Rescuing a Compac 16!!!

[Saluki86]

What a great find!  Good luck with the cleanup/restoration and keep us posted.

[Smier]

It was raining too hard after work her to do anything on the boat tonight, but I discovered she has a pop up top and apparently has some minor leaks during the down pour that wil need addressed ASAP...

   Here's a link to some specs on the Starwind 22.  Originally built by Chrysler marine and designed by Halsey Herreschoff.  Apparently the design was sold to a couple of different manufacturers, and there were a few different model/trim levels.  They apparently sold a base model without a bow pulpit or stern rails, and no pop top.  Then there apparently was the MK2, which had the bow pulpit, pop top, and no stern rails or life lines.  Then there was the MK3, which had the bow and stern pulpit, rails and life lines, and the popup top.  It was apparently very popular to add the rails and lifelines to the MK2, so I haven't figured out which one I have yet. 
   It has a very cool self draining anchor locker in the deck of the bow, and 2 really nice storage compartments in the seats of the cockpit.  The cockpit is self-bailing like our thankfully!  It already has a fiberglass foiled rudder, and a swing keel with a pivot pin...  I'll have to do some investigating and inspection.  I have to say I really like the shoal draft keel of our CP16, the starwind looks to draft almost 2' with the keel in its upright/retracted position, and I think it was over 4' down...
   So, my immediate needs are 3 new 15" trailer tires, bearing buddies, replace the rotted trailer bunks, and a tarp to prevent anymore leaks.  Then scrub, scrub, scrub, scrub!  The hull looks like it just needs a wash and some buffing, the bottom paint must have been applied in 2004 when he bought the boat and is still in great shape since it was parked and never used.  The deck has some spider web cracks in the gel coat, but no soft spots that I've been able to find yet.   All the windows look like they need serious attention.  Interior should just need a good scrub down, and some bribery to get my mother inlaw to sew us some new cushion covers etc... Interior is definitely 1983 plaid brown...





Oops, here's that link:
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=111

[Salty19]

Great find!!!  That looks like a really nice boat too-I bet she sails nicely.   A bit of wetsanding and compound will bring her hull back to new-like glory. Our first boat was free, but she was a leaking well-worn dinghy (fast as can be though!). I think the only money I spent on her was trailer tires, trailer lights, registration, a mainsheet and an oar- which was lost at sea.   I gave it away to a friend of my wife once the Compac 16 made it's way into our hearts and home. 

According to the fine print, Bob23's used boat fees still apply since it was disclosed here on the forum (you do know about these fees, right?).   
Unfortunately since the value cannot be readily determined, in addition to the normal fees, I'm afraid he's going to assess the "normal and customary" (his words, not mine) "Actuarial fee" to validate title and true value.    At least his listing charge won't apply since you didn't buy or sell it here.  That will save you thousands..man you are lucky!

[Bob23]

    Thanks, Salty, for bringing this delicate matter up. I just assumed that Smier was trying to duck out of paying his fair share so my attorneys will be contacting him this week. In addition, this boat that he claims he was given for free, well, it could be stolen, if you take my meaning.
   But Smier seems like a nice guy so I'm gonna waive the listing fees. Even though he didn't find the boat on this site, the fine print allows me to levy a listing fee anyway because, as a sailboat, it doesn't really list, it heels. The listing fee is less than the heeling fee so, yes you are saving thousands, possible millions.!
    Enjoy your new boat! Chrysler apparently built some nice little sailboats.
Bob23

[Citroen/Dave]

Anyone looking for a project boat?

There are three ComPac 16's sitting amongst two proud C16's at the Washington Sailing Marina, near Old Town Alexandria, next to Regan Airport, Washington DC.  (Hi, Pippen.)

The manager of the Marina owns one that has had water freeze in the keel.  His asking was $500; offer less and it will be yours.
I almost bought this one.  It is a '77.  Classic leak under the Port slide board.  Now covered with my blue tarp.

