Advice Requested: Looking at a CP-23 1981

[Billy]

We let kicking bug stick around. 

But I would consider the 19. Make a weekend trip out of it. With the exception of any owner modifications the boat should be solid.
I would contact the owner and ask what modifications have been done and ask for some more pictures. Explain your situation and the distance you would need to travel and I bet he would be willing to accommodate.

I love my 19 and with three kids it would be a much better boat than a 16. Sails flatter and has life lines to keep your kids on board. The 16 heels much more, no lifelines and really no cabin either.

Unless that 19 has some significant damage from a wreck or similar I can't imagine it not being worth $3000. Plus that is the asking price. Bet you could get her for $2,500.

[neosoul]

Billy
Having read your post and taking a few moments to consider your advice, I sent an email to the owner of the CP-19 in Waterfall NY a few moments ago. I used your post to cobble together a letter asking him about the boat and I shared with him that it is an 8.5 hour trip from where I live to his town. You can be sure I'll let you know what he has to say.

While I wait for a response from the CP-19 owner I am curious about a few items: Will my wife's Honda Odyssey be OK to make the journey home with this boat? I'll be traveling through the Appalachian Mountains to reach this town. (The owners manual says the towing capacity is 3,000lbs) Any suggestions regarding what size motor works well with the CP-19? Also, if all the running rigging needs to be replaced what's the estimated cost?

Again thanks for the input and I am very glad to have found this forum.
Neo

[Bob23]

Neo:
   We're all one big happy family of Compac-o-nauts! Here, size doesn't matter. Personally, sometimes I feel my 23 is too big for me. I've been aboard 16's, 19's, 23's and a 27. All are really fine in thier own way. I've been looking around for a clunker 16 that I could use as a trailerable daysailer and I missed a great deal on a very rare 14 a few years ago.
   Good luck in your hunting. Sounds like you're a man of intergrity...glad you didn't give that creep your hard earned $!
Bob23

[Billy]

My old engine was a 2.5 hp yamaha and it pushed her just fine......in calm water. It was only a 15" (short) shaft. When the water got rough the prop would come out of the water though. Do a search here and you will find lots on prefered engines.

Your Honda should have no problem towing a 19.

And I am guessing the standing rigging is around $500. Pretty sure there is a parts list floating around here somewhere too.if not email Gerry Hutchins at the compac factory. He will send you one.

[Salty19]

Standing rigging for a 19 is about $650, running rigging varies based lines chosen, $200-$400. Main and jib would be a out $1100 min. 19's are indeed very stable and feel worlds safer than 16's. however the 16's are safe too, just heel more.

There is no way a 19 can be setup in 15 mins. Raising mast, yes. Adding sails and fitting running rigging, boom, etc take some addl time, unless your working very fast with two people and no hangups

[MacGyver]

My bad......I meant getting the rig up. When we setup customers boats we leave the sails to them.
Adding sails and such for me is about 1/2 hour or so......I guess if I had to trailer her, it would take me from drive up to launch to sailable would be around 45 minutes to an hour.

Does that sound right Salty??

We keep ours in a slip (luckily) so it is hard to gauge for me the total time......

Mac

[neosoul]

Folks,
I found this CP-23 listed on Maine's CraigsList - http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/3848716168.html the asking price $4,500.
Here are some photos they sent me. It's a boatyard selling for a customer.



I've been told via text that that they think the boat is an 84'
Any thoughts based on what you see?
Thanks,
Neo

[Shawn]

Not too much to see really, looks like the wood hasn't been maintained in awhile based on the companionway and the tiller. It has the bowsprite so it is either an '84(or later) or an upgraded earlier boat. It is either an upgraded MKI or MKII based on the round portholes. MKI has a very basic interior, MKII is much prettier inside with more storage and less sleeping area. Can't recall when they went to MKIII (89ish??), it is no newer than that.

At some point it was owned by someone fairly serious based on the stern anchor....

Shawn

[Bob23]

That could be a sister to my 1985 23/2 with the ligher color band just below the rubrail. If your'e close enough, I'd advise going to take a look. From what can be seen in the photos, she doesn't look bad.
Bob23

[jthatcher]

hey there..  I am sitting in the cockpit of my   1983  compac 23 as i read this..    the boat in question definitely looks like an 84 or newer..  has all of the upgrades, including stainless steel  stanchions and pulpits..      i was just sailing late this afternoon with the previous owner.. had a wonderful time..   this is a great boat.. 

