compac 23/iv or precision 23

[gmerrill]

Currently own a legacy, great boat but limited in space.  wife and i are wanting to do some overnite trips, so we are looking at larger boats.
both the precision and the compac's quality very good.  Precision performs better windward, while the compac is heavier and more stable, possibly better built.
are there any 23/iv owners out there can give me an unbiased review of the boats performance.  I've heard some of the boats have gone to a foil rudder and claims to enhance the windward performance   thank you for your time

proud compac legacy owner
greg

[jthatcher]

is there such a thing as an un-biased review?     I can't speak to the precision,  and I still consider myself a recent owner, having sailed just one season with my compac 23,  but i sure am pleased with it, and ours is an 83 - original version.    It suits my wife and me just fine - sure it has four bunks, and we do have two teen-aged daughters who have joined us for a weekend.. we can make that work for the short term, but I tend to think that it really is a two person boat under anything less than ideal circumstances...   and teen-aged daughters who need a little coaxing are not ideal circumstances   

I am looking forward to sharing many sunset filled evenings at anchor sitting with my wife in the cockpit, sharing a cup of tea and home made cookies!  good luck with your decision..  jt

[brackish]

Greg, I went through that comparison (P23 vs. CP23) several years ago before buying my 23/IV.  I was in the market for a late model trailerable 23 and truthfully the Precision was at the top of my short list.  Your initial assessment is correct, the Precision is a better performer by virtue of a 231 PHRF compared to a 255 for a CP23.  But what that means is if you are on a racecourse that has a mixture of reaching, weather and run legs, the precision will finish the course 24 seconds ahead of the Com Pac for each mile sailed.  The Precision gets there because of its centerboard and inboard shrouds that allow it to sail slightly closer to the wind.  If you sail often to destinations that are consistently to weather that may be a very important difference.

The Com Pac is heavier (750 lbs.) and in my view better set up for heavier weather sailing with a stouter rig.  It is certainly better appointed and finished.  I think it looks better, but that is certainly subjective.  The 23/IV's come with a foiled rudder stock, but since I never sailed the old version, I can't compare.

During my assessment period I didn't sail a Precision but looked at several that were for sale. Even made an offer on one that was rejected.  What finally happened is that my Com-Pac became available at the right price, age, and distance from my home, I went to see it, liked it and bought it. If the right Precision had come available, I might have just as easily bought it.   My advice, arrange to sail both, talk to the owners, draw your own conclusions.  As I recall, you are in Hattiesburg, and you are welcome to sail with me sometime (Bay Springs Lake, north of Tupelo) if that would help with your assessment.

[gmerrill]

thanks for the input and advice.  I may make the same decision as to what is availible use.  Both the com-pac and precisions are hard to find as i am looking for a relatively new model.  I appreciate your offer.  I have some family obligations at this time that prevents from getting away for any length of time.  but will try to take you up on your offer.  As well if you are going to gulfshores area let me know, if i am in the area, would be glad to take you out on my legacy.  I was really set on the precision and as i have never seen one or the other in person.  I guess it's hard to really know.  Gerry has been really good to me and has made me feel that they really care about the kind of boat they put on the water.  Well look forward to some more input

thks
greg

[skip1930]

brackish pretty much nailed it. The P-23 is a fine boat and faster by a smidgen. Speed ain't nothing when compared to a stout craft of impeccable pedigree. So find the Com-Pac of your dreams. It will be a more kindly, dryer boat too. That is about as biased as I can be.

" Be happy, be healthy, be wealthy "....my dad's yearly Thanksgiving toast.

skip.

[Bob23]

   I am not qualified to offer an unbiased opinion on this subject.
Koinonia

[NateD]

I put together spreadsheets comparing all kinds of trailerable boats in the 22-25 foot range, created my own "trailerability index" which summed the draft, mast height, and displacement of the boat, created panel regression models to identify if any of the boats consistently sold at a relatively cheap price and might be a good deal, analyzed speed/trailerable tradeoff curves, read lots of reviews, looked at lots of pictures, then I went ahead and bought the boat that I had really wanted all along (CP23) even though it didn't score particularly high in any of my analysis.