Another abandoned boat has had the keel breached; a stalactite has formed on the bottom of the keel and a a stalagmite has formed on the trailer, below.

A third boat is pointing skyward as the water blocked in the cockpit by leaves has changed the balance on the trailer.  This boat has water in the bilge and it will freeze this winter. The manager of the marina, Ron Hussler, I'm sure can tell you who owns these boats.  These boats are a '79 and an '81 with a bow sprit, if I remember correctly. One has a bimini.

My bet is that there are three near freebees available.

A forgoten(?) ComPac 23 is floating nearby . . .

Why do people pay Marina fee's on abandoned boats? There must be a place in H. for people that hoard stuff they don't want when others would love a good used boat, before the boats are allowed to rot.

[Smier]

Citroen Dave, your post gave me an idea!  We should have a seperate Compac yachts in need of rescue thread!!!  I have a coworker who commented how he'd love to get his hands on a sailboat, but can't afford to buy an expensive one, and from time to time people mention that they are looking for a CP16, CP19, etc...  

I'll have an update on the Starwind 22 this weekend.  All I can say for now is she's getting new tires tonight, and an hour and 20 minutes in the pressure wash bay at work did wonders for her appearance...  Oh, and we have a very fitting name for her!!!!  Stay tuned, picture to follow!!!

[Bob23]

Dave:
   Seriously, I'm very interested. I may give Ron a call tomorrow. I have an empty 23 trailer that I could transport either the 23 or a 16 home. Please, guys-not one word of this to the Admiral or you might  find me wearing concrete boots!
bob23

[Smier]

My 9 year old son, and my 6 year old daughter both helped out today on the Starwind.  First my son went with me to my work, where I had left the boat for the past week because of the scary tires that threatened to blow out at any moment.   He helped me install the new Carlisle trailer tires that I had mounted on my 35th anniversary edition Ford Mustang aluminum wheels, that I had just sitting in my basement.  They look better on the boat trailer than they ever did on my wifes car!  Earlier in the week I had installed new LED tail lights, and I spent an hour and twenty minutes pressure washing most of the exterior of the boat to get most of the dirt and mold washed off the top and sides of the boat.  It came out really nicely, and is now ready for a good buffing and wax.
Before:


After:




On the way home, my son and I stopped at the notary and got the boat Titled and registered in my name, so she's legally ours now!!!  Then, once we got home, we broke out the Lysol spray, a bucket of simple green, and some scrubby sponges to begin the detox of the interior.  All of the cushions are trashed, but will provide patterns for the new interior.  From what I can tell, the front two windows were left unlatched, which allowed rainwater to enter into the boat.  At one point, there must have been around 8 inches of stagnant water inside the boat.  I literally scrubbed every inch of the inside of the boat, including the bilge by hand... Twice so far...  Followed it up with some Lysol Clorox spray and a wipe down with paper towels afterward to hopefully kill any mold and mildew growth.  It took 6 hours of scubbing just to clean the cabin.  Here's a taste of what we found:


This was after the first scrub down:

I found a cheerful volunteer, my 6 year old daughter, to scrub all the storage compartments for me while I continued on the interior, she did a surprisingly good job, and really enjoyed spraying me with the hose...


We managed to get the interior almost completely cleaned out, I have all the cushions drying and airing out on my front porch.  I'm not sure I want any of them to even enter my house...  So here was today's progress:







Found some cool toys:




Pop top!!!


Nice storage compartments in the cockpit:



And one for the road!!!


So, I have been given two beautiful boats this year, and I'm thinking it would be nice to do something similar for someone else.  I have a really nice coworker who used to sail with his uncle as a child, and he has been very envious(not really the word I'm looking for) of my recent good fortune, and would love to get back into sailing.  He can't afford to buy a boat, so I'm thinking about selling him my CP16 for what I have into it so far, which is really only 3 tires and rims, new trailer lights and wires, a spare tire holder, new bearing and bearing buddies, and a bunch of sweat equity and some paint... I don't think I have more than $500 in my 16...  It would be perfect for his family, and it's really too small for mine.  What do you guys think?  Is it time to pass the Compac torch on to another family?  I certainly wouldn't plan on leaving this site, as I've enjoyed the knowledge gained, and the new friendships out on the web.  Can I stay and hang out if I become Compacless?  I have really enjoyed this site, and the CP16, it's a great little boat!!!