and,  a trip to Maine..  wow..  what more could one ask for       Bucksport is a way up the coast..   let's see.   a stop in Portsmouth NH for lunch..  then on to  Camden  for dinner and  a cup of tea on the docks, dreaming of one day bringing the boat to the Maine coast..  Bucksport in the morning to inspect and  hook up the boat..  and then head south..    a stop in  Rockland for lunch at The Brown Bag..  ( a great town with lots of great shops,  even if not quite as picturesque at Camden)   and then home..      how much time do you have?  you could make it into a family vacation     i have lots more suggestions if you do! 

good luck  with your search and welcome to the forum..     you will meet a few characters here..  but that is half of the fun..      jt

[neosoul]

JT,
That sounds great! I actually can take a few days to do a trip like you describe. But my thoughts are more focused on whether or not this boat is worth the trip. The people selling this boat barely communicate when I contact them to ask questions. Everything is done via texting and the delay between the time when they respond to my texts is over 24 hours. When they do respond I get vague answers. "What year is she? Where are you located? I plan on being in you area early next week." Their response: "I think she's an 84 - we're in Penobscot and call ahead, we're usually by the black truck". I smiled and laughed at that one.

Another concern I have is price. My local boating friends told me to look at the NADA guide online to get an idea of where the price should be for this boat, if I want to make an offer. Looking at the guide it list two models of 1984 CP-23s a "23"(Low retail $3,960) and a "23 II" (Low retail $3,800) what's the difference between the two? If I like the boat, I want to be able to make an informed reasonable offer, but honestly I do not know if the NADA guides are accurate. I also do not know how long the boat has been on the hard, uncovered and what surprises (good or bad) I'll find once I take a closer look.
Obviously I do not intend to pay the asking price of $4,500; I'd love to be able to get it for $3,500 or less so I have enough left in the budget to handle all the repairs and needed upgrades to get her to sail safely. Is this realistic?

Another item I am really worried about is the trailer getting this boat home if I do strike a deal. I may have to find a trailer repair guy right away to get it checked. Our family Truckster (aka Honda mini-van) has a towing capacity of 3,500lbs. Will this be safe to pull this boat 350 miles to my house?

(Any knowledgeable CP owners on the forum from Maine? I'd be happy to buy you lunch or dinner (both if you're super cool) plus drinks and give you a few extra dollars if you can meet me at this boatyard in Penobscot, I'll be by the black truck.)

As far as the CP-19 I found in Canada, I mean Watertown NY is concerned, I bet it's sold I haven't heard back from them. I sent two more emails today.

This is a really a great place for me to vent. I feel better already.
Neo

[MacGyver]

I dont think you can pull that 23..... I have a Ranger that tows 6500 and I would be good to pull it, but you definitely feel it back there.
Now, that 19, you should be good to pull. she weighs about 2500 to 3000 when full. I think the 23 alone is 3000 lbs....... add the trailer and stuff in the boat and voila! over your limit.

NADA is not good for ComPac, but will give you a ball park. Ask here as well. The reason is that there arent many sold that get reported, etc. so that affects their numbers.
We have a BUC book at the marina I work at, I use it to get values, and has percentages and adjustment tables, which is nice, but again, the ComPacs are scarce.......

Keep pegging that guy with the 19, when I went to get mine I went about 150 miles or something like that one way, and it WAS A ADVENTURE to say the least.... but we went out and watched the fire works on her, just got back....... it is really nice having a Sailboat, but especially a ComPac.

Mac

[Salty19]

I would say no, a Honda Odyssey would not be safe to pull a 23. Especially in hilly New York state.

A 23 and trailer weigh more than 3500lbs.  

How are you going to control the trailer brakes? Can you wire up a controller if the trailer uses electronic brakes?

Can your FWD only make it up the ramp with that much on the tongue, lifting the front end?

Are you going to have your wife, 3 kids AND a 23 in tow with a 350-400lb tongue weight?

How close are you to the limits?

What does your insurance company feel about insuring you with this rig? If you exceed vehicle limits, insurance will not cover damages (check this).

Hate to say it, but I think you need to look for a 19 if you want to keep the Odyssey.

I have a 2012 CX-9 which is probably a little better tow vehicle than an Odyssey.  It tows the 19 OK, but no way would I want a 23 back there. Granted I'm conservative when towing and don't like the feeling of not being able to control the rig.

[Salty19]

LOL...Mac and I answered at the same time. 

Conclusion: Get a 19 

[neosoul]

You guys are right and I am glad I asked.
I need to find a CP-19.

I found two on CraigsList:
1985 CP-19 II - no trailer Asking $6,175 (What's the difference between a CP-19 and CP-19 II?)
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/boa/3842350022.html

and

1984 CP-19 with trailer - Asking $5,750
http://burlington.craigslist.org/boa/3883932181.html

Are these priced fairly? What are your thoughts on these two boats?
Thanks!
Neo