New member and new Com-Pac 27/2 owner

[Gary]

Hello Folks:

Merely wanted to say hello from a new member.   In process of purchasing a Com-Pac 27/2.  The marine survey transpires later this week (Annapolis, MD area) after which I'll be moving the boat to Virginia.

Will be based in the lower Rappahannock River (Topping,VA), just a few miles from the Chesapeake Bay.

The last boat we owned was a Pearson Arial back in 1970 or so.  Then kids came along, so we got into flying for the last 36 years.  Sold last aircraft in Nov. '07, lost FAA medical.   

As we previously enjoyed sailing, we decided to re-enter.  Trying to re-learn all aspects so I look forward to gleaning information on this websight.   

I would appreciate any information on the sailing qualities of the CP 27/2.   I'm hoping it's quite similiar to the Pearson Arial.

At any rate, hello to all and looking forward to future information/experience exchanges.


                                                                                          Best regards,

                                                                                             Gary

[Potcake boy]

Gary,
Welcome aboard and welcome back to sailing. Was that you that nailed the beautiful dark blue hull of late vintage? If so, you are a lucky dog - I've been looking at availability of 27s as a future prospect for myself and noticed what a jewel that one is. Congratulations in any case, I've admired that model since it first appeared at the Annapolis boat show. I'm sure you will enjoy her every sail on the Chesapeake.
By the way, the Rappahannock River is where boating begins on the Chesapeake. A few years back before moving from Maryland I took a cruise from Havre De Grace to Nags Head N.C. stopping at all the usual ports of call along the way. I was sad to find a great lack of hospitality in all of Maryland waters, and it was in a marina near the mouth of the Rappahannock River where I once again found what has always been an important aspect of sailing - camaraderie. To my amazement there were also some dolphins (not the ones from Miami) there.

Ron
CP19

[peterg]

Hi Gary,
  Congratulations on the 27/2 purchase. It is a great boat that I think will sail flatter and faster than your old Ariel, as well as provide more amenities and comfort. A friend up here in Barnegat Bay sails a 27/2  and she loves the way it handles. You are taking her to a great sailing area. I have a retirement house down the street from Topping on Sturgeon Creek in Deltaville, right at the mouth of the mighty Rappahannock, and will probably be taking our Compac 19 with us to hang on a mooring in the creek. The alternate is a small, shallow draft trawler. Retirement will consist of exploring the parts of the Chesapeake that were not accessible to our five foot draft Pacific Seacraft Orion that we sold last year. If any others are looking for a clean 27/2, there is one listed with Forked River Yacht Sales w/wind gen, reefer,AC/heat and is a clean vessel- $14500. It looks to be underpriced to me. Hope to see you out on the Chesapeake!!
Best Regards,
Peter G
Master After God of S/V Beagle

[Gary]

Hello peterg and Potcake boy:

I appreciate the welcome gents.  The survey transpires tomorrow, the 11th.  If it passes and the weather cooperates, I plan on bringing it down this weekend.

And actually this one has a white hull with boot stripe(Potcake boy).  It's a 1992 model but the price is  orders of magnitude above the one you mentioned (peterg) for $14,500 on Forked River Yacht Sales.  I'd agree that one is underpriced, assuming it's in decent condition and I'm surprised it hasn't been grabbed up!  Never saw that one and my wife and I spent the last 4 months looking.  We had concentrated on Cape Dory's, Com-Pac's, IP's, etc.

As I've been in the composites business for the last decade (predominately aerospace), I was looking for a vessel with no core, period.   Core works great in aircraft but not in marine applications from my research.  Don't want plywood, endgrain balsa, foam or honeycomb core anywhere.  The Com-Pac "core" material is tri-axial & bi-axial glass covered with hand laid up glass woven's from what I have been to dig up.

We will be basing at Regent Point Marina, Topping, VA and look forward to meeting folks in the sailing discipline/family once again.   In my past experience, sailing types and pilots have a lot in common in that they're good, knowledgeable and fun to be around type folk!

It was also nice to read that this vessel may sail flatter and faster than the Person Ariel.  We really enjoyed her and have always wondered what became of her after we sold her.   Her name was "Blue Piper".

Well gents, back to work for me.  Thanks again for the welcome and hope to meet you in the future.

                                                                                             Best regards,

                                                                                                   Gary

[Gary]

Hello peterg and Potcake boy:

I appreciate the welcome gents.  The survey transpires tomorrow, the 11th.  If it passes and the weather cooperates, I plan on bringing it down this weekend.

And actually this one has a white hull with boot stripe(Potcake boy).  It's a 1992 model but the price is  orders of magnitude above the one you mentioned (peterg) for $14,500 on Forked River Yacht Sales.  I'd agree that one is underpriced, assuming it's in decent condition and I'm surprised it hasn't been grabbed up!  Never saw that one and my wife and I spent the last 4 months looking.  We had concentrated on Cape Dory's, Com-Pac's, IP's, etc.

