transom rack for gas can

[shrevemr]

While looking through the gallery photos, I saw some transom racks for carrying a small gas can. Are these generic and where can I find one? Storage of the gas can is always problematic on board and this seems like a great solution.

[TroyVB]

Sorry about the lack of response here.  I was always going to go back and look for the rack that you were referring to but I forgot.  I apologize.

I think that the pictures were from Dale Smith and the "rack" was actually his boat's swim ladder which he found that a 1 gallon can would fit between the ladder and the transom.  I could be wrong.  It has happened before and I'm sure will happen again.

Sorry for the lack of response.

[multimedia_smith]

Gas outside?  Yup, that was me...
here is the link to the pic:
http://www.com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=49&pos=18
I have an older can that fits a little better.. the new ones have a bevel at one end.  You can stick that end in first and then pry it in.  The folding part of the ladder had a rung in the middle, so it keeps things on board.  I actually bring both sometimes... although I have never had need for more than one so far... the second container goes at the top of the ladder with a bungee.
I'm thinking of how to bring the photos into the current gallery software under my files... I'm happy that the forum facilitators have been able to link all the "owners pages" from the old gallery... we all owe them a debt of gratitude for their efforts in maintaining this site... THANKS GUYS!!
Happy sailing
Dale

[mikeg]

Multimedia_Smith--- if you're out there...

I have an off-topic question about "Sweet Little 16". I see that you have good lookin' cockpit cushions in your 16, but wondered where you got them? Are these Bottomsiders or C-Cushions perhaps?

Your 16 appears to be a 16/III, so the cushions may have come with her? If not, could you let me know where you got them? I'm looking to get some for my 19/II. Also, how do the gunwale-side/"seatback" cushions attach on there? If aftermarket, rigging fastening for these must have required some doin'?

Mike G.
s/v Freebird -Alachua, FL

[Craig Weis]

Hi Mike. Take a look~see at 'skip's pics' in the gallery and you will see how I did my cock pit cushions...
I was not about to drill anyholes in my cockpit for snaps or other fasteners...so

I went to WestMarine and picked up three So-Pac Cock pit cushions. They are SPA-40131 52" x 12 3/4" x 1 1/4" close cell foam, made in New Zealand. I'm too cheap to buy custom molded cushions.

Then slit one cushion in half with a razor blade and using 3-M spray adhesive masked off the area and applied this glue to the cock pit combing and the back side of the slit cushions.

After they tacked up I pressed the cushions on to the combing even with the top of the combing and taped-to-hold with duct tape overnight where this season will be the 4th that they have been sailing with me.
And they all stayed in place without reglueing so far. I had to hog out a hole to use my FelSpar tiller minder 'cups' on either side the the cockpit. No big deal.

The other two I just pull out of the cabin and flop down onto the cockpit seats. Quite comfortable indeed! It is nice when one puts there arm over the combing's edge. Although you do need to get up and move one or the other to lift the hatch covers.

To clean these I just spray on a cleaner purchased from the General Dollar Store called Awesome, and wipe with a towel. skip.

[multimedia_smith]

Hi Mike... yes, as some of my friends would attest... I am "out there"...
With regard to the cockpit cushions... I made them from the blue sleeping rolls you can find at Wal Mart.
Double thick contact cemented together and covered with naugahyde... attached to the boat with velcro.
I remember writing a detailed description of the installation for Bob Burgess on the Yahoo ComPac group... you can research it there in the files...
They are really comfortable... especially the height of the seat "backs" when you are pushing on the other side while heeling.
I think the early pics show them before the naugahyde... they were getting beat up as the bedroll material is a bit delicate... they are closed cell though which is good.
Enjoy
Dale

[mikeg]

Thanks Dale and Skip,

I went out for a great sail yesterday (wind 15-20, not a cloud in the sky) and could have used the coaming backs... I was doing some heeling, with feet up on the leeward cockpit locker. Great day.

Mike
s/v Freebird- Compac 19/II

[multimedia_smith]

WHEEEEE!!!
Sounds great!  We're enjoying the last hurrah before the dreaded summer here on Lake Ponchartrain.
I'm heading out today with the 60% jib and a well reefed main... it's gusting in the hight 20s.
Dale

[multimedia_smith]

Follow up to the previous post... went out all afternoon with a friend.  Yes, it was gusting into the high 20s, but we were set up right.  I had the 60% "heavy air" jib, and the main was reefed to 8' showing.  We were never out of control and maintained close to hull speed upwind (against about 3-4' waves) and actually peaked at 8.1 mph while surfing downwind and downwave.
There were a few boats out that day and we outpaced many larger boats that had too much canvas up to sheet in properly.
One big difference I noticed is the responsiveness of the 16.  I was out with my neighbor a few weeks ago in his Cape Dory Typhoon and although stable, it didn't answer to the helm nearly as well.  I was actually able to twich the tiller over quickly enough to veer off of the occasional oversized wave and ride down the back side on less of an angle to avoid pounding down from mid air... and then, just as quickly head up and resume course upwind and upwave.  I've heard that the 23 is like a slow motion 16, but one thing I have to say is that the shorter length is a plus on our very large yet shallow lake because the waves come so close together, it's better to bob over them one at a time rather than straddle a couple and pound your brains out.
We had a great time and stayed out untill sunset... Next week... hopefully Ship Island... a barrier island off the Mississippi sound.

Fair winds (or strong and even if that's what you like) to y'all
Dale

[mikeg]

Dale, you mentioned Ponchartrain.

The in-laws were visiting our place in FL this weekend and we took them sailing on our Compac 19. They're from LaFourche Parish (about 20 miles south of Houma I think), just southwest of New Orleans, and they loved the daysail. My mother in law had never been sailing and doesn't really like being on the water, but she did great with PFD standing by.

We had steady 20mph wind- with gusts probably higher as the day went on (but by this time we were broadreach/running home) so we flew downwind! With three on the windward lazarette and one to lee, we did OK with full sail area. I had to cheat up quite often to keep her on her feet- and only had to ease out the main once when I was near a daymark and couldn't cheat up to put the boat on her feet for hitting the thing. (we were taking great lifts, and very few bad headers that day- really allowed us to work great headway).
The 19 is a fantastic little moderate air boat.

My father in law had only been sailing once before on Lake Salvador, south of
N-O, yet he was great, fast crew during tacks.
Best,
Mike G.

[multimedia_smith]

Hi Mike... Sounds like you had a great outing with the in-laws.  Nothing like it to bring people together.
There are quite a few lakes in South Louisiana... I learned to sail on a Hobie 14 on a lake near Morgan City... Lake Ponchartrain is pretty much free of grass and snags that clog a lot of the others.  It does get pretty lumpy fast though.  Nice that y'all are enjoying yourselves before the summer starts.
Dale