One of the two boats probably appeals more to you, buy that one. Don't over analyze. Don't try to justify it. Buy the one that really speaks to you and enjoy it for what it is with all of the pros and cons that come with it.

[Allure2sail]

Hi Skip:
I'm really curious as to what brand boat your talking about and referring to when you use the terms "stout craft of impeccable pedigree"? Enlighten us !!!!!

[Bob23]

   I can't comment on the difference of the two boats. I love my cp23; don't know that much about the P23. I have had dealings with both companies, however.
   My old friend Charlie owns a Precision 15K which he bought new in the Spring of 2010. After a summers worth of sailing, we noticed some problems with the jib and other parts of the boat which I felt wore out prematurely. I care for this boat for my friend and I think I reasonable know what I'm doing.
   After getting nowhere with the dealer, I spoke with someone at Precision, don't remeber a name but someone high up the ladder. He was surprisingly unhelpful, unsypathetic and kinda quick to dismiss my problem as "my problem". I was quite shocked and  unhappy. Now, remember, this is a brand new boat, mind you.
   I think most of us Compacers have spoken with Rich or Gerry on the phone, email or in person at the factory or at boat shows. Needless to say, they go way out of thier way to help even us good old boat owners. (Mine is a 1985 23/2). Rich even emailed me an old photo of him and his family in a Compac 14 decades ago as I was contemplating buying one.
   I don't offer this information to sway your decision but it's worth keeping in mind. For me, it's a no-brainer.
   Bob23...that would be Bob CP23

[skip1930]

" stout craft of impeccable pedigree "?  a Com-Pac.

skip.

[brackish]

One of the two boats probably appeals more to you, buy that one. Don't over analyze. Don't try to justify it. Buy the one that really speaks to you and enjoy it for what it is with all of the pros and cons that come with it.

Nate nailed it here.  Before Tom Ray started posting here by virtue of his Suncat ownership, he worked for a dealership and sold both of these brands.  He has always been very honest in his assessment listing the pros and cons of each boat he knew so I emailed him for an opinion.  He responded with a thorough analysis based on my stated needs.  However, in the end he said what will probably happen is that after all this left brain analysis you will see a boat that turns your head and makes you smile.  That is the one you'll buy.  That is what happened in my case.  While I had looked at several P23's and liked the boats and had always been a fan of the designer, Arion was the first Com-Pac I had inspected up close and the looking was over.

[HideAway]

I am dry berthed right next to a Precision 23 and have tried to sail with Ms Breezy but could never catch her.  It is just flat out faster and sails closer to the wind.   That being said when compared side by side HideAway is a piece of art while Ms Breezy is a fast modern boat.     I would pick the Compac every time-- Matt

[deadrise]

Opinions are like butholes but since you asked

Disclamer: I currently own a CP-19 and had a CP-23 for a few years, never laid eyes on the Precision.

Com-Pacs are beautiful inside and out and built pretty tough. If I was comparing them for purchase "I" would disqualify the Precision based on the fact that she has a centerboard and a not so warm interior.
"I" also like the slightly narrower beam coupled with the fact that the CP has more ballast and overall displacement.

I like the traditional look of the Com-Pac and don't mind the overall loss in performance compared to faster/lighter boats of the same size.

Good luck and enjoy which ever you buy!
John
1988 CP-19 Dora-Mae

[gmerrill]

appreciate all the input ,keep it coming.

greg
legacy owner

[Norm]

In my opinion, if you are going to race the boat,get a P-23.  Ifyou are going to cruise and like comfort and a better ride, get a CP 23.  Those plastic hull liners are not comfortable.  They sweat, they are cold in the fall of the year, and they are noisy.  Do the right thing and go for the CP 23.