Greetings! A Com-Pac for me?!

[Splastiko]

Good afternoon everyone! I'm very happy I found this forum!

I'd first like to introduce myself, and further ask some questions. The basics: my name is Stephen, 26 years old, from Louisiana, and I have recently fallen in love with sailing. I've grown up around boats my entire life, my father, is a merchant mariner, and now a ship pilot. As you can imagine, the nautical lifestyle has been apart of me since birth, although entirely around powerboats. I've always had a thing for sailing, and finally went out and got involved with our local club. I've got myself a mid 60s Flying Scot and I've been sailing, racing, and learning as much as possible since this all began last September.

I do love my Flying Scot, it is a blast to sail and race, and have been learning from some great people at my club. As much as I enjoy the racing, I just absolutely love being on the water, and the cruising aspect. I want to move into a bigger boat before too long and as you all know, boat hunting is fun, but always a compromise. I've been looking at many different boats from up to 32ish feet down to 22ish, and weighing all the different options. I found the Com-Pac 23 and think it might be just right. I'd really like to get into a boat that I can sail more than work on, as most would agree. I think it'd be nice to have the comforts of a boat in the 28/30 LOA, but it also seems like the costs and upkeep are a huge downside for me, at my age. A close friend has a Beneteau First 42, and while it is great to hang out on, and sail, he is constantly having to fix something.

Some of the things I'm looking for are:
-Shallow Draft
-Bridge Clearance
-Occasional Overnight
-Simple systems (electric, holding tanks, outboard/tiller, etc) Does the CP23 have shorepower?

I could probably go on and on.

Most of my sailing is with friends, and the overnights would be me, or me and the wife and dog.

Thanks for reading the ramblings So, is the CP23 for me?

[brackish]

Hello Stephen,

Where in Louisiana are you?

Some of the things I'm looking for are:
-Shallow Draft - Yes, but at 27" there are boats in the size range that have less
-Bridge Clearance - depends on the bridge you need to get under
-Occasional Overnight - I think most of we 23 owners do that and some longer cruises too
-Simple systems (electric, holding tanks, outboard/tiller, etc) Does the CP23 have shorepower?
Holding tank is a portapotty, although some have been converted to have pump out tanks, shorepower is an option, some have it others do not, not a big deal to install it.


Is it for you? hard to say with the info given.  Do you plan to leave it in the water or trailer it to your sailing ground every time you want to sail?  Can you live with sitting headroom?  Can your wife live with a portapotty between the V berth?  Much more info needed before a recommendation and then, of course, the usual disclaimers will apply.

The ComPac yacht site will give you all the specifications on the boat, including the options that are available.  The basic boat hasn't changed in 35 years, except for the addition of the bowsprit. 

[capt_nemo]

Splastico,

Sounds like you are interested in a "roomy" boat, and the 23 may just be the right one for you.

However, if you want a boat that not only meets, BUT EXCEEDS all of your requirements, is a snap to rig for sail in MINUTES, and can be kept super simple or made as complicated as you want - consider a pre-owned Sun Cat. And, if you absolutely have to have a Jib with your gaff headed mainsail, I've made several for "Frisky" the Sun Cat.

It would be a good, relatively inexpensive, "Pocket Cruiser" that can get you into serious day sailing and occasional overnights. Although I "cruise" solo, there are couples who find the Sun Cat adequate for overnighting.

[Craig]

Welcome Stephen! As Capt Nemo said, the Suncat is a great boat(I loved mine!) but I have the feeling you might need just a tad more room(especially overnight with the dog). The dual cabin layout also adds a bit more privacy for the porta-potty(a plus for female crew!). Having sailed a Flying Scot you could find the Suncat a bit"pokey". Not that the 23 is a speed demon but is does offer extra sail options. Like all Compacs it is a well made,sturdy boat with good sailing/handling characteristics and a very useable interior for a 23. Also like all Compacs the customer support is second to none. I would recommend you take a test sail and see how you like it

[Splastiko]

Wow, thank you all for your replies. Sorry it has taken me a bit to get back, as I ended up..sailing this evening!

Brackish
I'm sailing around Lake Charles, LA. I've got family in the Orange Beach, AL area, and another reason for the CP23 is the possibility of hauling it there for extended periods. Pretty sweet cruising grounds around there.

Regarding your questions:
-I'll keep the boat in a wet slip at our yacht club, with the ability to haul out with our launch, all while leaving the mast up to do work and or leave it on the trailer for whatever reasons.
-Sitting headroom? I think I can handle, I'm just under 6' and the wife is a small lady. I think I could get by, I doubt we'll be spending a whole lot of time in the cabin, maybe for a nap and lounging around. I've heard with the bulkheads its a nice place to prop up with a pillow.
-Porta potty? That may be the only issue, although with limited over nights, I don't think too much of an issue. My wife enjoys and grew up camping, so I think we can manage.

Question: How big is the vbirth? Is it comfy enough for us? (I'm about 5'10" and shes petite)

Capt Nemo
The sun cat is a pretty cool rig, although I am pretty set on a sloop rig. Thank you for the input!

Craig
Thanks! A great thing I have read is about customer support and the family run show that Hutchins has.

I appreciate all of y'alls input. Thanks again.

[brackish]

Question: How big is the vbirth? Is it comfy enough for us? (I'm about 5'10" and shes petite)

I'm 5'11' and my wife is 5'4", we are both of normal weight for our height, and we find the V-berth quite comfortable for sleeping.

If you are planning to keep it in a wet slip, but periodically tow to another cruising ground, then, yes the CP23 is definitely a good choice.  I do the same thing, boat stays wet at Bay Springs Marina in Northeast Mississippi, most of the time, and once a year I tow to the coast to sail the upper Gulf.  I've sailed in various places from Port St. Joe, FL, to Pensacola, and the boat is great for that cruising ground with the shallow draft and winds keeping you primarily on comfortable reaches.  In fact, but for some conflicts, I would be down there this weekend sailing the B.E.E.R cruise from Pensacola, a four day cruise for trailer sailors organized primarily by a group of folks from your neck of the woods.

I think it is at the top of the class in this size range, but the step up is to attain standing headroom and a separate enclosed head.  However, then you lose the ability to transport it over land, unless you go with a water ballast, which I've never been fond of.  Good luck with your boat search.

[Splastiko]

I've heard of the B.E.E.R. cruise and would definitely like to be involved once I move up into a bigger boat.

Thanks again for all the input. I'm in no big rush to move up, but if I find something in pretty good shape, I may just go after it. I'll certainly share info and pictures if I find one!