[Smier]

Oh, I completely forgot about our new boats name... Actually the coworker I mentioned came up with it!  He came in earlier this week and said, you should name your boat, "Freesailing" or "Free Sailing".  What do you all think?  It is fitting, and it has a nice ring to it!

[Pete H]

Hi Scott,

Congratulations on your good luck in finding and rescuing your two boats. Congratulations also on your generous impulse to pass on your CP 16 to your friend and his family at such an affordable price. You are a rare find in a world which so often seems to be inhabited by sharks.

Best wishes to you and your family and may you all have many happy experiences in your latest boat.

Pete H
Victoria, Australia

[Citroen/Dave]

Bob,

Call the Washington Sailing Marina.  Get Ron's boat. Offer anything less than $500. If it was a bad day for him, I bet he would give you the boat. 

The sky-pointing boat needs to be rescued before the first hard freeze.

Also, there is another "abandoned" Compac 16 sitting on a trailer with flat tires at Pohic Bay Regional Park.  I don't know if the keel is saturated but my bet is that the deck has leaks on this boat. This is the Fairfax County Park with camping and a very good launch facility on the Potomac River.  It is downstream from Mt Vernon.  Last Spring, the campground office looked up the person who pays the rent for storage: they called the owner who was not then interested in selling.  But, who knows when he will.

I agree about starting a thread of abandoned ComPacs.  Let get these boats into the hands off people who want a boat!

Dave

[Craig]

How about "Sailing Free"? As in sailing "off the wind".

[Smier]

It's been a bit crazy around here since the hurricane, busy at work as well at home trying to help my family clean up the damage (thankfully nothing major!!!).  I'm just getting around to tinkering with the boats again!  By the way Craig, I love the name "Sailing Free" for the Starwind!  I am hanging on to the CP16, it will be moving to my inlaws lake cottage to hopefully create some more sailors in our family!  My coworker reluctantly turned down my offer to sell him the boat, they are going thru some tough finacial times.  So on with the update!

So I decided that I am going to redo the interior of the boat myself(my wife thinks I'm crazy), the cushions are in ok shape, but not very appealing in the looks department...  I'm trying to convince my wife (who has sworn to never set foot in the Compacs cabin), that she wants to go on some weekend trips, so we need all the help we can get!   So after a little research I decided that I needed one of these:







It's an old gear driven Singer, supposedly capable of sewing denim, upholstery fabric, and even clothing grade leather.  I was going to buy an old beater sewing machine for my shop, but found this gem by accident, my wife who thought I was crazy is now thrilled!  Now to start shopping for fabric and foam, it gets dark to early to work on the boats after work anyway...

[MacGyver]

Smier, Great luck you have sir! I am glad to see another person so excited about boating!

I too bought a sewing machine and plan to redo my cushions. So far I have built Sailrites Foredeck bag, and am working on the sail cover.

We buy from Sailrite.com, and frankly after having first handedly experienced their support, I fully appreciate the little more in pricing, and etc.

After comparing to places not so nearby for us, I found that their pricing really isnt bad. in fact, for me from local (still an hour away) they are better priced.

On the net you can buy stuff cheaper than them, but I also like the whole account thing, so all I have to do is look at my account to remember what I ordered.

They will talk to you about a project, and with a order I had a problem, and the Owner himself took care of it! He also noted how he was going to change something due to my email to him in order to make the problem better in the future.

They have different foams, and when you think about how long they will last, it is worth it!

Mac

[kickingbug1]

  this is a guy to con into doing some sailwork for me.