Downsizing

[Hawk4661]

I'm thinking I need to downsize and welcome others views. I am thinking about trade or purchase a Com Pac 16 or 17. I want to do some other inland or Gulf of Mexico sailing. My brother, and son, live near Pensacola Fl.
I want shoal ballast,roller furl er (which I don't have now) .... maybe a Cat boat.....?
I presently sail inland lakes (Beaver Lake in Rodgers Arkansas, and Table Rock Lake in Branson Mo.) with three years experience. I am not really interested in racing..., unless I see another sail boat.
Generally just use the main sail, as I single hand, most of the time.
DOB 1941.....lol.

 

[Bill1565]

I'm thinking I need to downsize and welcome others views. I am thinking about trade or purchase a Com Pac 16 or 17. I want to do some other inland or Gulf of Mexico sailing. My brother, and son, live near Pensacola Fl.
I want shoal ballast,roller furl er (which I don't have now) .... maybe a Cat boat.....?
I presently sail inland lakes (Beaver Lake in Rodgers Arkansas, and Table Rock Lake in Branson Mo.) with three years experience. I am not really interested in racing..., unless I see another sail boat.
Generally just use the main sail, as I single hand, most of the time.
DOB 1941.....lol.

Not sure what shoal ballast is, but it would be cheaper to add R/F to your 23 than buy a new boat.

 

[Ed Schenck]

If your plan is to be trailering back and forth to the Gulf coast then the 23.5 is a lot of boat. But it is probably no heavier than a Com-Pac. And your boat, being a swing keel I think, rides very low. You would be giving up living space for less draft and, in case of a cat rig, gain easier rigging and sailing. You would also be giving up any inclination to race.

 

[Kermit]

I know this isn't answering your question, but if you do decide to add a roller furler, you will find using the head sail while single-handing a million times easier. Nothing to it, really. We love having a RF and can't imagine having a head sail without one.

Kermit

 

[Benny17441]

I can understand that when you turn 71 it is not so easy or perhaps dangerous to go up to the bow to lower a hanked on headsail. Adding a roller furler to your current boat would be a lot cheaper than trading boats. Com-Pac s are worthy boats with a short fixed keel/ center board combo but 16' is a bit small for the Gulf of Mexico. Your 23' water ballasted boat probably trailers just as good as the Com Pac would and woulld be easier to launch. When overnighting or just laying at anchor you will appreciate the bigger size.

 

[peptobysmol]

Or... you could rig a downhaul on your hank on. No need to add anything complex, just a couple of stanchion pad eyes and a couple of turning blocks. Makes headsail lowering a snap! I've also seen a configuration that more or less "cinches up" the headsail without lowering it using basically the same configuration and lowers the headsail when you release the halyard. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[inarathree]

Build a pvc furler. It only costs about $50.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=124373

 

[BrianW]

Mark, you already have a great boat for sailing the many bays of the Pensacola area... and the occasional pass-to-pass day sail in the Gulf. Get yourself an RF for your H23.5 and bring it on down! BrianW

 

[SchwarckT]

I think a second boat would be a good idea. Its much easier to trailer/rig a smaller boat than a larger one. I have three boats and use the smallest one the most.

 

[Hawk4661]

Thank you ....would it be easier to purchase a good used RF in your area craiglist....thank you again mark<><

 

[Clark]

Mark,
For trailering, simplicity and costs it is hard to beat the CDI. A new FF2 w/ bearings is $500. You would need to add the costs of conversion of your hanked sail or a new sail with UV cover.