Interesting Com-Pac news - New Model

[Salty19]

Conceptually, I really like this new boat and applaud Hutchins for making something different from their traditional line.  It does seem inspired from the sailboat company's designs.

But I agree with Bob23...pehaps the 23 hull is not the best platform to build this boat on?
A flat bottom would make a lot of sense for this application as you know darn well many folks who would buy this boat would be motoring a good majority of the time in use.   That said, I've never been on a 23 but have spent a lot of time on a 16 which supposedly has the same handling dynamics.

A way around this might be to build winglets on the keel bottom to reduce motion, reposition ballast and induce some lift where it needs to be. 

[Tom Ray]

I don't know whether they have the old 25 molds, but that boat already had decent headroom without adding a pilothouse.

[Bob23]

That is true. I've never sailed aboard one but by adding a pilothouse one might be able to put on a 2nd floor! I've heard they didn't sail all that well. Wonder who the designer was?
Bob23

[Tom Ray]

Well, none of the Com-Pac boats are really known for blazing speed, but then, race boats are generally not comfortable or sturdy.

We sold one used Com-Pac 25 twice while I worked at the brokerage/dealership here. I liked the boat, but not because it looked fast. One of the things I liked was the headroom. The first couple who bought it were disappointed with the sailing performance, and soon put it back on the market. The salesman who sold it the second time told me after the sea trial that it was indeed slow and did not want to point well. That's the price of headroom and shallow draft.

[Potcake boy]

Bob23,  I think you are right on the money with the suggestion that this be based on the 25.  As a motorsailor the keel can be compromised a bit to lessen the draft and a clever rig like the cat boats would keep the rigging process reasonable.  A trailer capable motorsailor seems to be developing a market niche in recent times and would be a welcome addition to the choices for us that aren't so quick to abandon sail power to get on the water.  The 25 would offer a better platform with a little more space in the cabin which is an important of leisurely cruising.

Hutchins - if you're listening you have two votes to revive the 25 as a motorsailor.

Ron

[jamato323]

You guys are driving me crazy. I owned SunCat Hull #55 back in 02. Then I wanted standing headroom and went off to a Nimble Kodiak 26...slow and sailed like a slug...so I had a complete breakdown and bought an ugly milk bottle shaped small bayliner CC which nearly bankrupted me with gas and outdrive repairs....finally came to my senses and went back to my SunCat (now Hull #345) and here you come talking about old age, head room and wannabe trawlers...HELP.  At 67 I just want to finish my sailing days, sell my house and creep aboard my used Mainship.

[Bob23]

Paul:
   We're just tryin' to keep you on your toes. When I stepped aboard PeterG's new to him CP 27, it felt so spacious and I thought I heard my lower back breathe a sigh of relief. But, alas, it's not to be so bent over I shall remain. I'd love standing headroom but my 23 is just too perfect.  But I'm gonna rack my brains on how to raise the cabintop a little. I'm only 5' 7" after all.
   I plan to speak with Rich or Gerry at the show this Friday about the 23 motorsailer. I'm sure they will see the error of thier ways.
Bob23

[Shawn]

Bob,

Why not try and make it a pop top? Would give you the extra headroom at anchor while keeping the cabin top low while sailing for good viability.

Shawn

[newt]

The Catalina 22 was the only pop-top I know of that made it to general production. It was generally not liked, but I don't know why...

[Bob23]

   I dunno, Shawn. Maybe it's just me but there seems to be something heretical in turning my 23 into a pop-top. Maybe it's the "pop-top" term that I'm adverse to. I'll have to kick this one around.
Although is does give the headroom when I need it, while at anchor- good point. And I like a low cabintop while under sail for visibility.
   It's a dangerous thing for me to be sitting at the table with morning coffee, pencil and paper and a head full of ideas that have been stewing in my brain all night. Who knows where this will lead?
   I've toyed with a solid top that can be easily removed. Phil Bolger had a simple solution to the headroom proplem- eliminate the top! That's what I call unlimited headroom! More than likely, this one will remain on the drawing board for quite some time.
Bob23

[Tom Ray]

The Catalina 22 was the only pop-top I know of that made it to general production. It was generally not liked, but I don't know why...

Older Catalina 25's also had a pop top. The whole deck swung up onto 4 legs. It was heavy and a good way to hurt yourself, but did provide excellent headroom when up.

The new 250's have a companionway that slides and then hinges up, and an enclosure for that area, making a soft pop top.

Corsair F-27's have pop tops.

[Tim Gardner]

FYI - the 25 was originally a Watkins 25 Hull design.

"Date: Mon, Feb 8, 1999, 6:22pm (EDT-1) To:
Subject: Watkins 25 FYI.
Compac Yachts has purchased W25 mold and started making the boat as a compac 25   They retained the hull, pan and interior mold but totally changed the cockpit and cabin top. They added little round brass ports instead of the bomar hatches and they moved the large front hatch to above instead of in front of the cabin top. For my money they cheapened the boat but at least now there will be more hulls in production and the boat should sail about the same for competitions.
E-mail message
Date 9-13-2001
From: mbd54
Watkins 25 and Compac 25
I am glad that I have found a place of fellow Watkin's owners. I have a 1986 25 for 11 years now.
I looked over the post's on this sight and I see a bunch of 25 foot owners. I did not see any posting about Compac using the Watkins molds for the 25 they make. Three years ago I was at Sail Expo in Atlantic City New Jersey and looked at the Compac 25. I was talking to the factory rep when I mentioned to him the hull looked like my Watkins. He mentioned that they purchased the molds. The Compac 25 had a nice traveller for the main sail. I have seen another Watkins owner in Brick NJ with one that Hibberd boat works installed for him.
I read a post on this sight about PHRF for the 25's.
I want to thank the person that found his rating. I will apply for mine so I can try my hand at racing it next year. Like many of the 25 owners I love my boat. She is one of the largest 25's I have seen. Many people on the dock remark that it has nice features for the size.
My 25 has roller furl, wheel steering, 9 hp diesel, bimini. My only complaint is that I have to work on getting the proper prop for her. My diesel has lots of reserve left. Needs to be loaded a bit more. Like many of the other 25 owners you have to reef early. This year I did more big wind sailing than I have in the past. Under full sail she has done well with steady 16 knot winds. If they gust then I have to reef. Now to work on my traveler over the winter and the prop. "

You can look at the Watkins owners site here: http://www.watkinsowners.com

Interesting to look at.

TG

[Shawn]

Isn't the Horizon cat hull based off of the old Herreshoff America catboat with the change of the centerboard to the keel/centerboard? I thought I read that somewhere.

Shawn

[Tom Ray]

Isn't the Horizon cat hull based off of the old Herreshoff America catboat with the change of the centerboard to the keel/centerboard? I thought I read that somewhere.

Shawn

That's what this article says.