extender:

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=173

Went sailing today... temps in the low 70s wind at start 9-11 and at end 11-13 ( I checked the wind observation link when I got back... in case you can input a different zip into it... here it is also:)


http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lix/cgi-bin/previous2.php?pil=LIXOSOLIX&version=0

I know we'll have major payback for this nice weather come next summer!   but for now...
Fair Winds
Dale

[bro t]

Hey, one more thought on the launching with tilt:  I do leave the rudder up while launching, and I try to wet the hull and bunks a little to help the slide. :?   But in shallow launches, where the keel is submerged, but not the hull to waterline, I unhitch the winch rope and clip on a 20' line, then push up on the bow or the tongue, it takes about 50 (?) pounds of lift, for a guess, at most, and then the roll begins and its off to the end of my lead.  In some ways it's a bit hokey, but I have had good success with this since I tuned the bunks to the keel rollers, so the rollers really do all the carrying and weightbearing.  You lucky dogs that go sailing in January. :?   I've been cross-country skiing nearly every day for almost a month, so I can't complain too loudly!  (another favorite thing to go and play).  Happy Sails To Y'all.
bro t. from Upwest Maine

[Rick Evans]

Gentlemen,this weekend, God willing, Sweet Laraine will be launched.  The restoration is complete.  Two nights ago I installed the Garlick swim ladder and confirmed that, at least for my hull, it is solid glass although maybe I just got lucky with the mounting location.  A Weems & Plath oil lamp hangs in her cabin along with a brass bell by son got me for Christmas bearing the name Sweet Laraine on the side.  Any last minute words of wisdom?  I have no clue what it's like to sail a CP 16.  But, after a couple hundred man hours and about $2,000 in new stuff, she's ready to go.