Hello from a New Com-Pac 16 Owner

[bungyjumper]

Hello all, my wife and I just purchased our first sailboat...a 1983 Com-Pac 16, S/N ABVO1841M83A.

We live on Tybee Island, GA and look forward to getting out on the water soon. We've spent years bare-boat chartering in the Caribbean, but this is our first backyard/daily use boat.

I've got one question right off the bat related to a new outboard motor. I understand the hull speed of the boat is approximately 5 knots, so a small outboard making 2-4 HP would normally be adequate, but we've got some pretty strong currents and tidal swings along the Georgia coast. Should I look to a more powerful (and heavier) motor, or stick with something in the 2-4 range?

[John J]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Compacs.  Considering your sailing waters, I would advise you to purchase a 4 or 5 hp motor.  Happy sailing, John J.

[Bob23]

Hey, Bungee:
   Congrats on your new CP 16. My first pick would be a Caterpillar Diesel, maybe 16 cylinders at least but if you can't fit that, I'd echo John J's pick.
   I also sail in strong tidal currents now and then and the 8hp Nissan which hangs off the stern of my 1985 23 does just fine so a 4-5 hp for your 16 sounds right.
   And welcome to the site! Here you will find a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and some downright witty if not ridiculously funny writings ranging from sailboats to...sailboats! and everything in between! Feel free to tell us about some of your bareboat charger adventures!
Bob23 in NJ

[bungyjumper]

Thanks John and Bob, I appreciate the welcome and your responses. I've been lurking and reading the board in the lead-up to buying the boat, and I look forward to contributing. I'm sure I'll have many questions!

[lostsailor101]

Greetings,

Welcome aboard. You have come to the right place to find the answers to all your Com-Pac questions.
This site is filled with knowledgeable friendly folks who love their little boats.
I am currently sailing a CP16 and run a 4 stroke 4 hp Suzuki, in very similar conditions up in coastal NC,
although a bit heavy she has never let me down. Some of the folks here like the 2 hp Honda a great motor, but
I like having the FWD, Netural, and Reverse gears.


Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? We are all pirates, after all.

[newt]

Can you plane the 16? The reason I ask is if it is a true displacement hull, and if you can reach hull speed with 2 horse honda, then would a 5 horse just be extra weight? Hmmm- sounds like the expert CP-16 guys need to answer this question!
My 23 has a 9.9 honda- too heavy for it, but nice to have that type of power. When I remotor, however, I am going with something lighter.

[kahpho]

Welcome Bungyjumper. We're always glad to see more folks here. I think you'll enjoy your new 16. They're great grab and go little boats.

I would have to echo Lost's opinion. I have a Honda 2 and it's sufficient for my needs which are mostly lake sailing. I do really miss not having the F, N and R option though. Feel free to relate your experiences and adventures here, we enjoy hearing others stories, opinions and tall tales [I would like to be very clear, I have not doubted anything Bob23 has ever said].

mel

[bungyjumper]

Thanks Lost, Newt and Kahp, appreciate the welcome.



Bungy's Sailing/Boating Lessons Learned (#1): While under power, don't back over your dinghy painter.

[rwdsr]

Welcome bungyjumper,
I hope you have as much fun with your 16 as I have had with mine.  It has given me a whole new enjoyment for being on the water.
BobD

[bungyjumper]

Thanks BobD! 

[romei]

Welcome bungyjumper,

I have a 16 and a Johnson 2 stroke 4hp on her.  I personally would not go any smaller.  Because of the wind  and water current conditions where I boat, I motor as much or more than I sail.  I've felt the difference between full throttle on a calm day and full throttle trying to beat a storm back to the dock against the current and into a head wind and measured them with my trusty GPS.

I've played with all levels of throttle depending upon the wind and current.

I'd rather have power and not need it than to need power and not have it.

IMHO, the 4 hp is the motor for that boat.  My CP-16 owners manual also recommends a 4hp for the boat.

[rwdsr]

I also have a 4 hp Johnson 2 stroke on my 16, and it pushes me right at 4.5 mph between 1/2 and 3/4 throttle.  So I'm real happy about that.  It also is real easy on fuel,  maybe 1/2 gph?

[GlennB724]

my 2 cents.. for what it's worth... (about 1 cent based on the stock market  :-)   I have a 2.5 tohatsu, (no neutral or reverse) on my 1989 CP 16... power is perfect for my little lake,  BUT... I wish I had gone the extra few bucks and gotten the 3.5 with Neutral.  getting in and out of my slip using the 360 degree spin was always a bit of a pain, until earlier this season when I overhauled the carb on the 2.5, and ran the idle down to just above stalling.  that helped a lot.  I used to sail a hunter 25 in the tidal "rivers" of the Chesapeake, extreme tidal currents, and if I were in similar waters with my CP 16, I would want the 4 or 5 HP.

I used to sell high end Leica Cameras, and their sales line was, "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten."  I try to keep that in mind within reason.

[bungyjumper]

Thanks Romei, Rwdsr and Glenn! Glad to be a part of the CP-16 community.

[Billy]

Newt,
the 16 won't plane, and a 3 hp should get it to hull speed in calm water, but if there is a strong current i would think more hp would get it up to speed faster, maybe just in time to not run aground or worse.