Compac 16 maiden Voyage today

[Craig Weis]

Craig&Lisa
Handbook Trailer Sailing by Burgess is great. Check out the book section in this site at bottom of lists.
craig [skip].

[dgholmes]

Craig and Lisa,
As mentioned, I have owned many boats.  All have had center boards or swing keels.  Also as mentioned, I only like small sailboats because I cannot afford a slip.  My personal preference is 17 ft. or less.  Any larger and the boat gets too difficult to setup and takes the fun out of the sailing experience.  The mast gets heavier and sometimes requires spreaders or backstay resulting in longer setup time.  Bigger is NOT better.  

My favorite boat before the Compac was the Vagabond 17.  It had a 400 lb. swing keel made of iron.  It sailed good, but had things that I did not like.  The cable hummed at speed.  When there were waves, the keel would rock back and forth and make a horrible noise.  I also worried that the keel bolt would break.

But the real reason I sold it was the setup and take down.  The mast was heavier and longer than the Compac.  It also had a backstay that would usually hangup on the motor or something while raising the mast.  The time and effort in setup and takedown overshadowed the sailing and so we sold it.

I say all that to say that you have made the right choice in the compac 16 if you want a trailering boat.  You have also made the right choice if you are a beginner sailor.

The setup is similar to the setup of a small daysailer.  It reminds me of the setup of my 15 ft. Viper that I owned.  This was a small boat and therefore the mast and boom were smaller in diameter and lightweight.  You can literally raise the mast on a Compac 16 with one hand.  I timed my setup again yesterday and it took me exactly 10 minutes including setting the jib and main and bungied them in place.

The boat is very safe in my opinion because it is forgiving.  The boat is very stable with the heavy ballast it carries.  The wind gusts will heel the boat and you will feel the weather helm.  The more it heels the greater the weather helm.  Listen to the helm and let the boat head up if needed.  You could let go of the helm and the boat will safely head up to the wind.  Weather helm is a safety feature in sailboats in my opinion.  But then I have sailed many small daysailers, and I particularly dont want them sailing off without me if I fall in the water.  Skip has some very good points in his post, and I agree completely.

Everyone has there opinions on necessary equipment such as rudders and genoas.  Save your money for now.  I bought a spinnaker, a genoa and new sails for my Vagabond 17 just after I bought it.  I hardly ever used the genoa and spinnaker.  I suggest sailing the boat with the equipment you have first for awhile.  My boat only has the original equipment and it sails wonderfully even in light air.  You just have to be patient with light air even with genoas.

Given the two sailing experiences thus far, there are modification that I would recommend.  Replace the mainsheet cam cleat with a swivel base and block.  It requires hand feeding the sheet to let the boom out.  You DO NOT want this if the winds are heavy.  You will be too busy and you will sometimes not want the main cleated while you sheet constantly to maintain boat control.  You know what I mean if you have ever sailed a small daysailer in good winds.

Next I am going to replace the original jib cam cleats with something else.  The jib sheets also do not pay out well and jam.  Not good.  I will probably replace them with Harken swivel bullseyes.

Your first launch.  You can back the boat off the trailer with a motor no problem.   Motor out a bit and hoist the sails and have a blast.  Remember the ballast and weather helm will keep you safe if you do not fight it more than you should.  And unless your trailer is designed better than mine, DO NOT drive it on the trailer.  :lol:

[dgholmes]

Bro T, Curtis:
I appreciate you sharing what you did on launching.  It appears so far that everyone does NOT drive their boat on the trailer.   And Bro T, thanks for that story.  Now I know it is not just me, there are other crazy sailors.    Maybe we all are.

I may do as ya'll ("you all" in Texan. Something we say alot) do when putting the boat back on the trailer, But...  I still want to drive on the Compac as I did with my Vagabond and my bass boat.  

I am going to replace the 2 x 4 keel guide with a 2 x 10 keel guide.  The boards are going to be installed differently than yours Curtis.  I am going to set them horizontally instead of vertically as on your trailer.  In the back, I am going to cut about a 60 degree angle on each board to guide the boat to the rollers if I do not hit it centered.  The 2x10 will not leave enough room between the keel guide and bunkboards for the keel to fit.  Noticed while I was under the boat that the bunkboards need replaced too.  That should be fun.  

[Craig&Lisa]

Skip,

Thanks for the advice to get Bob Burgess' book.  I have it already!  Great reading for a novice such as me.  I'm learning alot.

Craig

[Craig&Lisa]

Darrell,

Its a great comfort knowing there's people out here in this forum with time to help a beginner such as myself.  Thanks alot, Darrell.  

I did research before buying my CP-16, and liked all the "forgiving teacher" type comments about this boat.  And your experiences lauching, and more importantly retrieving your boat are a great help.  My trailer has two "J" shaped plastic guiders that will hopefully help me to get the keel on the rollers, and not have the problems you faced.

First launch........ Our little lake does not allow outboards, so will have to sail away from the dock first time out.  I've done it there before with a 14' American, so feel OK about it.  Can't wait in fact!

And thanks for the advice about sticking with the equipment I have for now.  Makes sense.  I will consider your ideas about upgrading the cleats, although you will understand my state of ignorance when I say I'm not sure what you mean by "swivel base and block".  As I said.... I'm a novice so some of the terms are beyond me.  Also, I'm a Yorkshireman, from England, so I'm also a dumb foreigner as well!  

