Newcomers looking forward to new activity - Southwest Florida

[newtwo]

(Copied & Pasted from New Member request reply as a hello to all.)
Hello -

No, I'm not a spammer or advertiser.  Glad to oblige your "about myself" request.

I just bought my second Com-Pac 19.  It's basically a return to my sailing roots, since the first sailboat I ever owned was a Com-Pac 19.  Funny that I was actually looking for a motor boat at the 1988 Asbury Park, NJ winter boat show.  Walked around and nothing seemed to be right.  Anyway, walked by some sailboats, heard the click click of a slow turning winch, looked over and saw a Com-Pac for the first time.  Salesman said hello and I ended up not only aboard a sailboat for what I think was the first time in my life, but also a new boat owner.  I didn't even know how to steer a sailboat at the time or the difference between a main and a jib.  I also didn't know how lucky I was until sometime later that my first boat was a Com-Pac.  Of course there is no way to know, but I don't think any other boat in that size/weight range would have shaped my entire impression of boating, and especially sailing, the way that boat did.  Anyway it was a 1988 19/3 that I sailed for 4 or 5 years in New Jersey lakes and the Chesapeake Bay.

It's been a while since I've been on a sailboat this size.  Spent time with a Columbia 26, Cape Dory 28, and Southern Cross 28 since the days of my first Com-Pac.  This time it's a 1986 19/2, Hull # 339.  I've got a few projects and some updating underway and am looking forward to a launch in the near future.  It's been at least 5 years since I've trimmed a sail.

I think I plugged in a user name here of NewTwo, that went to the 2 of 19/2 and the two of us, Rick and Mary Ellen.  We'll be sailing/trailering out of Englewood Fl, just north of Charlotte Harbor.  She's beautiful (I was thinking of Mary Ellen, but the boat is also although she could use a little work), I'm bald, if the hull buffs out like I think it will it will be the Com-Pac cream with brown sheer and water line stripes, the sails are old so a little dingy and probably baggy. If you see us say hello, we're looking forward to meeting other sailors on the water or otherwise.

Happy Sailing!  --  Rick, Mary Ellen, and presently unnamed 19/2

[Bob23]

Rick and Mary Ellen:
   Hello! while you won't catch me on the warm Florida waters, I'm usually hanging around here on the site. I sail in NJ- Barnegat and Manahawkin bays, not too far from Asbury.
   Enjoy your 19. I just had a great sail on a friends 19 just this past Saturday. You can read about it at the Lounge here. It's entitled "Dramatic Rescue (s).."
Bob23 in NJ

[brackish]

Hi, Rick, Mary Ellen,

I'm also back on the water (or will be in a couple of weeks depending on back ordered stuff) as an owner after a lengthy period of crewing for others.  Also downsizing with my Com-Pac 23.  Owned a Columbia 24 Contender and a Columbia 8.7 prior to the Com-Pac.

I'm not close but will be sailing your waters at some time in the future.  Retired, the plan is to configure about a dozen or so week long loop cruises (intercoastal and outside) from the Mississippi barrier islands to Key West over the next few years.  The Com-Pac's shallow draft and relatively high motion comfort factor make it well suited for that endeavor.  Will give a shout for local knowledge and maybe a joint sail when I hit your area.

Frank

[Potcake boy]

Hi Rick & Mary Ellen and welcome to this outstanding Compac forum.

My name is Ron and I live in Punta Gorda so we are sailing neighbors.  I also am sailing a 19, and have had a few other Compacs through the years including a 16 (my first store bought boat 1979) and a Picnic Cat.  These are unique small yachts and it's a testimony to their builder that so many early vessels are still happily sailing the waters from lakes to the oceans.  These boats could teach the Energizer bunny a few things.

Is she ready to sail now? I have been contemplating a 2-3 day cruise of the harbor next week.  Would you be up to joining me for a day or two? I might do the Boca Grande - Pelican Bay - Matlache circuit or some version of it.

Let me know: roneweber (at) comcast (dot) net

Ron

[newtwo]

Rick and Mary Ellen:
   Hello! while you won't catch me on the warm Florida waters, I'm usually hanging around here on the site. I sail in NJ- Barnegat and Manahawkin bays, not too far from Asbury.
   Enjoy your 19. I just had a great sail on a friends 19 just this past Saturday. You can read about it at the Lounge here. It's entitled "Dramatic Rescue (s).."
Bob23 in NJ

Hello Bob - Thanks for the welcome and the story. I pulled a lot of crabs and blowfish out of Barnegat as a kid. Threw lots of quarters into the Parkway baskets too. Enjoy the summer, happy sailing!

[newtwo]

I'm not close but will be sailing your waters at some time in the future.  Retired, the plan is to configure about a dozen or so week long loop cruises (intercoastal and outside) from the Mississippi barrier islands to Key West over the next few years.  The Com-Pac's shallow draft and relatively high motion comfort factor make it well suited for that endeavor.  Will give a shout for local knowledge and maybe a joint sail when I hit your area.

Frank

Hey Frank -
Thanks for the welcome. Sounds like a great plan. We'll look forward to hearing from you in the future.

[jamato323]

Welcome Rick & Mary Ellen:
I also came back to ComPac after a six year mental lapse into power boating. I also sailed a Cape Dory 28 and then a Morgan 32 in Buzzard's Bay, MA. This is our second SunCat, Sanura Hull #345. We also live in the Englewood area  and sail Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound as well as Charlotte Harbor. There is no better made or better looking boat IMHO. Again welcome.
Paul

[newtwo]

Welcome Rick & Mary Ellen:
I also came back to ComPac after a six year mental lapse into power boating. I also sailed a Cape Dory 28 and then a Morgan 32 in Buzzard's Bay, MA. This is our second SunCat, Sanura Hull #345. We also live in the Englewood area  and sail Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound as well as Charlotte Harbor. There is no better made or better looking boat IMHO. Again welcome.
Paul

Hey Paul -
Great to hear from a Lemon Bay sailor.  We plan to put in at Indian Mounds and check out Lemon Bay as a first outing.  Thanks for the welcome.  We hope to run into you down the road.  Rick

[jamato323]

Hey Paul -
Great to hear from a Lemon Bay sailor.  We plan to put in at Indian Mounds and check out Lemon Bay as a first outing.  Thanks for the welcome.  We hope to run into you down the road.  Rick
[/quote]

Indian Mound Park is a great place to launch, and free, just make sure you get there early or late in the afternoon (when the winds pick up) as it gets very crowded on weekends. Lots of nice places to launch in the area. Also check out El Jobean on Tippicanoe Bay.
Paul