Sailing Barnegat Bay in a CP16!

[MKBLK]

Hi guys!

Just ended one of the happiest days a guy could have... a day on the bay in a CP16. Got to "Up the Creek" marina about 1100 or so on Saturday. The air was barely moving, but I stepped the mast and wrestled the Com-Pac off the trailer (hardest part of the day) and into the water (next time I'll try the dish detergent trick). While grunting and groaning to shove it off into the water, I suddenly got this huge burst of energy... my elation quickly dissolved when I realized that two very nice much younger fellows had reached over and provided that needed energy!

With a little help from the Minn Kota moved out into the channel. My sailing friend Dario hoisted the sails with a genoa fitted and we caught a little air. We headed out into the bay. Once into the mouth and exposed to the SW wind, we really started to move. The seas were about 2 feet with added wakes from larger power boats, but we definitely were having a ball. Went about halfway across, tacked a 180 and headed back to the marina. Took on just a wee bit of water through the bow vent but stayed pretty dry in the cockpit. We moved pretty smartly both out & back. Arriving back at the marina, we snuggled up to the stern of the 33' Aquila while we switched over to the standard jib.

Then it was out again, this time with my friend John (co-owner of the Aquila). By now the air was up to 15+ mph out of the SW and we were driving through 3-4' waves... like a knife through butter. I cautiously battened down the hatch and reversed the vent (just in case!). We were grinning ear to ear with full sail and John swears we were at least partially airborne with the hull out of the water a couple of times! Got our faces washed more than once. Believe me, it was really exciting and the CP16 rode like a Cadillac! We watched as other sailors in lighter boats were getting pounded. Most were trying to head into the wind under bare poles and were getting creamed (after we returned to the marina again, we observed a large 42' + cruiser return after apparently having been dismasted!).

Now this may be old hat to some of you old salts, but this was my first time out in a "real" sailboat in exciting conditions and boy was it fun. At no time did I feel that we were in danger and of course we were wearing our pfds. We sure had plenty to talk about at dinner. Can't wait to repeat the adventure!

Marty K.

[Mountaineer62]

Where on Barganet Bay did you launch? 
Are you familiar with the Cohansey river off the Delaware Bay.  Stopped there once on a return to Chesapeake Bay (friends Newport 36 on return from Montauk); beautiful river with great depths and expanse.  Hope to sail a cp-16 there some day.
What is reference to use of detergent to improve launch?
Do you have one, or two, reef points on your main sail?  Do you have a down-haul on the main? on the jib?

[MKBLK]

Hey Mountaineer62,

Don't be fooled by the stars near my name. I'm a novice sailor and this was my first trip out other than a couple of very tame test sails on the Delaware near Bristol. Don't know Cohansey river, but there's a lot I don't know... yet. I too, would love to sail the Chesapeake with Annapolis as a destination. My launch point was at "Up the Creek" marina in Bayville, NJ.

Regarding the detergent to improve launch, I think I got that from our CP16 guru Robert Burgess in his book, "Handbook of Trailer Sailing". If you obtain this book, I understand the better deal is the first edition; it's illustrated. Use just a little (biodegradable of course) on the bunk boards and off she goes with minimum effort... hopefully. I'll find out next launch!

Saturday, we didn't feel a need to reef the main since the boat was so solid and never had water over the gunnels. Although there was a stiff breeze, there wasn't much in the way of gusts, since they're the ones that'll knock you down. The CP16 doesn't have reef points since it utilizes roller reefing (which is better done on land or at the dock than in the middle of the bay with 3 foot waves!). The CP16 sail does have battens, so if you need to reef more than about three feet, you'll have to pull a batten. It's simply done just by pulling the boom away from the mast and rotating. My jib just snaps on the forestay and that's about it, nothing fancy. Definitely have down-hauls on both the main tack and clew. Right now the main and jib sheets are secured to cabin mounted cleats near the cockpit. I guess they were installed there to facilitate rapid lowering of the sails. My preference would be to simply attach cleats to the mast (Com-Pac has thoughtfully already supplied the appropriate holes). The added benefit of that would be less of a mess in the cockpit with surplus sheeting. Would also make a neater package when trailering.

Marty K.

