Hello

[afterhatch]

Hello I saw this is the place for introductions.  I'm looking at getting a com-pac 16.  My experience is with sailing dinghies and motor boats, now i'm looking for a small keel boat i can store and maintain by myself.  I live on the coast of Maine and sail in the bay.  I've checked out c16s but never got one.  As I get older i have no desire for a fast or tippy boat.  With arthritis and other issues i'm basically a terminal beginner so need a forgiving boat.  Owning a mooring in a decent spot is the hard part where i live, fortunately i have one of those so am just looking for the right boat to keep there.  Keeping it in salt water means no iron centerboards so that pretty much narrows it to a com-pac in the ballasted sub-18' category.  I've been searching around online for info and will probably ask some questions in the c16 section.  I appreciate the knowledge base of this site.

[HeaveToo]

Welcome aboard.

You could always check out a CP 19 or a 23 as well.  The larger boats may be a little more solid under foot.  Even better since you already have a mooring.

There is a lot of knowledge here.  Good Luck

[ChuckD]

Welcome, Afterhatch!
Having just purchased my CP16 this summer, I think your choice is excellent! I bombarded the forum with initial questions - and I've never seen this level of friendly responsiveness.

I'm in my mid-50's, and love the simplicity and stability of the Com-Pac!
Good luck on your search! Keep us posted!
Chuck

[Bob23]

Welcome  Mr. Hatch:
   Here you will find all the answers to the questions of life. A few of the answers may even be correct.   Where in Maine? I was just up in Boothbay- an old friend has a home on a small lake and we did some fun rowing. Welcome!!!
Bob23 and "Koinonia" a 198523/2 in NJ

[HeaveToo]

Dag Nab It!  Bob23 is slipping again.  So much for him being the official debt collector for the site.  LOL

[Catawampus]

Keith at the Sailboat Company in Eastern North Carolina is a big fan of the CP16. Lots of info at his site:
http://www.ipass.net/sailboat/

[Tim Gardner]

Guys, Guys!  Bob isn't slipping, he's luring them in to debt!
TG

[Bob23]

  Tim's got it! After I offer what seems to be a heart-felt and sincere welcome and Iv'e gained their trust, I send a private collections agency email threatening to expose every family secret going back 5 generations unless they comply with my financial demands. We all win here: I get rich, we get many members and they feel they've contributed to a worthy cause- my boat and rum fund. 
   Heave: If they haven't already, my uncles Vito, Tito and Joey should be stopping by your place for a little talk. Seems your check bounced and they are not very happy, not very happy at all. You don't want to make uncle Vito unhappy. When Vito is not happy, things are not good. Capiche?
Bob23

[jthatcher]

good morning!    what part of maine are we talking about?   my wife and i  spent last summer  on Mt Desert Island, and we are anticipating returning in May..   would be happy to talk about compacs with you!  jt

[afterhatch]

Hello, I am near camden, between mdi and boothbay mentioned above.
My mooring is rigged for under 20', also the location.  A bigger mooring would send me out to the breakwater on a waiting list.
I had a 19', a good size for the bay but my body is unable to keep up with launching and maintenance, i do everything solo.  So I am looking for a stable, sub-18' boat.  thanks for the replies

[Tom L.]

afterhatch, not trying to change the subject but the Sun Cat at 17' is very user friendly. Easiest to rig and only one sail to deal with. Sailing a Cat boat is so enjoyable. Just steer and trim the main.
I recently sailed the ICW in a narrow channel for 6 hours no less than 30 tacks in 17 knots. When I tied up for the night I was still rested. In a sloop I would have been dog tired from beating all that time.
In Maine the Cat Boat is King.

Tom L.

[Catawampus]

Ditto to what Tom L. says regarding the Sun Cat. I solo mine often, including rigging and launching from her trailer. I'm no spring chicken either. Chicken maybe, but very little spring left.

[afterhatch]

A cat boat would be my first choice but "in Maine the cat is king" is right, out of my price range.  I'm not stuck on any one boat but i'm tired of rehabbing one wrong for me boat after another at the expense of pain and money, so i am asking questions before jumping into the next one, thanks for the tip

[Craig]

Catboats rule! Especially for shorthanded/solo sailors.

[jthatcher]

20 foot max.. bummer, i was going to suggest  a partnership!  your mooring,  my compac 23!     camden is a beautiful spot in the world..  I have spent a fair amount of time there and around the mid-coast..   our current  set up is that we are working at Mr Dersert Campground  5 months of the year and totally loving it..   but we don't have the boat there, and so the entire summer went by without any sailing..   we more than made up for it with hiking, biking and kayaking, however!   I hope that you find just the right boat..  and invite us down for a sail     jt