As I've been in the composites business for the last decade (predominately aerospace), I was looking for a vessel with no core, period.   Core works great in aircraft but not in marine applications from my research.  Don't want plywood, endgrain balsa, foam or honeycomb core anywhere.  The Com-Pac "core" material is tri-axial & bi-axial glass covered with hand laid up glass woven's from what I have been to dig up.

We will be basing at Regent Point Marina, Topping, VA and look forward to meeting folks in the sailing discipline/family once again.   In my past experience, sailing types and pilots have a lot in common in that they're good, knowledgeable and fun to be around type folk!

It was also nice to read that this vessel may sail flatter and faster than the Person Ariel.  We really enjoyed her and have always wondered what became of her after we sold her.   Her name was "Blue Piper".

Well gents, back to work for me.  Thanks again for the welcome and hope to meet you in the future.

                                                                                             Best regards,

                                                                                                   Gary

[Gary]

Hello peterg and Potcake boy:

I appreciate the welcome gents.  The survey transpires tomorrow, the 11th.  If it passes and the weather cooperates, I plan on bringing it down this weekend.

And actually this one has a white hull with boot stripe(Potcake boy).  It's a 1992 model but the price is  orders of magnitude above the one you mentioned (peterg) for $14,500 on Forked River Yacht Sales.  I'd agree that one is underpriced, assuming it's in decent condition and I'm surprised it hasn't been grabbed up!  Never saw that one and my wife and I spent the last 4 months looking.  We had concentrated on Cape Dory's, Com-Pac's, IP's, etc.

As I've been in the composites business for the last decade (predominately aerospace), I was looking for a vessel with no core, period.   Core works great in aircraft but not in marine applications from my research.  Don't want plywood, endgrain balsa, foam or honeycomb core anywhere.  The Com-Pac "core" material is tri-axial & bi-axial glass covered with hand laid up glass woven's from what I have been to dig up.

We will be basing at Regent Point Marina, Topping, VA and look forward to meeting folks in the sailing discipline/family once again.   In my past experience, sailing types and pilots have a lot in common in that they're good, knowledgeable and fun to be around type folk!

It was also nice to read that this vessel may sail flatter and faster than the Person Ariel.  We really enjoyed her and have always wondered what became of her after we sold her.   Her name was "Blue Piper".

Well gents, back to work for me.  Thanks again for the welcome and hope to meet you in the future.

                                                                                             Best regards,

                                                                                                   Gary

[Paul]

whoops.  Triple post.  Quite alright, though.  Gary, welcome and we all look forward to reading of your survey and first adventure with your new 27!

Regarding the core.  I think the surveyor will find that there are a couple of isolated spots where plywood core was used.  Hopefully he finds it all in good order.  Certainly, not cored as the Ariel and others of her vintage.

Regarding sailing characteristics.  I suppose is goes without saying, but thought I'd mention it anyway, that you will likely notice the difference between the 27 and the Ariel.  I'd suspect you'll notice it more when waves kick up a little.  Can't tell you about speed or inside comforts.  One who would know for sure is Captain Kurt.  He is one of the administrators of this site.  He can easily be found on his other site:  http://sailfar.net/  I think you'd really enjoy the site.  Kurt sold his CP-23 and moved up to the Pearson Ariel.    They are a great group!  I love to check in every once in a while and read up on their adventures.  Another group that may be of interest is the Classic Plastics site.  Lots of great information there as well.  http://www.plasticclassicforum.com/

Good luck with the survey and enjoy the reading.    If you snap some photos, we'd all love to see them.

[doug]

Gary,

We sail out of Hunton Creek, roughly 4 miles to your east on the way to the bay. There are a number of CP16's around (two in our neighborhood) but its the CP cats that tend to stand out (I know of at least 2 in deltaville). See ya on the water.

doug & Chris
cp 16

[Gary]

Hello Paul:

Thanks for the words of welcome to the group.   I'm re-entering a learning & remembering curve.  The triple post was due to my not at first finding how to respond to folks.  They hid it in plain view, the one place I never look, at least according to my better half.

Regarding the survey, all went very well with a couple of minor items.  As this vessel has really not been used for a year or two, the head does not pump.  So either I re-build/re-seal the pump or merely drop in a new head.  Also, the AC battery charger doesn't.  So that's also on my list.  Actually, she is almost like new down below decks, and just needs a good cleaning and waxing above deck.

The diesel auxilary has only logged 198 hours since new in 1992.   Last week it received new glow plugs, and two new batteries.  Starts & runs like a charm.   I believe partly due to the original owners (whom I'm purchasing from through a broker) always added Sta-bil to the fuel.

She motors fine and sails well under the jenny.  Couldn't raise the mainsail all the way.   Thought they'd have to get a rigger to check the sheave at the masthead.   Turned out if was an external sheave at mast base which turns the halyard aft to the winch.   Evidently it went up fine today according to the broker.  She is a very nice & knowledgeable individual, a real professional.  I'll find out (hopefully next Tuesday) when I plan on sailing it from the Annapolis, MD area down to the Deltaville, VA area.

Compared to the Pearsom Ariel (from a 36 year old memory) the Com-Pac seems to possess more freeboard, and also seems she sails somewhat flatter??  Handles quite nicely, although I'll need to get used to a wheel instead of a tiller.   I'm surpised the manufacturers put wheels on boats under 35 ft.  Doesn't make sense to me, but don't have any choice.