Craig

[dgholmes]

Craig,
I dont consider you a novice if you sailed a 14' American.  People that have sailed daysailers typically have no problem with displacement boats.  It takes alot more skill to keep a daysailer upright than a ballasted cabin boat.  So sailing it should be a breeze.

I hope your lake allows an electric motor.  Not necessarily to get off the trailer, but just in case the wind dies.  Could be a long paddle back to the ramp.  If not, I would carry two paddles so your crew can paddle on each side of the boat.

I sailed from the dock and back to the dock yesterday and the wind was almost non existent when I got near the dock.  Took me almost an hour to make 200 yards because the little bit of air was coming directly from the boat ramp.  Had to tack a bunch.

I would like to see a picture of the J type guides you have.

[multimedia_smith]

One of the most helpful items for those who trailer regularly would be a tongue extension.  I don't even get my feet wet... I walk from the back of the van right down the tongue to attach the bow winch strap.
I run a single line from the bow cleat to the stern cleat and walk along the pier that runs down the ramp to allign the keel with the trailer and it goes almost all the way on.  My trailer is the standard just like everyone elses... nothing special... but the extender precludes the need to use the tilt mechanism... which I've never tried.   You can make this extension in an afternoon.  (after getting the parts... that is)
Best regards... and enjoy your boat... we LOVE ours.

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=306

I have to say that the "smaller is better" concept is really a consideration... Last week as we were prepping to launch... a guy came over and was drooling over our boat and lamenting the fact that he had sold his WW Potter 15 and had gotten the next size up... he said that he really missed the ease of setting up the smaller boat and as a result, didn't use the bigger one nearly as often.

If you have a slip then it is an entirely different matter.   I like having it in the garage for a lot of reasons.

Enjoy.
Dale

[Gil Weiss]

Dear Craig,

Congratulations on buying the CP 16  - a great boat, but I won't repeat all that again.

Welcome to this BBS as there is a wealth of information here. My wife and I keep our boat in the marina at Lake Nockamixon, near Quakertown, here in SE Pennsylvania. There are quite a few CP16's, 19's and 23's up there. A great place to sail . . . not as close to you as Marsh Creek though. We live near Interchange 28 of the PA Turnpike so it is an easy and pleasant one hour ride.

They have a 20 HP limit at Nockamixon, which is also a state park lake. I use a Tohatsu 3.5 HP which is ample power for the CP16. You can use an electric motor to power a CP16, which may be permitted at Marsh Creek?

A motor makes getting in and out of the dock/ launch ramp easier. I too would not use a motor to get on and off my trailer. I have seen power boaters do this but there is no need to with a CP16. Launching and retrieving needs to be kept as simple as possible as there is lots to watch out for. You take your time and keep your eyes open.

Nuff said . . . .the weather finally shows signs of moderating around here.

[Craig&Lisa]

Hi Gil,

Thanks for the welcome.  We certainly plan on towing up to Lake Nockamixon sometime this summer, so it will be great to meet up with you and the other CP owners.  I am in need of tips and advice, so it seems like a good way to get some.  If you don't mind, that is!  

I am able to use an electric motor on Marsh Creek, so will consider getting one.  I like what you say about keeping it simple - that's certainly my idea whenever possible.  I do have an outboard, so coming up to Nockamixon will give me a chance to use it.

Well, got to get back to reading Bob Burgess' book.  That's going to be one well-thumbed book very soon, I can tell you.  Sailing weather just around the corner!

Craig

[Craig&Lisa]

Hey Darrell,

When I said I had sailed a 14" American, I only meant a handful of times!  And in light winds on our little lake up here in PA.  Never sailed anything like the CP-16.  Can't wait though.  And isn't she just a picture to look at!  A real head-turner, in my humble opinion.

I can get an electric motor for my lake, so I will be looking in to that.  In the mean time, I do have 2 paddles for the boat, and will be taking them out with me!  Never the best way to return to the dock, but if it has to be done, then I'm sure Lisa will manage.  Oooops! I mean I'm sure we will manage.

As to the guides on my trailer, I don't have a picture, but I've seen the same thing on other boats in the photos section of this website.  You can see what I mean in this photo (hope BayGirl doesn't mind me copying it here!)

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=190

Craig

[dgholmes]

Well, given some of you guys are still in snow and have your boats stored and stuff, I feel I must talk about this Texas sailing to keep you guys motivated until you thaw out.

Gil, I agree 100% about keeping it simple.  My motto exactly and the very reason I like to drive my boats on the trailer.  My wife backs the trailer in the water and I drive the boat onto to it.  Hook up the winch and out she comes.   We can sail here even in the Winter and being able to drive onto the trailer makes things so much dryer, warmer and simpler.  But then, I always trailer my sailboats and have learned this is important for my enjoyment.

I made the modifications to the trailer and went sailing today.  Today was great because my whole family went.  It started out pretty good with a 10 mph breeze, but the winds layed, became overcast and cooled off.  So after about 2 hours, we called it quits.   I uploaded a picture of us getting ready to sail off.  I  hope this helps you cold northern guys and gals.  Enjoy!  

Trailer modification worked great and details are in the Boat and Hardware Modifications



Trailer
http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=343
http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=344

[PaulE]

I have a very shallow angled ramp when I pu in the river.
Even with the tilt trailer, the keel will hit a roller head on instead of getting on top. One thing that I've found to make this much easier is to have my wife stand in the stern (holding onto the boom) while I winch up the boat.
This causes the boat to nose up and it then slides right on top of the rollers.

I think I'm going to throw some sandbags in the back of my car to use when I'm alone.