Just for fun a hypothetical question.

[Potcake boy]

Well Lostsailor - it was sailing down to the Outerbanks that originally inspired me to consider a trimaran, because of the characteristics of the area that you mentioned. A trimaran is also an especially good design for here in SW Florida, and is why my 19 is for sale.  I think we are blessed to have so many designs to choose from, as each geographic area and sailing style demands a particular set of compromises for the best fit.  If I were cruising the seven seas I'd be doing it in a big monohull, but here in Florida cruising for a week or two, or blasting over to the Bahamas the trimaran is an excellent choice.  Up North it's nice to have a cozy cabin for wet/cold days, but here in the sub tropics a lot of outdoor space is desirable.

Hoping to be in a Corsair 24 in the near future - I keep getting tempted by the bigger 27 or 28, but keep coming back to the simplicity and ease of the 24.  I had a Dragonfly 25 for many years and it was everything I needed including a couple of trips to the Outerbanks from Maryland.

The nice thing about the traditional ComPacs is that they are true to purpose, and not a muddled design to display well at a boat show.  If you understand the design philosophy of the ComPacs, you'll be more than happy with their performance.  I think most would agree that performance is better served as a product of handling as opposed to straight line speed.  Although most see trimarans as speed machines, there are many other aspects of their handling that make them enjoyable to sail, and to spend time on. 

So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Nice sailing topic Lostsailor.

Ron

[GlennB724]

If I didn't have my cp 16, I think my second choice would be a Seaward Fox sloop.  I first discovered them this season when one took up residence in the slip directly opposite mine.  What a great looking vessel.  Very seaworthy appearance, with a "big boat" look to it.  I love the lines of my CP 16, (traditional "boaty" lines), but I also like the traditional "shipy" lines of the Fox.  The extra beam would be nice too, since my "beam" has expanded a bit, and a little more stability would be great.  (Sitting on the lee side with a bit of wind is dicey in my boat.) 

I know lots of people dream about BIG boats, living aboard, etc.; and I do too, but I've grown to really appreciate the charms of a small boat.  Living aboard or extensive cruising isn't feasible for me, (have to work, etc.), so being able to keep my boat close, hop aboard for a few hours whenever the mood strikes, is great.  Not to mention the fact that I can buy equipment, cordage, new sails, whatever, for not much more than pocket change.  A couple of blocks or shackles for a big boat cost as much as what I spent on my new suit of sails this season.

[Tom Ray]

Hoping to be in a Corsair 24 in the near future - I keep getting tempted by the bigger 27 or 28, but keep coming back to the simplicity and ease of the 24. 

Ron

Ron, I owned an F-27 and have sailed a 24. If I go back to a Corsair, it will be one of the little ones. Or maybe a 36 if things go really well.

[CaptRon28]

Ron -

Join the Charlotte Harbor Multihull Association (CHMA). It's a Yahoo group as well. We meet on the 1st monday of the month at Panda Inn at about 6 pm. Next meeting will probably be in October. It's free too - no dues. There must be a dozen Corsairs in the club.

[Potcake boy]

Tom - we met on several occasions at the Com Pac dealer in Punta Gorda, and even discussed your 27 at the time.  Obviously I eventually acquired a 19 instead of a Sun Cat, although I am intensely fond of the cat boat for it's trailability.  I had a Picnic Cat for a while, and hold it to be the best all around family day sailor ever designed, and have sailed a Sun Cat on a short cruise in the Keys.  I can envision a long and storied future for these boats.

Ron - How is your Horizon Cat coming along. Is it here or in N.J.?  Hopefully this winter we may have an opportunity for a raft up.  Thank you for the suggestion to join the CHMA, I believe I shall pursue that promptly.

Since I am addressing you two in particular, I have a question about a common trait we seem to share.  Wrong guess, it's not the first name, and 2 out of 3 doesn't count.  Actually it's something that I mused about my own tastes and you two seem to share the same twist.  We three seem to be excited by the extremes of sailboat design - the traditional tried and proved not fast but get there in style to the extreme performance edge in production boats.  I would love to have another Picnic Cat to keep in the garage for day sails on the Peace River to augment the Corsair's sailing scope.  Is it simply a deep appreciation of the wonder of wind power in all forms, are these boats like friends of different personalities that we enjoy?

Apologies to the hard core Com Pac fans for the frequent references to trimarans here but maybe some day Hutchins will apply their boat building skills to tomorrows technology.  I'll go for a Sun Tri myself.

