New Guy in New Mexico Aboard

[Roswell49]

Hello All,

Just wanted to introduce myself, Mike Herbert, aka Roswell49.  I'm located in Las Cruces New Mexico, and just purchased a Compaq 16/II, named Pequena, from a real nice lady in Denver.  I now have Pequena here at home and am starting to clean her up and get her rigged.  She seems to be a great little boat, with a lot of potential for the wife and me to enjoy together and with the grandkids.  I must admit I've wanted to have one like her ever since I was stationed at NAS Key West and read Burgess's book on sailing one in the Keys.  I'm a retired Navy guy, 28 years worth of flying and ship driving, and wanted to find a way of getting back on the water after sailing on a bare boat cruise last summer up in the Vancouver area on our 40th anniversary.

Great information and a great site, so thanks in advance for any future help.  I'm still working full time, so my availability to do a lot on the site is kinda limited, but I'd welcome any opportunity to meet anyone passing through the area.  Not much water out here, but plan on traveling to lakes in Colorado, Texas, Arizona plus will probably visit my old stomping grounds in San Diego.  I was stationed at NAS North Island and also spent a lot of time on USS Kitty Hawk, USS Nimitz, USS Okinawa, and a lot of other smaller decks.

Other interests are bowhunting (longbow), flying (basically anything, although I'm a Helo guy), and motorcycle riding (BMW R1200RT/KLR 650)

See ya out there,

Mike

[jthatcher]

Hi mike,   i am a relatively new guy on deck here, but welcome to the site.. there are plenty of folks around here who have a great deal of experience with compacs and who are willing to offer their thoughts..  i found it very reassuring to have them as a resource as I ventured out on Adagio for the first time early this season.   I also met Bob23 in person and hope to meet more folks as time permits..  it might be some time before we head out your way, however.. well, in the sailboat, that is.. the motorcycle.. hmm, that could be another story!  Although, riding across county on a honda 450 might not be an entirely pleasant journey    i guess that i will have to dust off the plans that i bought for that teardrop trailer and get that made so that my wife and i can travel in comfort!  Anyway,  best of luck as you get used to your new boat..we will be looking forward to reading about your adventures!  jt

[Bob23]

Hi Mike and welcome:
   I've never piloted but did have a chance to fly in and old Bell 47 at a previous job. Had dual controls and they let me fly staight and level across the bay. Didn't seem to hard until my pilot friend let my try to hover. That was another story.
   I've always loved BMW R-bikes. I have developed a bad habit of scouring Craigslist for used ones. Sorta the same habit I had looking for a Compac 23. Finally found one, bought her and we are living happily ever after. I wonder if the Beemer will follow the same path? If I get serious, I may  pick your brain on what years to consider. I'm leaning toward mid 80's.
   We look forward to hearing of your adventures...
Bob23 in NJ

[Roswell49]

Thanks guys!  I just got a chance to reply, that work stuff keeps interfering with my fun...   ;+]

I did try to get the iron wind working (3.5 Nissan LS) today.  I changed the spark plug and tried to get it going but only managed to git a blister from pulling that starting rope.  Not sure what's going on with it.  It is a low time motor, and looks real clean so will try to troubleshoot more tomorrow.  I plan on doing a clean and wax job for the boat this weekend, then rig and check the sails and hope for the first shakedown sail next weekend.

Stay tuned, and thanks again for the great site!!!

Mike

[skip1930]

Look like home away from home?
Pipe the Commander aboard.

skip.

[Roswell49]

Sure does Skip.  Spent a lot of time aboard them, and miss it even to this day.  The  Navy was good to me and I'm still cheering loudly from ashore for all who are serving now. 

Thanks and really enjoy your posts.....

Mike

[Roswell49]

As an update, we took Pequena up to Elephant Butte yesterday for our first outing.  I knew that there wouldn't be much wind, but wanted to practice rigging and loading.  Overall went well, but I was surprised at the weather helm under the outboard.  Think I'll go ahead and do the Ida rudder mod.  Also need to fix one of the loading ramp boards on the trailer.  I also managed to ding the prop on my Nissan 3.5 o/b on the rudder.  Broke one blade on the non metal prop, so need to replace that.

Lake was really low, but the loading/unloading and rigging practice with my wife was worth the whole trip.  Pequena has also cleaned up nicely, so will try to post pics soon.

Best to all....

Mike

[skip1930]

" I also managed to ding the prop on my Nissan 3.5 o/b on the rudder. "

Was that 'opps' because the rudder was not fully down? This happened to me for the same reason...and that 'opps' made me drill a hole through the aluminum rudder assembly and insert a snow thrower sheer bolt, holding the rudder fully down.

I figure no harm since the rudder and keel are about on the same plain. I never liked the idea of a flip-up rudder.

skip.

[Roswell49]

Hi Skip,

As an answer and after thinking about how it happened, it was probably my over-reaction to a combination of low water on the ramp, having purposefully raised the motor raised up on the adjustable mount, (same reason the rudder was up some too), having another boat having trouble next to me on a somewhat crowded ramp, and just being a newbie with the boat.  I let myself get sucked in to paying to much attention to all of the above and simply screwed things up.

I've read your posts on your rudder mods and when I get my Ida rudder, I plan on trying your recommendation on my installation too....

Thanks

Mike

Mike

[skip1930]

First viewed my boat on a trailer at Yacht Works in Sister Bay, Wisconsin where I purchased my CP-19. It came with a zero time 5 hp 2 cycle Mercury engine with a short shaft.

I lowered the engine 2" and backed her off the transom 2" by saw cutting a new aluminum plate and cutting up four 2" rubber blocks to remount the engine plate to the motor mount. Like this.

skip.


Note that the top-o- handle was coped out to meet the rub rail flush. This allows full 'up'.


How did he attach the rubber blocks? Old Chinese secret.



Here one can see the sheer pin bolt on the rudder blade.

[Roswell49]

Skip,

Ok, how did you attach the rubber blocks, I had to ask!!!

Great pics too.

Mike

[skip1930]

OK Captain; You know those hex shaped threaded couplers that allow one to screw two pieces of threaded rod together? They sell them at ACE Hardware.

Buy two, cut them in half. Makes each piece about an inch long.
Buy four flat head screws to match the thread. Use ss/bronze if your rich.
Drill a small hole into the rubber blocks. Lube up the holes and the couplers.
Open up the shop vice wide and start by pressing the coupler into the rubber block. If you tear the rubber...the hole's too small.
Find the right size deep socket and use that in the vice as a pusher to push the 1" coupler into the middle of the 2" rubber block.
Drill the four counter sunk holes for the fours screws in the saw cut aluminum plate, and the phenolic motor mount plate.
Drill four more holes in the saw cut aluminum plate for it's mounting...leave enough vertical height for the O/B motor clamps.
Assemble the hole kit and caboodle together and use some Permatex Red Thread Sealer on the screws going into the rubber buried couplers.

Does a fine job of absorbing vibration, pulls the O/B engine handle and pull start off the transom and places the prop deeper into the water.

And so life is good.  A Boson?  Well no. Dad did his 33 years in the U.S. Navy. From 1933 to 1966. Came up as a Mustang.

skip.

[Roswell49]

Wow,  Skip this sounds really easy if you happen to be a bosun or somebody other than a "slightly challenged" pilot-type like me. 

thanks much

Mike