New Bahamas Cruiser

[Frank]

Just got this from Gerry at Compac.
Cooto's to "Sail" magazine (traditionally BIG boat stuff) for this award!!



"FYI


To Everyone:



We are pleased to announce that the CP-23 PILOT HOUSE has won Sail Magazine 2012 Best Boat Accommodations award.



The announcement was just made this date 11-21-2011 and to say the least we are extremely pleased with this acknowledgment of the efforts of the Com-Pac team.



We have attached the Sail Magazine Best Boat Banner in two formats.  Below is a link to Sail Magazine?s website where you may view the write-up and a video.



http://www.sailmagazine.com/best-boats/best-boats-2012-winner-com-pac-cp-23-pilothouse




Thanks for hanging in there with us.





The Com-Pac Yacht Team

[Oldrig]

Yep. I opened my copy of SAIL and there she was.

But I already knew about this cute little cruiser, thanks to  Frank's posting on SailFar!

(Who would have thought that SAIL would actually write about a potential SailFair boat.)

--Joe

[Frank]

quick update.....launched at Indiantown Marina....St Lucie canal, through the lock, out to Manatee Pocket....then outside to West Palm (Lake Worth) ROUGH!!...inside to No Name harbour (S end of Key Biscayne)....on down past Key Largo, anchored at "Jews Creek, then on to Tavernier Key. Folks at Mangrove Marina welcomed us and had a great Christmas. Drove a rental to "Key Wierd" for a tour...checked the forcast....looked good for today, so on back up toJews Creek, then No Name, then Ft Lauderdale. Crossed to day...nice crossing! Currently at "Old Bahama Bay" marina, "West End" Grande Bahama island.   "all good" in 23ft!!

PS...Craig...."Sadie Girl" ..boat name and our golden retriever, is along with us. She's a great traveller!!

[Tim]

Great to hear Frank, Happy New Year and send pics when you can.

[Frank]

Haven't been on n a while. Short version....west end to Great Sale, to Allens-Pensacola, to Manjack, to Green Turtle.....hung out at the cottage on Manjack for several weeks....then to Man of War, to Hope Town, to Marsh Harbour, to Treasure Cay and back to the cottage. Hung out.....left yesterday to Green Turtle, today to Guana (Yep Craig....the "sailfar.net" sticker is still on the painted up backhoe on the walk to Nippers) (picture later)and on down to Hope Town. Just anchored here and havin a rum punch at Harbour's Edge (wifi)    "life is good"    ;-)

[Chattcatdaddy]

Wow Frank!

Sounds like a pretty good life.

Hope to be down the Bahamas way myself in May. Save some rum for me.

[Tim]

Frank, thanks for the quarterly report ;) see my post above  ;D

PICTURES

[Frank]

There is LOTS of CHEAP rum left!!!!  (the beer is expensive)

PICTURES....I know, I know.....prob is I am not on my own computer and can't reduce them to post (tried) till I get home.

OK...a "tease".....sitting here looking at boats swinging on moorings, Hope Town candy striped lighthouse behind, sun working it's way down behind it all and sipping a punch with "Sadie girl" (golden retriever)curled up at my feet. Wishing I could post THIS picture right now!!  ;D

[Tim]

Thanks, I closed my eyes and "got there"! 

[CharlieJ]

Glad to hear you are "out there" again Frank.

I'll get back to the Bahamas again one day.

[Frank]

Quick update. Vicky's folks flew in...we got married in Hopetown !!!!  ;-)
  Spent the week with them touring the island and a mini boat cruise as well. Left HopeTown on the 21st, long day straight to Allans-Pensacola (thank goodness for longer daylight), 22nd to Mangove....another L O N G  day, 23rd to the West End....shorter day...beach and bar time  ;-), crossed to Stuart on the 24th.  Took 14hrs. The worst part were those DANG sport fishing boats buzzing in at the same time as us. It's an aweful entrance anytime. Put the tide running and a ton of speeding boats (that saturday thing...I knew better but the crossing window was good) and it was the most stressful part of the trip!!
Hauling out monday or tuesday....heading home.
Once I'm on my own computer, I'll reduce the pics and post a few. It truly was a GREAT winter, super weather, great cottage time mixed with fun cruising. Best part is the crazy "prairie gal" that had never been on salt water before but followed along  ;-)

[Jim_ME]

Congratulations Frank on getting married!

And for having a great winter there.  :)

Am eager to see the photos.

--Jim

[Frank]

FINALLY both have some time since returning and found a download to reduce picture sizes so I can post. We had a great winter on "Sadie Girl" . I'll start from the beginning.   
Picked here up at Hutchins yard, then trailered to Indiantown to rig, provision and launch. It takes 3 to step the mast but it went well. First "splash" is always exciting. By that evening we were at the St Lucie lock and spent the night there at a campground right beside.

[Frank]

We locked thru early the next day and had a manetee join us. Then on to Manetee Pocket where we tied up for the night at Finz Red Eye (great place, dog friendly, free wifi and cheap drinks)

[Frank]

Next morning was out the cut to the ocean. Simply AWEFUL...slop from the windy day before coupled with shallow water and WAY too many big sport fishermen in/out created a mess at the entrance. Once out, it was a broad reach to West Palm (Lake Worth).  My "able bodied crew" were ever attentive along the way

[Frank]

 We tied up behind Peanut Island at Lake Worth for the night and headed for Ft Lauderdale the next morning. The winds were up and we often surfed at over 7knts (over 8 twice). Fun stuff. Once inside Ft Lauderdale, you are treated to an array of ships and mega yachts. We went to Baha Mar marina.....smallest boat there   ;D

[Frank]

The marina does not have a "minimum" ft rate, so was reasonable as it was only steps to the beach. Water taxis take you around all day with commentary. Seemed odd seeing winter scenes along the tour. We spent an extra day enjoyng the sites before heading S to Biscayne Bay through Miami on the ICW

[Frank]

I generally avoid the ICW if possible, but on this week day, traffic was minimal and it was neat to see Miami from inside water.

[Frank]

After spending the night at No Name harbour (S end of Key Biscayne) we crossed the bay and anchored at Jews Creek Bridge. I remember back when it was a lift bridge....now it has 60 odd ft clearance. The lil bar was friendly and the view was great. It had been a few years since I was in the Keys. Lots changed...lots the same.

[Frank]

On down to Mangrove marina for Christmas (lots of dolphins this cruise)  I had stayed there years back and it is a cruiser friendly place (still). We were welcomed to the gift exchange (joke gifts) and had a great time. Friendly folks! We rented a car to tour further south...seemed odd to walk beachs on Cristmas day.