May your crew be downwind on long passages

Ron

[CaptRon28]

Ron -

The Horizon Cat will live in NJ for many years probably, the Testar will have the same fate in Punta Gorda. I physically won't be able to sail either one for at least 4 more months. Is this what they call hell (having 2 boats that I love and not being able to use either)? To tell you the truth, I like most sailboats. I've sailed many from small dinghies up to 75 foot catamarans and 100+ foot monohulls. Very few that I didn't like. The 2 sailboats I have now are absolutely perfect for where they are and how they are used. I don't think either is an "extreme". I'll save that for a ride on BOR90. Gotta make fiends with Ellison before he throws it away.

Pretty sure that we met last year when I drove over to look at your 19. Note that there's usually a multihull for sale from one of the CHMA members. There's probably around 100 of us in the club, sizes range from small tri's up to 60 foot catamarans. Quite a few Corsairs - including a few Sprint 750's that dominate anything in light air.

[Tom Ray]

Apologies to the hard core Com Pac fans for the frequent references to trimarans here but maybe some day Hutchins will apply their boat building skills to tomorrows technology.  I'll go for a Sun Tri myself.

Ron

Funny you should say that. Butch was talking about putting a Horizon Cat rig on his Crab Claw Cat, and just last night I was daydreaming about something similar to an old Hobie cat, but with a Sun Cat rig set forward. Love my foldy mast!

[peterg]

Knowing Bob23 as we do, here in the back bays of Barnegat, a "9NM row" probably realistically refers to a nine nautical meter row!! In truth, though, I believe he did recover fully, as he is able to readily hoist multiple brews with either arm!!!  We are all expecting a full report from B23 on the Annapolis Sailboat Show this weekend.

[Bob23]

   Well...we see there is room here for at least on comedian. Yes, a 9 nautical meter row would be tough...I don't know what a nautical meter is! I will post a report on my success or failure in this endeavor.
   But Peter: The Annapolis show ain't till October so you will not see a report this weekend...unless I make something up which some here have alluded to that I am quite capable of.
   It is true that my surgeon and physical therapist cautioned me about over-exercising just my recovering shoulder. I therefore switch arms regularly while drinking beer. Don't want to be lop-sided, you know!
Bob23

[peterg]

Sorry Bob- senior moment on the Annapolis Boat Show reference. What I meant to say was "We all expect a report on your visit to the Atlantic City In Water Power Boat Extravaganza", which, indeed, is this weekend!!  See you on the Bay tomorrow!

[Bob23]

   I hope to sail tomorrow but it looks like I'm gonna help my mom move. Maybe after. Was out today after work for a few hours and had a wonderful sail. Everytime I sail my 23, I'm reminded what a perfect boat she really is. I can zip out for an hours sail after work, go for weekends, if the situation should arise, she could take me on extended cruises.  All this and if I get whallopped witha 40 knot gust, after taking a bow, she'll come up for an encore.
   All this in a wonderful looking boat that's built to last. Honestly, is there another boat for me? I think not.
Bob23
(Ain't going to no powerboat show in A/C. Not now, not never! Not no-how!)

[Potcake boy]

Funny you should say that. Butch was talking about putting a Horizon Cat rig on his Crab Claw Cat, and just last night I was daydreaming about something similar to an old Hobie cat, but with a Sun Cat rig set forward. Love my foldy mast!

So you are an associate of Butch - I've spoken with him on the phone about his boat.  I was enquiring on behalf of a friend.  Looks like a pretty neat boat - it could use a bit more S/A or maybe two 9.9s to cruise the harbor.

[Potcake boy]

Funny you should say that. Butch was talking about putting a Horizon Cat rig on his Crab Claw Cat, and just last night I was daydreaming about something similar to an old Hobie cat, but with a Sun Cat rig set forward. Love my foldy mast!

So you are an associate of Butch - I've spoken with him on the phone about his boat.  I was enquiring on behalf of a friend.  Looks like a pretty neat boat - it could use a bit more S/A or maybe two 9.9s to cruise the harbor.

[Greene]

After seeing the review for the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 on Latitudes and Attitudes website, I have dreamed about finding $50K laying around the house for a good used one.  (So far I've only found 38 cents in the couch cushions.)  What a great small blue-water capable sailboat!
Mike

[Bob23]

Mike:
  There is a Flicka in a nearby marina that just sits there, year after year neglected. Breaks my heart but I hope I never see it for sale.
  I guess the Dana is the big sister to the Flicka, eh? I'll check out the L & A site. The thing that prevents me from pursuing a Flicka is money, deep draft (at least for the waters around here), I'd have to keep her at a marina and you all know how cheap I am, and Koinona would be insanely jealous. The last thing one wants is a jealous sailboat. "heck has no fury like a woman scorned".
Bob23
   Just to clarify, I'm not typing "heck". I don't believe in watering down quotes.