First sail of 2009

[Gary]

Hi Folks:

Just a happy note now that we've finally taken our '92 COM-PAC 27/II out for her first sail of 2009 this past Saturday, the 20th of June.  Not much wind, but fun none the less.  Felt great, even though the diesel auxiliary quit while motoring back into the long channel to the marina.  Got it started again, now need to ascertain who, what, when & how?  As the key in the switch was extremely hot, I suspect a wiring (short or corrosion) problem potentially.  Have already used Corrosion Block on all connections on the panel backside after getting berthed.  Everything appears fine, but will need to take a really close look next weekend, especially on the engine wire connections.

The new roller furler worked very nicely and the new standing rigging looked to be functioning correctly.  Most sheets have now also been replaced.  So hopefully over the next couple of months we'll start to remember what we used to know about sailing from 40 years earlier and put it into practice.    Didn't have furler's, VHF's, wheels, etc. back then.

BTW, backing into our slip (which is against the marina's seawall all the way in) was not a great problem.  Just was slow and steady, especially when backing down into the slip itself.  Let the boat get a wee bit of way on first, so we would have steerage in reverse without any prop walking.

                                                                                                                           Best regards & Good Sailing,

                                                                                                                                      Gary & Kathy

[Nicolina]

Hi Gary,

Good to hear that you took her out and had fun. At about the same time, I was sailing on the other side of the Bay (Cape Charles) and thought it was a perfect day for a relaxed outing and lunch on the water - until the thunderstorms moved through.

I sent you an email about our earlier conversation on C-P 27 ownership. Hope to hear from you!

Jens

[Gary]

Hello Jens:

Thanks and we also did lunch on the water and had fun until the thunderstorms moved into our area.  Didn't make it back quite in time, but didn't get that wet.

As Kathy and I get a few more hours under our belts, we can then consider introducing you to our COM-PAC 27.

Have fun in the meantime.

                                                                    Gary

[doug]

Gary..

My wife and I were out on Saturday on our 16, the first time we got caught by the first thunder storm around 2pm or so. After the skies turned blue, I was out again, only to be chased back into the dock with the second storm with the horizontal rain. Sunday was a complete bust for me with the 16, just to much chop and wind on the river.

We dock in Hunton Creek (about 2-3 miles towards the bay from your Marina). Hope to see you guys on the water this summer on either our cp 16 or our soon to be seaward 26 rk.

[Gary]

Hi Doug:

We'll look for you on the water.  And yes, Sunday was blowing way too much.  We didn't venture out but headed home for chores.

Seaward 26.  Also a well built craft.  I was looking at them last year, and actually spoke to the President of that company.  Nice folks, but my better half wanted head room and head room .   We're getting too long in years to stoop, especially in the head.   And if my wife is not happy, I won't be either.

BTW, there is a Seaward (33 or 35) listed at Regent Point Marina.   Looked at it last weekend.


                                                                                                                            Thanks,   Gary

[doug]

Gary -- we have seen the 32 in Topping. We are acquiring the 26 rk because we think its a great craft capable of single handing, with weekend and week long trips while still fitting into our skinny slip with its skinny water (8'4" beam, 20" draft) the Seaward 32's beam is a problem as desire to walk out of the house and get on the boat. We almost grabbed a compac 27 last year but concerns about only being able to enter and exit our inlet at high tides kept us off the trigger. Of course if beam, draft and budget were not a problem, I'd love to get serious about a com pac 35, a shoal draft fast cruiser built in the compac style.

[Gary]

Hi Doug:

What you said makes total sense to me.  Good luck and lets us know how you make out.  We will be at our boat this Saturday.  If you're interested in going for a sail give me a shout this evening.  Home phone (after 6:30PM) 540-972-2042, or my office (8 - 5) 540-727-8510.


                                                                                                                 Thanks,   Gary