New (for a second time) to the forum

[RobinC]

Hello all.

I was a member of the forum several years ago until I sold my first CP-16 and bought a Precision 18.  Now I have seen the light and am back. LOL

A little about me:  I started sailing on a Sunfish years ago while in college. Had a 1987 CP 16 MK II for about 7 years then traded up to a Precision 18. Once my son was old enough to discover cars and girls I lost my crew so I traded back to another CP 16. It is so nice to be able to set up solo. This boat is a '77 MK I that was restored and customized by Keith Scott of The Sailboat Company in Richlands, NC.

The '77 has a number of upgrades that make it easy to set up, launch and retrieve, and a 7/8 fractional rig with MK II sails (he extended the bow using a Legacy anchor roller and the lengthened forestay is attached to that). It also has a boom tender system with a mast hinged at the foot, and a mast gallows to carry the mast when it is lowered. The boom with sail folds upwards and straps to the mast and the whole thing is lowered onto the mast gallows for towing. It also has a new sails, new paint job (AWL-craft paint), Raven Z-spar mast, rudder bearings, ladder with teak steps, bimini, teak trim inside covering the centerboard housing, Honda 2HP long shaft motor.

One very interesting modification he did was to remove the keel and replace it with a stainless Com-Pac centerboard. The centerboard weighs 75 lbs and he placed 330 lbs of lead and concrete in the floor on either side of the centerboard creating internal ballast (the floor is now level with the bunks). It does take up space in the cabin but I only day sail anyway. With the board down draft is about 2 1/2 ft, board up draft is about 5".  It sits really low on the trailer and is very easy to launch and retrieve.

I owned the P-18 for about 2 years between the two CP-16s and have not sailed together with another CP-16 so it is hard for me to make a comparison between the standard keel and modified boat but here is what I have noticed:  It is WAY easier to launch and retrieve. It's easy to get on and off the boat when it's on the trailer. It seems just as stable in the water when you step into the boat.  It does seem to point a little higher but again it's hard to compare. I assume there is less drag going downwind so it may be a little faster on that point of sail. I can't tell much of a difference on other points of sail.  I do like the ability to raise the board when the water gets shallow. It seems to track just fine with the motor running and board up.

I am definitely a novice sailor but all-in-all, what differences there are are more subtle than I have been able to perceive so far. All I know is I am having lots of fun with much less effort, far less effort than the P-18. Although the P-18 sailed well and is a nice boat, at age 57, it was getting too hard to set up by myself.

Be well

[capt.brian]

Wow! Sounds like a extensive refit. Very cool. I wound not mind seeing some pics if you get a chance. I am in the process of a refit myself. Purchased a 1990 16/3.

[Rob]

Welcome back to the Pac , I took a long break from sailing too and the boat I have now is a 1979 updated to a Mk 3 .I can really say that this boat found me . The mod with the swing keel sounds interesting and would like to see some pics of it. I really like my 16 but the fixed keel has many limitions . I have been looking at a West Wright Potter 15 or 19 and even a Siren 17 just because of the keel that tucks away .

[RobinC]

Thanks for the replies and inquiries. This week has been slammed but I will try to take some pictures of the modifications on my boat for you this weekend.

Be well.