[jthatcher]

hi Marty,
   i looked up  "up the creek" marina and see that you were on cedar creek..    we are just north on toms river at shore point marina.    i heard that it was blowing pretty good on saturday.   we were down yesterday to check on the boat.  that was the first opportunity that i had since the storm.   all is fine, and we even got out for a short sail - that was a bonus.    we really like the folks at shore point in case you get the idea of putting your boat at a slip for the season and would like to check it out.   i guess that it is not too far of a trip for you..  for us, it is about 3 hours..   the sailing on the bay has been great.   

let me know what you think of nockamixon if you make it up there.   i know that you will run into some other compac folks there - they seem like a nice bunch of people.    we are all looking forward to hearing about the rest of your season.   it is good to know that your experience with the boat has been positive so far!  jt

[MKBLK]

Jt,

Things are starting to gel for a mini rendezvous on Barnegat with Bob23. If you can make it that would be great. As far as a slip goes, ain't in the budget. That's why I'm a "trailer sailor"! Thank goodness gas is still cheaper than slips (at least for a while). The CP16 tows very nicely behind my old Volvo wagon, so the only grief is actually launching at the ramp.

Marty K.

[Bob23]

Marty:
   Please tell me you drive an old Volvo 240 wagon that you want to sell me. Please!
Bob23

[jthatcher]

hi Marty,  thanks for the invite..  this past sunday was a bonus as far as sailing goes..   I am afraid that i will have to focus on some other activities, including school for the next few weekends..   fortunately, one of those school activities might be bringing a group of student down to jersey for a deep sea fishing trip the weekend after this coming one.. that should be fun! 

let me know if you are going to go to nockamixon for sure..   if you need some crew, my wife and i might be able to make it down there later in the fall.

it is great to have the boat at a slip, but i hear you regarding the budget..  and the other up side to sticking with the trailer is that you get to try out different areas.    i don't have a car that would pull the 23, or i might consider going that route..  ( i also don't really have a place to keep it at home..   i am building a house, but we only have a 1/4 acre lot so there is not a whole lot of room for yet another boat!)

have a great time this weekend..  Bob is sure to provide good companionship and great advice regarding sailing the bay!   and, he really wants your vovlo      jt

[MKBLK]

jt,

I'll look forward to meeting you and your wife, hopefully sometime this fall. It would also be nice to sail Nockamixon with the trees in full glory. I'll work on it.

So Bob wants a Volvo!? I have three, but they aren't for sale. An '88 745 Turbowagon - 267,000m that runs great but am working on restoring, '90 760 Turbowagon - 230,000m (my tow vehicle... because it's really nice) and a '02 S80 T6 Twin Turbo - only 96,000m, our "new" car that nobody believes is almost 10 years old. If he really wants one, I'm sure I can find one for him! And, they are hardly ever expensive! Actually, I'm the Membership Chairman of Volvo Sports America (VSA - www.vsa.org) and love Volvos. My first was a '65 P1800 that I drove for about 15 years! Ran up about 450,000 miles on it. Never let me down. Even when it broke... it kept on going! Even car-topped a Sunflower (Snark) on it! Imagine a Volvo P1800 with a boat on the roof and 2 bikes hanging off the trunk! Stories, stories, stories. But, I've always loved sailboats and I'm just thrilled to have the CP16. I'd kill for a 23, but have no place to keep it and frankly couldn't afford the upkeep now that I'm sorta retired. Plus, I think it was Bob23 who accused me of having "3 footitis"! (He's correct, but I'm happy with what I have... waited decades for it).

Marty K.

[Bob23]

Marty:
   The P1800 is my all time favorite car, hands down! Last time I looked for one online, I was surprised at how inexpensive they were, but that was a couple of years ago. The 240's are my next favorite. My son's finance has a C30...really fast and I love the way the designers mimicked the P1800 wagon's rear all-glass door.
    I don't remember accusing you of 3-foot itis but I may have. Myself, I love my 23 but am looking at a neglected 16 that needs a good home. If I weld 'em together, I'll have the worlds first Compac 39! There is something to be said for the lightness and simpliciy of the 16 although I've only sailed on one once.
   Hoping we can meet up on the Barnegat Bay sometime soon.
Bob23

[MKBLK]

Bob,

It was a sad day when the 1800 left. Still miss that car. However, they are still out there and although the price has been steadily increasing over the past several years, bargains can still be found if you are willing to invest some sweat and dough. 240's shouldn't be hard to find at all. Check Ebay. Fly out and drive home! My favorite Volvo after the 1800 was my 75 164E. Now that was a sweet car. Super turnpike cruiser, great esthetics and now... extremely rare. The one I had was one of 200 that Volvo built after ending production in 1975. Had 1976 suspension and detail parts... real cool (to me anyway!). Daughter number two retired that one in a T-bone, ouch! No injuries though, it was a Volvo.

