Another swabb on deck, reporting for duty!

[adifferentdrummer]

Ahoy! I've been enjoying the posts on this forum for some time now. The information offered by all you sailors here has been of great benefit to me in understanding how to proceed with the repairs and refitting of my little ship, and how to sail her. I tried to join several times over the past year and finally got in about a week ago.

Last year, in the winter of 08, I became the proud new owner of a not so new Com-pac 16, a 1978 model, which I was lucky to find for a good price in the nearby city of Maryville, TN. She had been neglected and was desperately in need of attention. I paid her ransom, then took her home and began giving her the care she so richly deserves. She, in turn, has rewarded me with many faithful miles of excellent sailing adventure, and has taught me more of the art and skill of sailing in just a few months than I could ever have learned in a life time of reading.

I've been doing most of my sailing on a beautiful, 30,000 acre, 43 mile long, 140 foot deep lake nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Douglas Lake in East Tennessee is a man-made lake, but you could never tell by looking at it or sailing on it, unless you happened to be sailing within sight of the dam. The panorama of the Appalachian mountain chain fills the southern horizon from east to west as far as the eye can see, and the foothills of the Smokies roll away to the north. There are countless secluded coves to poke around in and numerous tree covered islands to explore. The Tennessee Valley Authority maintains several good public boat ramps on Douglas, and there are a number of marinas offering slips, moorings, and other services to boaters. A few of the marinas even offer live music on weekends and holidays throughout the summer months. There are at least three restaurants I know of on the lake that you can sail right up to. Come see! I have pictures posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/adifferentdrummer

I'm looking forward to a healthy exchange of ideas and sailing tales. Thanks for letting me come aboard.

Milt  CP16  #635

[nies]

Milt, welcome aboard........I have CP16, hull no.650, which makes her your boats younger sister........Phil

[brackish]

Welcome aboard Milt, good to have you here.

Beautiful sailing area.

Frank 2

[nies]

Milt, great pictures and sailing area............Phil

[Glenn Basore]

welcome aboard milt..............

Looks like a nice lake to sail on............

Glenn B.

[adifferentdrummer]

Thanks to all for the hardy welcome. I've read many of your posts in the past and feel almost as if I already know you, but was never able to speak to you until now. It's good to have the gag removed and finally have a voice.

I see Phil's boat is almost as old as mine, just fifteen hulls more recent, and Frank is a neighbor somewhere here in the hills of East Tennessee. I'd like to see how many Com-pacs we could get together for a little cruise on one of the local area lakes sometime in the upcoming season. That would be a sight to see!

Douglas is, indeed, a beautiful lake, and large, and fun to sail on, but I would like to sail on as many of the other area lakes as I can find the time for. Perhaps some others on here can offer some advice as to where to put in on some of the other East TN lakes. I also hope to be able to make a trip to the coast for a saltier sailing adventure at some point in the not too distant future and would welcome any advice along those lines, as well. In the mean time, if anyone would like any information on Douglas lake, I sailed the larger part of it many times this season, from the head of Flat Creek where I live to the dam, and from the dam to the bridge at highway 92 and points beyond, and know all the best places and every place in between.

I guess our sailing season is pretty much done for this year, although I'm still living in denial. I keep the boat ready just in case I get a chance to steal one more from Old Man Winter before he set his icy grip firmly upon the land. At least, the lack of good sailing weather will afford more time to spend on boat chores to get her in top shape for next season.

Best Regards To All,
Milt  CP16  #635

[OkieBob]

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.

[don l]

Milt, welcome aboard, and fair winds!

cajun

[romei]

Welcome Milt.  Love the pictures.  It looks like a beautiful lake to sail and what I think I like most about it is that you seem to have it all to yourself! 

[Brian 1851]

     Welcome aboard Milt.  Your sailing area looks great for sailing.  Even though the sailing season is over, I'm not in denial any more because I am much further north, it is also a lot of fun to fix up the boat over the winter.  I know it is not as nearly as fun as sailing but it helps pass the time til you can sail again.  Again welcome, its always nice to have more people on the board to pool information, experiences, and ideas.

[adifferentdrummer]

Thanks Brian. Yes, it is cold here now, and the weather forecast is for snow this weekend. Looks like winter has finally grabbed us by the ballast. My last sail this season was November 17th. It was a very windy day and a bit chilly, but still a great day to be on the water. I tried again one week later, but that day was blowing a gale when I arrived at the lake, and I decided not to put in. I somewhat regret that decision now, but I'm afraid I would have regretted it more if I had put in. I was hoping for one more nice, relaxing sail; not to pit myself against the forces of nature. Additionally, the water is very low in the lake now due to the seasonal draw-down of the reservoir, and there are many rocky shoals that could reduce a boat to splinters in minutes if things went bad. I'm sure I made the right call.

One good thing about winter; it sort of forces us to go ahead and get started on those boat chores we had been putting off all season. My list has grown long, and I have already started on one project. I'm cutting hatches into the berths. I found that a little water had sneaked in under the starboard berth and caused some of the plywood to delaminate. I needed to open it up a bit to repair it and air it out, so I cut an 8 x 12 inch hatch and made a flush fitting lid. I liked it so much that I've decided to do the same on the port side. It's not really deep enough for any serious storage, just a hidey-hole, but I like having access to the area, and a way to air it out.

There is a special bond between sailor and boat. Working on it is a labor of love. It may not be quite as fun as sailing it, but it still brings you back into the Zen, and it's good to know that everything is fit and shipshape for when fair weather comes round again.

Milt

[B.Hart]

  Welcome milt, I agree theres nothing like the bond between a captain and their boat! I bought my 16 in a state of disrepair and was amazed how good of shape she actually was, a testament to how well they are built. Hope to hear of your sailing and repair adventures.  BILL

[adifferentdrummer]

Bill,

How cool! I thought mine was an old girl, but yours predates mine by three years and almost 600 hulls! Apparently, Hutchins was turning out about 200 hulls a year in their heyday. I've heard that they used more resin in the early days, before they figured out how strong the composite actually was. I'll bet yours is a particularly stout build. Do you have any pictures posted, or sailing adventures to share? How long have you owned her and what have you done to improve her?

Thanks, Milt

[Salty19]

Welcome to the forum, Milt!    Good choice on the 16, too!

[Bob23]

Hey there Milt: 
   I'm not a 16er but rather a 23er. Bob23 here at your service. Glad you are here. You are sure to find (and hopefully add to) wisdom, wit, opinions and much friendly help and camaraderie from your fellow Compac-tors!
Bob23 in NJ & s/v "Koinonia" 1985 23/2