Hello from a newbie!

[robertd]

Hello and pleased to see this Com-Pac Yacht Owners site. I am hoping that someone can help please. I am about to purchase my first Com-Pac 23 from someone in Dunedin, FL. I intend mooring it at Tavares marina or Mount Dora marina north of Orlando. However, the seller does not have a trailer and I am really reluctant to use one of the boat transport companies and would love to find someone with a trailer that could transport (about a 2 hour trip) and help me launch (I'm almost 70), of course paid. Happy Sailing and thank you for taking the time to read. Regards, Robert rldowdell@gmail.com

[Bob23]

Hi Robert and let me be the first to welcome you! Although I can't help directly, I'm sure someone else will chime in soon. I too am a 23 sailor (1985) but up in NJ. Is this your first Compac? Please tell us about yourself and boat. Always great to have another guy on board.
Best,
Bob23

[robertd]

Hi Bob,
Thank you for your reply and I'm really hoping that I can find someone that can help solve my problem. I hope to finalize the purchase this weekend and it will be my first 23 (1984). In fact I'm a Brit and haven't sailed since leaving the UK where I sailed off the south coast 17 years ago. Now retired so want to get back to it.
Here's hoping that someone can help! Nice to meet you Bob

[Billy]

Robert,
I am in Palm Harbor, just North of Dunedin, and would be glad to help you. However, my boat is a 19 and doubt my trailer would be cabable of handeling a 23.
But if you do find a trailer I would be willing to drive up with you and help you get her off the trailer and step the mast.

Did you contact the factory? they may be willing to help or at least point you in a direction.

Keep us updated.
Billy

[carry-on]

Robert,
Welcome...saw your future yacht on line. Looks very good and well priced.
Suggest a call to Hutchins in Clearwater (727-443-4408), only a few miles from Dunedin. They may have a lead or a trailer to carry the 23 to central Florida.

[robertd]

Hi Billy,
Thank you so much for replying....I'm not sure about the trailer for the 16. I have been in contact with the company and although they were extremely helpful, they don't have any trailers other than brand new which would be 75% of the cost of the boat in the first place. Maybe I could ask them whether the 23 would fit on a 16 trailer. I am so grateful for your very generous offer....timing is not great as I also have a torn rotator cuff on my left arm, oh well!
This seems to be a wonderful forum and wonderful members. Thank you again and I will for sure keep you informed. I really, really hope that something can be worked out as I do want the boat currently in Dunedin.

Robert

[robertd]

Thank you Carry-On, I have been in touch with Com-Pac (Hutchins) today and although they were extremely helpful, the offered option was to buy a trailer and they would haul to Tavares/Mount Dora. The trailer would cost not far off the cost of the boat which I could not afford to do.
This is a wonderful Forum and I am delighted to have found it this evening.
Robert

[Salty19]

Welcome to the forum, Robert.  Sorry, I'm no help on your dilemma but hope it works out for you.

Our member here "Hideaway" might be able to help you, he's in the area and has a 23 with trailer.  Might send him a personal message..

[Floridagent]

Welcome and congrats on your purchase!  I only bought my Sunday Cat last May so I am somewhat of a newbie as well.  My wife and I keep the boat on our dock on Lake Eustis which is also on the Harris chain of lakes.  My trailer would never handle the 23.  If you locate one I'm willing to help you as needed.  I have a Silverado rated to tow 7,500 lbs as well.  Recently a new sailboat appeared at the Eustis Marina across the cove and it looks an awful lot like a 23.  I'll stop by on Friday and see if it is and try to find out if the owner has a trailer to lend.  I check the forum every day so I'll track this thread.  //BobJ

[robertd]

Thank you Floridagent, that is most kind of you. I am so heartened by all the wonderful sailors that I have met on this forum in less than a day. Once the boat is in Tavares/Mount Dora and I get some sailing experience back under my belt it would be good to meet you on one of the Harris chain of lakes!
Also, Billy, I contacted com-pac re the 19 trailer and they said unfortunately that it would not work. The 23 weighs 1000lb more and of course larger dimensions but I sincerely thank you.
If anyone has any other thought I would be most grateful.
Thank you all again....
Robert

[Greene]

Hello.  Congratulations on your 23.  Last February I drove down to that same marina to pick up my 23.  Unfortunately I am located all the way up in Wisconsin, so my trailer isn't an option.  Send a personal message to Bob Lamb on this site.  He has his Pilothouse 23 in a slip in Dunedin and I'll bet if there is a trailer around he would know about it.  There were at least five 23's in that marina, so the odds are pretty good.

Say hi to Bob if you talk to him.  He is a really nice guy. 

Mike

[robertd]

Hi Mike,
Thank you for your input and for sure I will send a note to Bob Lamb. I am so pleased with all the great comments on this forum.
Ironically until 3 or 4 years ago I lived in Dunedin....great town!
Happy Sailing up there in Wisconsin.
Thank you again Mike

Robert

[bob lamb]

Hey Mates
  As several of us are trying to help with moving this boat I 've been wondering about an idea I've had.  Thinking about a "community trailer" that could be available to be used at various times for haulouts, transports, etc.  If several sailors chipped in to buy the trailor and find a central storage place we'd all be helped out. 

   Whaddayathinkaboutthat?

Bob

[don l]

Welcome and fair winds,  you will be happy to be a part of this site.  A whole lot of helpful information! This will be our sixth year of sailing.

[robertd]

Great idea - I am more than happy to buy it as it really is my dilemma that has caused this issue. The trailer cost is $3995 and I will store it at my cost over in Tavares. If anyone wants to chip in that would be great but not sure that would work out on ownership if we did that. I'm sure that could be worked out between us.
There is a two week lead time for the trailer and as soon as I confirm the boat purchase (likely in the next couple of days) I will order the trailer. Com-Pac will transport "my" boat from Dunedin to Tavares.
I would be pleased to hear any other thoughts on this idea. Thank you Bob for suggesting it...and thank you all for all your help with this issue. You are a great bunch and I'm very pleased to be part of this forum.
Happy Weekend Sailing!
Robert