Rank Amateur Here

[Decatur]

Hello sailors!  Yes, I am new here, live on the fertile loamy prairies of Illinois, also  The Land Of Lincoln.  I am the proud owner of a Bristol clean 1981 Com-Pac 16.  It's perfect in everyway!  I will be sailing on Shelbyville Lake and Clinton Lake.  It is my hope to sail the Great Loop in the Fall of 2016.   I do have one question, The Ida Rudder?  Does it truly improve the sailing characteristics i.e. pointing to windward?  Is it worth the purchase?

I've been reading all of the posts here and have enjoyed them all.   I am sure I will have many questions in the future!  I also want to be helpful if I can offer advice but, only if I have knowledge of the subject.  Regards  Tim

[hinmo]

double yes on the IDA!
100% different
enjoy

[Bob23]

Tim:
   Welcome! There are a lot of folks here from Illinois and please stick around and check out the CLR (Carlyle Lake Rendezvous) which is the epic Compac event in the mid west. However far you are, it's still close enough- I drive from NJ to attend and it's worth every mile and dollar.

   And please don't let your perceived lack of knowledge stop you from posting here- it doesn't stop the rest of us!!!!  Looking forward to your contributions. I guess you are busy planning your great loop tour!
Bob23 and "Koinonia" 1985 23/2 in NJ

[Decatur]

You are more than kind Bob!   Yes I was aware of CLR (Carlyle Lake Rendezvous)  I'm only seventy-five miles north of the lake and would not miss it for the world.  I hope to meet your acquaintance there!   Yes, New Jersey,  Have fond memories of New Jersey, The diners, newspapers, gardens, horse farms, and of course the Jersey shore.  Regards  Tim

[Bob23]

Ahhh.  A man of impeccable tastes! CLR 2016- just around the corner!
Bob23

[Tim Gardner]

Don't you mean "Ahhh.  A man of impeachable tastes! CLR 2016- just around the corner!", Bob23?

TG

[Citroen/Dave]

Decatur,

I'D A go for the rudder unless you can't afford one. In which case buy or make the equivalent. There are earlier threads as to construction methods.  

Flat plate rudders stall early unless the tiller is moved very gently as the stern begins to swing.  A stalled rudder is also known as a brake.  The IDA or equivalent is a hydrofoil that stalls later if the tiller is moved too fast. Before it stalls, it "lifts" the stern to a new course much faster, reducing the tendency to move the tiller too far and too fast.  I think there is also an interaction between the lift of the IDA and the lift of the keel that when sailing well balanced allows the CP 16 to point slightly higher.  

The IDA or equivalent can be a balanced rudder requiring less pressure on the tiller to hold a course.  The leading edge is slightly forward of it the rudder's turning axis when fully extended.  Be sure to double check that the rudder is fully down and forward before tightening the pivot nut.

Also highly recommended is an "over sized jib".  My '87 Mark II came with either a 130 or a 150, not sure which, but moving the total sail area forward makes a big difference. Moving the total sail area forward is the main difference between the Mark l and a Mark ll; the Mark l has a slightly larger main and smaller jib than the Mark II.  The Mark ll also has a bowsprit to make room for the larger jib.  I reef the main sail when the wind comes up before I change head sail back to the original jib.

My two cents worth . . .
Dave

[Decatur]

Thanks Dave, that was very helpful.  I will look at the other threads on making my own rudder.   I also am going to price the IDA rudder too.  Is it an easy installation?   Yes, I have a 150% jib which helps greatly on these small Midwestern lakes.  Here in Central Illinois it is starting to feel and look like Fall weather.   Really, Really sweet sailing weather.   Blue skies and light winds, just does not get any better weather for sailing and camping.  What are some good companies to insure your yacht with and what are the costs?  I am totally clueless on the matter of insurance.   Smooth Sailing   Tim

[mikew]

Tim, I have owned a 1981 cp-16 and now a 1983 model, so ask any questions here, I saw you may do the Great Loop in the future- would you use the 16 for the trip?

Mike

[Decatur]

Hi Mike....Thank you so much for replying.   Well,  truth be told, yes I am planning the trip now.  Plan on putting in on the Illinois River at Peoria, IL, in the late Fall of 2016, then  down Mississippi to Ohio River then down the Tennessee River.  Mike their is a great site on the net called "The Great Loop"   Plan on taking ten to twelve months to make it!  Hey, I'm in no hurry at all!  I have two issues that are a concern to me at the moment!  Boat Insurance, and an Ida foil rudder.  Have any thoughts on those two items Mike?

I've got a very sweet Com-Pac 16 in Bristol Clean condition, Perfect in every way.  Telephoned Ida Rudder people.  They want $295.00 for a new foil rudder, I told them I wanted a deal...50% off.  Ida Rudder saleman said rudder was not in production at the present time but they would sell me one with a weld blemish for $50.00 off list price and to contact them in November.  I'm very tired tonight so must close.  Best Regards Mike.   I am planning on using my 16 for Great Loop trip... I know that I can do it!!!

[crazycarl]

decatur,

i believe the loop is very doable in the 16.   i read a few years back of a man doing it in a potter 15, sans mast, using 2 electric trolling motors.

if i had the time off, i'd do it in our 19.

have you seen this site? http://www.captainjohn.org/GL-2-Intro.html

also, there a seminars at the chicago strictly sailboat show.

C.C.

[mattman]

Carl saw that boat for sale, it had 2 honda 2's on it. I think it was on craigslist somewhere around St. louis in the last few months.

[mikew]

Tim, I think it's great you may do the loop in your Compac, the boat is really overbuilt and capable. I may do the trip in a larger boat ( 19') for retirement.
I understand it's about 6000 mi. around the eastern US, mostly sheltered water. One can follow the seasons and have an endless summer! Kayaks and jet skis have done the Loop so the 16 must be more comfortable.
I have my boat set up for overnight cruising, spending up to 5 days at a time living aboard. As prep for the loop maybe you could start to set your boat up for cruising.
My 1981 model had a nylon anchor cleat in the bow, so I changed this out with an aluminum one with large backing washers. The boat also had no electrical system which I later added. It's all fun customizing your boat. As Carl mentioned check the loop link for Capt John ( good info here). Also the guy who motored about 3/4 around the loop in a 15' Potter :  http://towndock.net/shippingnews/dalamar?pg=1    
He started the trip on the Illinois river, near Peoria.

I only have the stock rudder which works OK for me, and  use my homeowners insurance for the boat, but others have had good results with Boat US.
If you'd like to discuss cruising mods for the boat , off this thread, my E-mail is in my Profile.

Mike        

[Citroen/Dave]

Decatur,

The IDA (and others) and the flat plate rudder are held on with the same pivot bolt.

Dave

[Craig]

Gotta find out about the mastless Potter with electric trolling motors! There has got to be more to that one! No sail? Electric? I am a sceptic (unless he rowed a lot!).