Compac Cruising and Camping

[Seadub]

Final preparations just about complete. Day trips on Lake Murray have been a blast, the addition of a Cocoon skeeter net draped over the bimini gives us plenty of room above and below deck. Pair of 12 volt fans fore and aft move air nicely, Coleman stove and cooler stow away easily. We've nicknamed her "Little Big Boat".

[DaleM]

Very nice transition!  That should keep the skeeters out of range! 

[Seadub]

Thanks, Dale.  Once we drop the hook, keeping the skeeters out of range is a priority around here!

[kickingbug1]

   very sweet set up indeed. i did notice that your trailer has no fenders and has 12 " wheels. when i changed over to 12 inchers all i had to do was drill two new holes in the fender brackets to move them up. it might be just me but i wouldnt trailer her without fenders (pretty hard on the hull and it might be illegal as well ). again a fine anti-skeeter idea

[mikew]

Looks good, I enjoy overnights on my '83 Cp-16 as well. I can't see in your picture but if you have that 3"cowl  vent on the foredeck add a piece of screening to that too. You would be surprised how those buggers will find an opening like that.
Mike

[Seadub]

Good eye on the trailer...and the lack of fenders. The trailer is another priority and the reminder to address the missing fenders is appreciated. We trailer a short distance, so I've relegated it's upgrades to a lower rank on the list, but the dang thing needs attention. Good point about it being hard on the hull. Hadn't thought of that Nd it makes sense. Mike, the PO removed the cowl vent, covered the hole with plexiglass and installed a hatch. You can see it in the pic. It really helps with ventilation and has enough lip that we can leave it cracked open in rain. Tho, the forward bulkhead fan cools us better in that case.  We're used to camping in the converted bed/cap setup of my Tacoma (off-topic but check out the Bajataco website to see how he did it  - I copied his design), so the 16 feels like a luxury suite. Wellll...I say that with the disclaimer that we haven't actually overnighted on it yet. Will post when we do. I sold an O'Day 31 when I moved inland, and this ain't that, but I have no doubt we'll be plenty comfortable. And I've already saiiled our 16 more than I sailed the 31...it's just so easy to rig it and go!

[Seadub]

The Cozy Compac Camper is ready for her shakedown cruise this weekend. The admiral and I are gonna launch Saturday morning, return Sunday afternoon. Took some effort to clean the faded, mildewed Compac storage bags that came with the boat, but we love 'em and they're a great addition to the cabin. Along with the gear hammock and footwell storage bins, we should have ample storage compartments.

[DaleM]

Another great idea with the folding chairs.  Well, we will expect a trip journal with pics!  Have a great sail and take no prisoners.

[Duckie]

I notice that you have a car battery in a case up forward just like my setup.  I am considering replacing that with one of those jump starter, compressor, inverter, trouble light portable units.  I have not used the electrical system enough to warrant such a large source dedicated to only lighting.  Also, wrestling that heavy thing in and out of the forward compartment is almost not worth the effort.  The jump starter has a handle on it and weighs a good bit less than the car battery, so removing it would be much easier.  Further, if it is easier to take out, it would be a simple matter to take it home and recharge it if it gets heavy use. 

My weekender goes on multi day cruises as well as acts as a RV, and the only lighting in it uses AA batteries: roughly one set a year.  I suppose if someone is using depth finders and water pumps plus electronic gadgets non-stop, then a larger source of juice would be necessary. 

I haven't tried it yet, but I expect that for the convenience and versatility, it should be the way to go, at least on a 16.

Al

[Seadub]

Will do, Dale! Looks like a clear, breezy weekend ahead. Al, that's a deep cycle battery in a Minn Kota Power Center. I like the Power Center because it has a couple of 12v sockets, a 60 A fuse and battery tester. I have a big setup because the motor is a 55# thrust trolling motor. The battery is a beast, so I bring the charger to the battery and it stays aboad. The extension cord is short and it sure saves my back. I have a 100 watt HQST flexible solar panel on the way, should deliver about 5 amps per hour in sunny conditions. The panel only weighs about 4.5 lbs so it can rest on the bimini or attach to the stern rails. Ordered a solar controller for dual batteries so I can run the lights and fans on a smaller house battery if needed. I'm gonna take a spare truck battery this weekend (my wife won't need it...) just to make sure we get home, but there should be plenty of wind so we won't need much motor.

[Duckie]

Ah, I see.  That makes sense.  I didn't notice that you use a trolling motor. 

Al

[Seadub]

I was just looking at the jump starter you mentioned, Al. Looks like a great option if you don't have to feed a trolling motor, and possibly as a backup in my case. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Citroen/Dave]

Keep those battery terminals clean and tight.  My boats previous owner just missed having a fire on board based on the melted condition of the insulation at a wing nut connection.

[Seadub]

Great first overnighter! Hunkered down in a cove, while the wind gusted to 25 knots. Herons, ospey, bald eagle, great food, great voew. Swung all night but never dragged and sailed all day today. Need new sails with main cut to accommodate the bimini, foiled rudder and a gas motor. Powering into a 20 mph headwind to leave the dock is possible with 55#s of thrust, barely, but it demolishes the battery.

[Seadub]

We packed enough to feed a small army, but didn't want for a thing. Amazingly, all this gear was easy to stow and we had plenty of room to eat and sleep. These little boats are remarkable.