Prospective Houston owner seeks advice

[Richard]

I am a houston resident interested in a Com-Pac 16. Unfortunately, I don't have any idea about how long it takes to rig and launch this model. Rapid and easy launching is important to me, since none of my children are known for their patience at boat ramps. I have been put off the Sun Cat by the price , and hope a 16 would be an acceptable (and perhaps interim) substitute.
  Are there any Houston/ Galveston CP 16  owners  who could show me how the boat is rigged and/ or launched? thanks to all for your help.

[Gil Weiss]

Hi Richard,

The CP 16 is a WONDERFUL sailboat. Very comfortable, sails easy, sails well, it's safe and it looks good too. It might not be the fastest, but it sure is stable and can handle a lot of wind and sea for its size. It handles like a much larger boat.

Folks here like Craig Maven trailer sail a lot and can answer your question. However, from my own experience and what I hear from others I believe you can rig the boat and be ready to launch in 30 minutes or less once you have some experience. I only launch and retrieve once each year since we keep the boat in the water all season. After three years I still take about an hour to rig it, but I do it in a methodical manner.

All CP's are excellent boats by all reports. The Suncat is fine but you will have the flexibility of having two sails. I find our 16 sails great on just the main on windy days.

Anyway, enjoy your new boat and all the good folks here.

[bro t]

Hi Richard, I'm sure you will love a CP16, it's such a well built and stable boat.  As far as set-up goes, it really depends on what you have for help.  If I'm doing it with someone who only helps when you tell them what you need done, 30 to 40 minutes is the best from backing down the ramp to leaving the dock.  However, my 14 year old son will have the boat docked and mast ready to step (with wind indicator installed) by the time I park and get back to the dock.  He does everything so methodically, it doesn't take 20 minutes from ramp to underway.  Maybe one of your kids will use their impatience to make launching expeditious?  Best of luck and fair winds!
bro t from Upwest Maine

[multimedia_smith]

I average about a half hour from arriving to sailing... We used to have a hobie and the CP steps a lot easier with the bolt at the base of the mast.  I stand on the bow and hoist it up with the forestay so I don't even have to walk forward... I just pull and then attach the forestay.
I usually have my wife drive a separate car and leave 20 minutes after I do with our daughter... they leave me when we dock and I don't have to put them (and ME!) through their waiting on the rigging/de-rigging.  I'm very methodical and probably would go slower with help.  When my daughter does come with just me... I give her "important jobs" so she feels like she is participating.
I just love this little boat!
:lol:

[Craig]

Richard,

The time it takes to rig and launch, or retrieve and stow can be greatly reduced by thinking through the process and doing a minimum amount of derigging.  
I never detach the side stays.
I have a 2 stroke, 2 HP (very lightweight) outboard that I leave on the motor mount, but run a line under the mount and over the stowed mast right at the holder the PO devised.  I use this line to tie down the mast, to launch the boat off the trailer and tie up after launch when I park my truck.  
I have a permamently mounted holder on the pulpit for the mast.  The mast is help up aft by a simple sissors shaped holder that fits in the lazarette gutter (the previous owners design).
I tie the rig down with both bungies and rope, and that adds a few minutes, but I feel safer on the road with two lines at each end of the mast.  
I use bungie sail ties to keep the standing rigging in place while trailing and use these to tie up the main sail while I launch.  
I have a bolt rope as opposed to slugs on the main.  Very easy to rig the main and I do not have to mess with a stop.
I have a very simple jb downhaul that allows me to attach the hanked on jib and have it stay on deck in the pulpit.  Raising it is very simple.
I keep all necessary tools in a small tackle box that is near at hand.

Bottom line: By myself I can rig and launch in as little as 15 minutes when I'm really motivated.  Normal is 20.  Derigging and stowing takes a bit longer. With help I regularly rig and launch in 15 minutes.
Please undertand part of this is the excellent ramp area I use at the state park in Ohio where I normally sail. It took longer for me to accomplish the same task at other ramps because they were set up for launching and retrieving fishing boats.

With thought and practice I think you will find the 16 a fun and easy boat to sail. If you really like the convenience of the Mast Tendr system there is an outfit in North Carolina http://www.ipass.net/sailboat/ that retrofits 16s with that rig.

Let us know what you do.

Craig

[multimedia_smith]

If you are thinking of adding the Mastender system... you might want to check the height clearance if you are keeping it in the garage.

[sawyer]

I'm slow and meticulous and have it at about 22mins, still trying to shave off a bit of time, but when the ramps are busy, that is sometimes not possible.  I am fortunate to have lots of time off during the week and don't have to fight many weekend crowds...

Doug