Com-Pac 19 (XL) versus Catalina Capri 18

[legends117]

Hi all - I am a novice sailor and have been searching for a small trailerable sailboat (behind an older Acura MDX) that I can single hand. The boat needs <3' draft so I can, and I plan mostly on day sailing in a bay in NW Florida.  I need a boat with a cabin, so there is room for a porta-potty for the wife and I would like to be able to "camp" over night on occasion, but primarily I would use the boat for sailing a few hours at a time.  I have narrowed my search to the Com-Pac 19, (and found a few XL versions for sale) and a Capri 18 with a wing keel.

I like the look of the CP 19, and everything I have read confirms the quality of manufacture is very good, but I am a little concerned about performance with the very short keel.  The Capri 18 seems like a nice boat with a slightly wider beam, but has a smaller cabin and may be a little more tender.  However, I think the wing keel may provide better performance than the CP 19. 

So, I was wondering if any CP19 owner may have had experience with the Capri 18, and would share their experience.

Thanks much - JD

[Mike]

I have a 19 and years of experience on other trailer sailors (Drascombe lugger, Cal 20, many dingys but not a Catalina 18).  You will find that the 19
while not tender, performs well in light air and when breeze freshens.  Easy to single hand but I would guess that the launch and retrieve would be easier with the Catalina. 

[kickingbug1]

   i have never owned a cp 19 but have sailed on and against a few and they are great boats. they are stable (dont heel much) comfortable and have a roomy cabin and are blessed with beautiful and classic lines. 19s are pretty heavy at 2000 plus pounds plus trailer and as i found out a little pricy (for a real nice one). after 6 years of sailing a cp16, we decided that a bigger boat was in order. so the search was on for a cp19. sadly after searching and finding them either in need of repair. too pricey, too far away or sold before we could get there i gave up. like you my second choice was a catalina capri 18, a little known but thoroughly enjoyable boat. last spring i bought a 1987 model. the 87 is not a wing keel but a typical shoal draft (2') boat. the capri is lighter (1500lbs) and has less sail area (155 sq ft with 100% jib). i think that the quality of the capri (at least mine) is either on par with com-pac or possibly better. im 62 and i can step the mast without any help (although i am 6'5" which helps). it also helps to have the extendable mast crutch as im sure it would with a cp19. i think the cp19 is faster at least with the genoa however the catalina is a better light air performer. for me at least the catalina has a more comfortable cockpit. the seats are angled and the footwell is deeper. i am very pleased with my catalina, she points well and exhibits very little weather helm. the tiller is light and she tacks easily. both boats are dry boats (the com-pac is better though). my only complaint about the catalina is the placement of the mainsheet blocks. it is attached to the backstay. this necessitates adjusting the mainsheet everytime you come about since the backstay if off to the starboard side. i changed mine by making a u shaped grab bar which goes over the tiller. it has a loop on the top for the mainsheet attachment. this keeps the boom the same distance from the centerline each time you come about.  anyway i think either boat is a great choice i think the catalina will be my last sailboat (until i get to old to rig her) but im sure had i found a cp19 i would have said the same. i pull the catalina with a s10 pickup with a v6

[Salty19]

Check out this CP19 review that was features in Good Old Boat magazine by our resident author, astronomy and celestial navigator Henry Cordova.

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=7584.0

There are other reviews out there on the web too.

For me the decision is a no brainer to get the 19, but I am biased having owned two Com-pacs and very pleased with our CP19XL. So pleased that I honestly don't believe there is a better boat, at least for me and my wife right now.
It's big enough to not feel cramped but small enough to not be a towing and maintenance monstrosity. Quality is top notch, factory support is excellent and resale value is very good.    The performance of the CP19 is really good for her size and design type.  Forget everything you may of read about Com-pac performance with respect to the 19...she sails the best of all the Com-pacs.   Heck, I beat a CP23 in last years CLR race, and routinely am quicker than other boats on our lake (C22's, starwinds, Catalina 19's, Hunter 19, etc).  And the stability is phenomenal.

If you do decide on a 19 and find one you like, trust me do not screw around with hemming and hawing over the decision too long.  If a CP19 is for sale in good shape at a reasonable price it will be sold extremely fast.  Only 624 were made so supply is low.  XL's are even rarer, only about 70 made.  I wouldn't fixate too much on an XL unless you want a newer boat and can afford the higher price of the XL's. The version 2 and 3 designs are really nice too.