St Petersburg boat show

[Pat McL]

Suzy and I took in the show yesterday. Rich Hutchins (we never met Rich before, but he is a great guy just as is his "little " brother) was there with one of his 23 trawler mods.. The pics and discussions don't do it justice -- this is a fantastic rig! Rich said this one heads to the Bahamas after the show.

The show started Thursday, and runs through Sun. Seems that even though there are quite a few sailboats on the water, there are more powerboats on display this year. Best part of the day was the free1 hr sail into Tampa Bay on a 31 ft Hunter, certainly different than our 16/1! It had in the mast main sail furling which jammed -- found that when that happens, you can be in real trouble as the sail cannot be lowered. Think I will stick to slugs and hanks. Show was worth the 3 hr ride to get there (at 10 mpg in our "59 Ford stepvan named Clyde).

23 trawler


Interior

[Pat McL]

Retry pics for post

23 trawler


interior

[Billy]

Agree about the in mast furler. Now a in boom furler is much better, but a stack pak and lazy jacks is the best way to go.

I'll be heading down there in about an hour. I've seen the 23ph at the factory and it is MUCH better in real life! My wife has only seen pics. Maybe once she sees it in person she will be convinced. I told Matt (rich's nephew) that they need to design a mast tender for it. Currently it takes at least 3 people to step the mast.

I'll take some pics and try to post them later.

Fair winds!

[pdx23p]

I think they have a gin-pole mast raising sytem. It may be different from the other Compac 23s because the pivot point has to be much higher off the deck, though that sounds closer to the 'mastender' system.  Looking forward to your thoughts, observations and pictures!

[HideAway]

We are going Sunday - After sailing all last weekend the Boss made me fix stuff today -- Houses can be as bad a boats in that regard - you would not believe the hair ball I snaked out of the kitchen drain!  M