Sailing that CP16 on Barnegat Bay last Saturday didn't seem too light to me. It really knifed through breaking waves. That boats got some heft. Hey, with a 23 and a 16 you'll have the best of all worlds. Go for it!

Marty K.

[jthatcher]

hey bob,  i am all for another boat.. the question is, how do you convince your wife that you need another boat    jt

[Bob23]

   I try to speak her language. Since she's a serious coupon clipper, I put it into $ terms. "Linda, this boat new would start at $40K but this used one, with trailer and motor is only 5. We simply can't afford not to buy it!"
   Actually, it doesn't go anything like that. With my 23, I just bought it and dealt with the consequences later. "To ask permission is to seek denial." I really think the 23 is a unique boat, not that I'm an authority on all sailboats. Mine, as well as yours, is easy enough to go out for a quick, evening sail yet roomy and certainly strong enough to cruise long distances. I dream about sailing down the East coast to visit my uncle in North Carolina. I'm certain that with a few minor improvements the boat can make it. It's me that is the weak link in the plan.
   The only reason I look for this neglected 16 is that, well, it's neglected and needs a good home. Plus it would be a fun platform to play around with modifications such as a gaff rigged cat boat. Honestly, the real battle here is to be content with what I have. As I was sailing Labor Day morning on my pre-dawn sail, I was reflecting on how blessed I am to own my 23 and to be sailing in these waters. It is a great gift to be content with what one has.
   Now, about that Flicka for sale! Haha
bob23

[CaptRon28]

hey bob,  i am all for another boat.. the question is, how do you convince your wife that you need another boat   jt

In my case I just had to trailer the trimaran between NJ and FL a few times. Wife got real tired of this 55 foot long truck and boat package and it was her idea to buy another boat to leave in NJ. I never thought of trailering this load as a problem. You just have to avoid smaller motel and restaurant parking lots, keep the speed down a drop, more gas stops, etc. I felt obliged to take her advice.

[MKBLK]

Hey, All,

Saturday, September 10th, got to meet our illustrious Bob23 down at Up-the-Creek Marina in Bayville, NJ. Bob was nice enough to drive up from Surf City to give me a "hello"! Originally, the plan was to meet out on Barnegat Bay. Good thing we didn't try. Although there was a pretty good NE wind and Bob would be able to head into it pretty good with his CP23, it would have taken a couple of hours. Worse, as it turned out, I tried to get into the bay from Cedar Creek (Bayville) and after 364 tacks gave up! (We'll maybe it was about 35 - 40, I lost count). Funny, because the previous week, the wind was out of the SW and boy was that great! Lesson learned - pay attention to the wind direction in addition to its speed.

Anyhoo, my sailing buddy for the day, Bob (different Bob - what's with "Bob"? I belong to a club of about 25 members... 7 are Bobs!) is an avid fisherman. I promised that he could fish to his hearts content once we gained the bay... never happened! So he dragged a line all the way back to Cedar Creek and did catch one. Just as we were approaching the dock, and I had given the order to drop the main, he swore he was about to hook another. I said, "how can you possibly know that? In less than a minute we're going to nail the dock!" He dropped the sail promptly and I sidled alongside the dock... phew!

Another lesson learned: If your halyard is twisted up top preventing the hoisting of the main all the way up, fix it before you set sail. It was really a pain in the **** to do it on the water. Of course, looking up at it always give me vertigo... guess I better get over that.

Marty K.

[jthatcher]

Marty,
   you are really loving the bay!   we will have to plan on meeting next season.     at the end of cedar creek is  a  county park, and i am told that there is a good anchorage tucked around the corner..   that could be a neat place to  meet.   our goal for next year is to spend some overnights out on the water, and  this spot is quiet..     

   we have ridden our bikes down there from toms river.   it is a great area. 

i was supposed to be in pt pleasant today, leading a group of students on a fishing trip, but, when i checked the weather yesterday they were talking about flooding, and i did not want to get up at 3 this morning  and drive through bad weather in the dark with students  to make the 7:30 boat departure, so i canceled the trip.. i guess that we could have made it!   

  let me know about nockamixon later in october..  we would be glad to come down for an afternoon sail.. jt