Once again, thanks for the welcome.

                                                                                         Best regards,

                                                                                            Gary

[Gary]

Hello Doug & Chris:

Thanks for the welcome.   

With any luck we'll be bringing the boat down to Topping, VA  (Regent Point Marina) during this coming week.

Kathy & I look forward to getting back into sailing and meeting new folks who are also into sailing.  We will be on the lookout for you when we're headed out to the bay in the future.

I would expect that we'll get some sailing in yet this year, but the first couple of weekends will be mostly spent cleaning/straightening it up, washing & waxing, etc.   Merely inventorying everything thats aboard will take the better part of a day.

I also plan to make a "squawk list" (don't recall the nautical term so I'll lapse into aviation terminology)  of minor things to be done as we go along and things of more importance to handle in a spring haul out.

You probably read my response to Paul that the boat went though the survey with no problems of any import.  I'm just amazed at the amount of time that it's taken us to get to this point in purchasing a new to us boat.

When we sold our last aircraft in fall '07 the deal, prospects pre-purchase inspection  (like a marine survey), etc. were all completed within a 2 1/2 week timeline.

Oh well, that's why we're getting back into sailing - to relax and slow things down somewhat and enjoy life.  I live in the aviation/aerospace marketplace which is dynamic, fast paced and enjoyable (at least to me).   I should probably retire, but I still enjoy this marketplace and people very much although the extensive air travel hasn't been any fun since 9/11/01.

We did spend approximately 4 months searching for the right boat for us.  Won't miss all the time spent travelling weekends to view offerings, many of which came no where the condition advertised.

When we finally found this Com-Pac 27/2 we felt extremely lucky.

BTW, if you can inform me of how to post photos on this website, I will do so.

Take care in the meantime and we look forward to meeting you in the future.

                                                             Best regards,

                                                              Gary & Kathy

[Paul]

Gary,

Sorry for the delay to post.  Great news to hear of the survey.  Best wishes in sailing her to her new home.  Have fun making her "yours." 

Let us know how the journey home went.

[don l]

Welcome from Colorado.

[mrb]

Welcome aboard Gary

Sounds as if you found a nice boat and pleased to be on the water again.  That makes for a winning combnation.  By this time you must be home and on a snug moorage.  If you haven't posted about your trip let us know how it went.

Cajun
Don't yall find dem bugs a little scrawny in dem der Colorado ponds.
mrb

[Gary]

Hello MRB:

Thanks for the welcome aboard.  Actually moved the boat from Grasonville, MD. over the 16th & 17th of Sept.

Basically motorsailed most of the way, in order to know an approximate arrival time.

The first day left Grasonville, MD (Kent Island Narrows) across the bay bridge from Annapolis, MD. just after noon.  A nice sunny day but not all that much wind, perhaps 5 - 8 knots.  Plus the wind was mainly from the stern quarter.   Other than that it felt great to be back on the water and made a 9:00PM arrival in Solomons Island, MD.   Sent one crew member to the restaurant at the fuel pier we tried up to to oder us dinner as they close at 9:00PM.  Just made it and a good thing as we were all starving.

The next day was also sunny, same type wind, and departed Solomons Island around 8:45AM.   The water was quite roiled where PAX river and then the Wilcominco enter the bay.  Confused enough water to roll me off a cockpit bench where I'd been snoozing and dumped me into the cockpit.

All in all, merely a nice trip down the bay.  The diesel quit 6 times the 1st day and only 4 times the second.  It would start right back up within 60 - 90 seconds. Turns out the fuel tank vent (through the transon vent) was plugged (since thoroughly cleaned/purged out).  The second day it ran for 6 hours before quitting.
The last time it quit was on the difficult approach to Regent Point Marina, Topping, VA.  Thin water all around, plus dozens of crab pots, etc.   A good thing it restarted within 60 seconds.

Since the trip down the bay my better half and I have been cleaning the boat, and taking care of all the minor maintenance items.   Hasn't left the slip yet.   Next weekend, after I change the engine oil, and  filters we'll finally be ready for our first sail.

It's a pretty boat and very solid in construction.   Now we merely need to remember how to sail.   

An interesting item is that we finally met the folks in the slip next to us, they have an O'day 37'.    They're a married couple and his brother.   They bought this boat in Feb. '08 at this marina.   The couple lives in Denver, CO and the brother in Phoenix, AZ.   Turns out they commute to this boat once a month.  Good thing one of them is with an airline.    This may be one of the longest continuing commutes I've yet heard.   Definitely sailors as she was up the mast twice yesterday in a bosun's chair.   I asked my wife to pay close attention as it's a good learning experience for her.   


                                                                                           Best regards,

                                                                                              Gary

[don l]

mrb

Yes for sure, but Louisiana delta crawfish heads are the best!  Raised on the bayou as a child, however just thinking of crawfish heads still bring fond memories of a  flesh sack of crawfish and a big, big, big cooking pot.  Where am I, Oh yes this about sailing...

don