Com-Pac 27

[fourwinds]

I am looking to buy a cp27 within the next year.  I travel for work and would luv to go for a sail on one if possible.  I come from racing j24s for the past 6 years but I have sold my boat and I am going to do some cruising.  I am worried I will not be excited by the motion of a Com-pac.  Can anyone tell me what type of performance you get from a cp27?  I travel for work so if you live near the following can we go for a sail on your cp27, I will gladly provide the beer, dinner afterwards, what ever, I am good crew too!!!!North Florida, Eastern GA, SC, NC. 
Also, has anyone sailed both a Catalina 27 and a CP27?  I found a great data sheet comparing the two but I would be curious if anyone has real experience on both boats and would share some knowledge.  Also if you have a cp7 for sale (not the dinette model) under15k let me know.  This is why I am not quite ready to buy as I see most nice ones are around 20K.

[Nicolina]

I love my CP27 and she performs well for me, but honestly, I cannot promise that a CP27 will have the motion that will excite you - whatever kind of motion that is. I'd say the 27 is reasonably quick on a reach but no racer on the beat. It is not a racer anyway, but a comfortable and competent cruiser.  I doubt you will find a nice one for under 15k, but a beat-up one can be had for the price. A nice one, 20k is better. I am not sure what you mean with the dinette model - all CP27s have the same interior layout. Changes throughout the model years have been modest, with the exception of the auxiliary. Check the trails in the 27-specific are of this site.

[fourwinds]

This is the only one I have seen with this layout:
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1989-Com-Pac-27-3-100125609
Crazy, not sure I like it.  I see some asking prices of 20k, so I figure I might get one for 15-20k.  I'm at about 10k now and hope I can hold out til end of the year.  Its hard not having a boat.  Where are you located? 

[Nicolina]

Interesting layout, I have never seen one like this before. It kills a berth, but who really sleeps six on a 27? I don't think its bad. Yes, you can get a 27 in the 15-20k range but assume that you will have to put a little money and effort in on top. I paid 17.5k for mine which was sound, good sails, etc, but nonetheless there were some expenses. You'll pay more for a Mark III because of the upgraded (18 hp) engine. I am based on the southern Chesapeake.

[Koinonia]

Im on lake hartwell in anderson sc, so if your heading this way let me know.  Only catch is Im only off during the week.  I previously owned a catalina 27 and it does sail better than the compac but the c27 is way better built, much much nicer, has a ton of storage and for me is just a better boat.  If you can really try to find a 3 cylinder engine.  These boats with a 2 banger are good in calm water but in a chop out inthe ocean heading into the wind they cant keep forward movement well. 

[BobK]

I have moved up from my CP 23 to a CP27 this year.  Koinonia and I are on the same dock at the Western Carolina Sailing Club on Lake Hartwell in SC.  I can take you out on weekends if that helps.

[fourwinds]

Nicolina,
   I do not really like that lay out,Seems like the below would not feel as open, might be good for meals and games though. If the price was super I would consider buying her but I do not have enough saved yet.  I am ok w paying 15-17 and doing a lil work.  My last boat was 1k and I put 18months and about 6k more into her, this time I do not want a total project.  I am in FL so I hope the prices are a lil better.

BobK,
   Thank you for the offer but my job only takes me up I95 and East in SC.  Really thank you I want to sail one before I buy.

Koinonia,
   Thank you for the offer to go out also.  What do you mean by, "it sails better"?  Also, which are you referring to as the c27?  I think you mean the Com-pac but Catalina calls their 27 a C27!!!  So which do you feel is better made boat?  Can you specifically describe the sailing characteristics, are you flying spinnaker?

[Nicolina]

Koinonia: I have never heard of a three-cylinder engine in the CP27. The two stock engines are the Universal 10 hp and the Westerbeke 18 hp, both two cylinders. I have the smaller one in my boat and it seems fine, but can be marginal. The 18 hp should be sufficient. Are you referring to an after-market installation of a three-cylinder? Would that not have a substantial weight penalty? Interested to hear ...

[Koinonia]

My mistake on refering to a boat as a C27 when comparing the two as we can call either one a C27.  The catalina has a smaller beam and a narrow entry with standing rigging set further in than the Compac.  I do love the large V berth in the Compac.  Im 6,1 and my wife is 5,0 so we both fit in rather well.  If one of use has to get up in the middle of the night we can do so with minimal disturbance to the other person.  I do fly an asymetrical spinnaker on the boat and love the downwind performance.  I must have really had the 3 banger on my mind which is what I want to put in, It may mean moving the electrical panel or making the panel area not so deep.  I may also see what I can do with differant props on the boat.  The common universal/kubota engines used the same transmisions and water pumps so if I were to find a good engine though either agricultural or industrial sources it may be a great way to repower the boat.  I will be looking at about a 100lb gain by doing this.  The boat can handle alot of extra weight as I found out during out last trip to south Fl.  The boat was lower in the water when I hauled out and I could even tell the differance pulling her down the interstate.