Yet another new member

[Vectordirector]

Hi, new member here, Vectordirector. Learned to sail when I was 12 on Lake St. Louis, MO.  I raced Sunfish and Y-Flyers whenever the lake wasn't frozen. Got a real job at 20 and Hobie 14 Turbo while living/working in Kansas City.  I transferred jobs to Chicago in 1991, met a girl, got married, had a daughter, and sold the Hobie.  I justified the sale by telling myself the water was too cold and the season too short.  Looking back, I should have kept the 14 as it would be perfect for Crystal Lake, 3 minutes from my house.  Then 20 years working, having a family, go by and I decide I really need to get another boat.  

The choices are of course infinite. I decide I'm too old and out of shape for another Hobie, but would prefer to trailer sail rather than slip or moor.  One of the advantages to living where I do is the choices of sailing area I have available to me.  It is also one of the curses in that the conditions are so varied that a 15ft scow or dingy is best on my local lake, a 20 ft. keelboot would be better for Lake Geneva, WI, which is 45 minutes away, a 25+ft. slipped boat better for Lake Michigan, which is about an hour and a half away. After a long debate over what boat to get, I settled on Compac and specifically the Eclipse.   The Eclipse while not ideal on Crystal Lake, is doable for practicing launching and leisurely 2 hour sails, perfect for daysailing or overnighting on Lake Geneva, and in good weather, Lake Michigan isn't out of the question.  

New was a bit too pricey, so the search began for a used Eclipse.  There's the rub.  Not many have been made to begin with, and after searching Craigslist, Yachtworld, Boattrader, Ebay, CPYOA, SailboatOwners, etc.. the closest used one was in Florida.   Or so I thought. Further scouring of the internet brought my attention to the Yahoo Compac group and in June as I was reading the messages I saw a posting made back in March for a used 2005 Eclipse.  In Chicagoland of all places.   I emailed the owner asking if the boat was still available, and a couple of days later he replied that it was.  And it was located only about an hour away! Unbelievable.  

Long story long, I'm in the process of buying a 2005 Eclipse from a local Chicagoland owner.  He bought the boat from Keith Scott in North Carolina 3 years ago and unfortunately hasn't had time to sail her much.  The boat is in great shape although a bit dirty from having been stored outside and unused this season.  Just waiting for the financing to go through and she's all mine, maybe as soon as tomorrow.  I've already read just about every thread on the forum but I'm sure I'll still have questions.
Yes, I'm a bit excited.  
I'm bummed to have missed CLR this year, but get the dates for next year asap and I'll make sure I'll be off work for it.  

Fair Winds to all,

Vectordirector

[beradthefish]

Hi- I'm the other new guy looking at an Eclipse. I'll welcome you to the forum that I just joined about a week ago!

If you pick yours up soon, hook a brother up with a video tour if you have time.  The manufacturer's website isn't great for media and there's not much on the Internet.

Good luck with your purchase!

[Saluki86]

Welcome to the group.  One question......in the 2006 World Series were you pulling for the Cardinals or the Tigers? :-)

[Vectordirector]

I was there in 82 and 85.  After the 85 World Series, I gave up on pro baseball.  You know why if you are a Cardinals fan old enough to remember.  Now I"m mostly a Bears fan.  My wife surprised me with tickets to the Bears/Rams game in September for my birthday.   She loves football, and sailing.  Perfect wife!

Vectordirector

[Saluki86]

Was it the blown call at first in Game 6 or the total Worrell/Andjuar/Herzog meldown in Game 7?

[Vectordirector]

Wow, your memory is impressive.  Game 6 for sure.  Still wonder about if Denkinger wasn't paid off for that one.  I still pull for the Cards but I don't watch many games. 

[crazycarl]

Vectordirector,

I'm about 2 hours south of Lake Geneva and Lake Delavan. 

We're planning on getting up there this September after we return from vacation, maybe we can set sail together?

Carl

[Saluki86]

I grew up an STL fan.  Grew up on the IL side of the river.  I even went to Cardinal FOOTBALL games at Busch.  I was fortunate enough to go to Game 1 of last years series.  Very cool (literally....it was about 40deg at game time).

Cant wait to see pics of your new boat. 

[Vectordirector]

Sounds good Carl.  Lake Geneva is crazy up until Labor day and then gets relatively calm after that.   Pics will be coming when I'm sure she's mine.  I'll document everything on the Eclipse section of the forum.  Photography is another hobbby so there will be lots of pics. 

Vectordirector

[kickingbug1]

   hey vector, wait until you see the pics of the rendezvous. should convince you to come next year. i love the eclipse and if i had the cash i would have one in the garage. next year the more the merrier. good luck fair winds

[Vectordirector]

Wow, kickingbug, your garage must be bigger than mine.  The Eclipse and trailer will in no way fit in my standard 3 car garage.  Way too tall.  I've seen the CLR pics posted here and it looks like a good time was had by all.  The current owner of the Eclipse is heading out of town for 10 days so I won't get to pick up the boat until the 19th at the earliest.  Life gets in the way again, oh well.  I've waited 20 years, whats another 10 days.. 

Some of you older sunfish sailors may remember the sunfish sailing bible "Sail it Flat".  I read that book countless times when I was learning to sail and I like to think of it as good to remember at all times.  It seems to apply to Compacs too,  So:

Sail it flat,

Vectordirector 

[Eagleye]

Hi Vector and Welcome,

We too have had a similar experience in searching for an Eclipse.  After months of online searching over the winter we were fortunate to find one this spring only 200 miles from home.  She is our first boat so we are the newbies here but our Eclipse has been very tolerant with our lack of experience.  Suzie and I have had an amazing journey this summer with the "Madame" learning, growing and sharing this new way of life. 
The folks here on the site have so much to offer and due to the information that we have learned from them the experience has been even better.
Best of Luck to you and we will see you in the Eclipse section.

  Allen & Suzie

[Tim Gardner]

Sail it flat!  The CP19 mantra.  The eclipse is a 19 with a plumb bow an no transom(to speak of) !!!!

tg