Setup time for CP23...CP16 guy venturing onto CP23 page

[BruceW]

I put the mastender rig on my Slipper 17, used it for 3 years, worked great. The same guy who did the work is also a Com-pac dealer who puts these on CP 23s as well. His experiments are what Gerry Hutchins used to make the mast work on the new CP 23 pilothouse.

I think it might happen that I do the same fix to my CP 23 if I get a trailer and want to transport the boat fairly often.

Same guy also figured out a raising system using an electric winch stored below. He used it on a boat he kept above a low bridge, so he could save money at the cheap marina.

There are lots of things you can consider with the 23, to make things easier.

[brackish]

The setup of my mast raising system and the dropping or raising of the mast is about 20 minutes.  It's all that other stuff.  You'll see....welcome.

[lochinvar]

Ahh what a question: (Basically) "Is it easy to set up the 23 for a day sail...?" Right?

I have had a CP 16: easy, in about 30 to 40 minutes and you are on the water, after a deliberate checklist.

I now have a CP 19: a little more time but not much. The mast is right on the edge of one person's ability. You have to be ready - it's not impossible and it is a great boat for the day, or weekend.

The CP 23. I have just sailed one on a day trip, actually a weekend. I have a mast gen pole, created with suggestions from this site and from experiences with a Macgregor 26 from a past life. To summarize really:

I launch mine with a deliberate checklist. To get the rig up is one hour of getting everything ready. Complications are increased with a furler: it is heavy and you have to watch out for it dragging the mast during the raising to one side or the other and the furler spool dragging on the deck. Yes, it is all doable with one person. Yes you must have a mast crutch.

There are way more lines than a 16; the 16's rigging is simple. The 19's is more complex and the mast on the 19 you have to be ready and use a halyard or something else to help. But I would say the 23 - you must have two people or a mast-raising device or contraption, *especially* if you have a furler.
Bottom line: Count your blessings no matter what Compac you have...

Shawn F.