Another swabb on deck, reporting for duty!

[adifferentdrummer]

Thanks Salty19,

It really is a great little boat, and I don't think I could have done much better for a first sailboat. She's been a great learning platform.

I hate to admit it, but once I decided I wanted to buy a boat, it took me two years to narrow my choices down and finally make a purchase.  I wanted a bigger boat with a head and a galley and lots of storage, etc., but when reality finally set in, I realized I needed something small and light-weight enough to haul with my current vehicle, and something that I could set up and break down in about half an hour by myself.  Other considerations were that it must be safe and stable (unlikely to capsize, self-righting, and able to take a blow);  it should have a cabin at least large enough for two to sleep in (and a place for a porta-pot);  it should have a shallow draft to allow for gunk-holing and getting close to the beach;  it should be low maintenance (minimal moving parts);  it should have a good resale value in case I ever decided to trade for something else later on; it should have good support in the form of active internet based owners groups.  These requirements pushed quite a number of boats off my shopping list. 

The boat I ended up buying was not at the top of my list, but it was only a short drive from where I lived, it fit the prescribed criteria fairly well, and the price was good.  I offered half the asking price and after only the briefest pause, the seller shook my hand and said, "deal,"  and for $700, I became the proud new owner of a 1978 Com-Pac 16.  True, she's an old girl, but she's a fine looking little ship and still has the spirit of many half her age.  In retrospect, I probably should have had the Com-Pac 16 at the top of my list.

Milt

[nies]

Milt, you should be ashamed of taking advantage of that guy, $700, after reading your posts about the boat, I think you should send another check out of gratitude to him for putting you in the finest pocket cruiser in the world, or at least a xmas card.........Phil

[adifferentdrummer]

Ahoy there, captain Bob, and thanks for the welcome. This is a great group, and I'll be happy to contribute whatever I can that may be of interest or use, and I'll try not to disappoint. Such a fine line of yachts deserves to have a fine support group or two, and, like I said, that was one of my primary considerations in deciding which boat to buy. I've had her out in all kinds of weather, and I've done quite a long list of repairs and a few minor improvements, so hopefully I will have something to offer when someone asks the right questions.

I like your personal text, "All men die; few men really live." It says a lot. It reminds me of some of the sayings of my favorite poet, e. e. cummings, who said, among other things, "Unbeing dead isn't being alive."; "I imagine that yes is the only living thing."; and, "I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach ten thousand stars how not to dance."

Best Regards,
Milt

[adifferentdrummer]

You got me on that one, Phil. I think a Christmas card is definitely in order; with a picture of my little pride and joy on the front! I don't think he really needed the money so much, but he probably would appreciate knowing that the boat is being enjoyed and well cared for.

Milt

[nies]

Milt, you are really a good guy, glad you found the forum ........Phil

[B.Hart]

  Hi milt, I got my 16 about 5 years ago and had to replace the half the stbd bunk the po had removed. I also rebuilt the cabin house roof and mast step(from the inside) had to re-glass the ballast, buff, wax, new bottom paint, etc.... I fell in love with the 16 in the 80's and always wanted one, then found one in the local paper. Great deal on your 16, Iknow it will give you many years of service. Central Florida has thousands of lakes but very few sailboats, they are mostly on the coast.     BILL

[adifferentdrummer]

Bill,

Sounds like you had to do some extensive refurbing to put your little girl right. It never is really finished, is it?... sort of a never ending labor of love. I have quite a few projects on my list for this winter, but that's all part of the joy of it. What's that saying?... "There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

I just noticed Romei had posted that one thing he liked about my sailing area is that it looks like I have it all to myself. That's probably due to the fact that my days off this season were falling on Monday and Tuesday rather than on the weekend. The lake is a very popular fishing spot and gets a lot of traffic on weekends. It can be pretty busy on weekdays in peak season, but it is large and there is plenty of water for everybody. Unfortunately though, there are many power boats and only a few sailboats. There are a few sailboats slipped in marinas that I've never seen leave the dock, and there are only two others I have actually seen out sailing. This is hard for me to understand, because it really is a beautiful lake to sail on.

I appreciate all your responses and apologize for not replying to each one. Between my job, family, cats, boat, etcetera, time has a tendency to get away from me. Maybe I'll find a balance once I settle into the rhythm of things here. Again, I thank you all for welcoming me aboard your fine forum.

Milt

[adifferentdrummer]

Milt, it's great what you have done with her.  I believe I saw some pics of her on the yahoo?  I've been bit by the refurb bug, and hope to fix-up my '76 CP-16.

It took me a few months to get into this site, but you definitely had a bit of wait.  Thanks for hanging in there.  Looking forward to more pics.

OkieBob,

I've added pictures of some more of my refurb projects. Maybe you'll find some inspiration there. http://picasaweb.google.com/adifferentdrummer

Milt

[OkieBob]

Milt,

Great pics.  I particularly like when members have exposed the mysterious hidden areas of their boats.  Thanks for sharing.

[adifferentdrummer]

Thanks David,

I bought her last winter about this time and set right into working on her. I finally got her wet in April of this year and sailed her all season, and sailed her pretty hard a few times. Most of the summer the winds were light, but I had some terrific winds on a few outings, got caught in a few storms, and even got knocked down on one occasion. No damage done, and big lesson learned.

Now that the winter weather has settled in and she's covered over with a tarp, the boat chores on my list will start getting ticked off one by one, until she's all fit and trim and ready for a new season to begin. Maybe I'll even make a trip to the coast for a bit of sailing next season. If I do, I'll be asking for advice on where to put in and do a little cruising.

Milt

[adifferentdrummer]

Milt,

Great pics.  I particularly like when members have exposed the mysterious hidden areas of their boats.  Thanks for sharing.

Yes, those mysterious hidden areas leave a lot to the imagination. If I keep this boat long enough (and I can't imagine ever letting her go), I may end up doing what CaptK did; separate the deck from the hull and rip out and rebuild everything.

I did a little more work today, and took some more pictures, but haven't had a chance to post them yet. I'm still working on the water damage under the starboard berth. I put the winter cover on this afternoon, and it's a good thing. It has been pouring rain all evening. They are calling for sleet and snow and teeny temps by the end of the week.

Milt

[OkieBob]

Milt,

Keep on sharing the photos.  I'm considering removing the deck myself, my only fear is that I won't get it back on as good as it currently is; lollygagger is in pretty good shape, although when I get to doing the serious digging, I may findout otherwise.

For some reason my mind seems intent on replacing the concrete ballast with lead.  We'll see.  First off I need to obtain the lead.

[nies]

OkieBob, Dad favorite "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"......he had a son who was always fixing "it".......Phil

[Bob23]

Milt:
   You need to tell your mind to forget the lead and leave the concrete alone. I don't think the boat cares if it's lead or concrete as long as it weighs the same. I agree with Phil. Don't try to fix what ain't broke....it's just gonna get broker.
Bob23

[OkieBob]

Phil,

You said it.  But 'where the mind goes the body will follow.'