Need Advice

[Phil]

Guys I bought this boat. It's a long story, and I'm really frustrated with this computer thing, so I will condense. A lot. If I don't get it this time, I quit. (I think I need a Drink.) In fact I think I'll have one. Ahh That's better.

I got a lightly used ComPac23 Pilothouse from a CP dealer/broker in Punta Gorda FL. I made what I thought was a very frivolous offer, (I fully expected the owner to tell me to get lost), But to everyones surprise, he accepted.  So I got this boat here on the mountain and I want to get it in the water, see if everything (or anything) works and get a little experience before winter sets in. I'm having a little trouble finding a marina that wants to deal with me.

Questions:  Is it feasible for me to raise the mast myself using THe ComPac supplied gin pole, tackle and cockpit winch, or should I hire help?  And where can I find an experienced sailor or Captain I can hire to day sail with me for a few days. Oh, about raising the mast. I'm 63, 5'6" tall, 135lbs., 20 of 'em are fat. I'm outta shape kinda weak, had surgery in August. I'm fine now, thanks, just ain't as strong as I useta be. I'd kinda like to have a travel lift to launch the boat.  Don't really want to back my rig into the water.  Especially salt water.
 
OK, I made it this far without everything I wrote Going Away somewhere so I'm a-gonna hit Post and see what happens. Huh, maybe next time I should have a Drink BEFORE I try to use this thing.

Phil

[Captain Smollett]

Guys I bought this boat.

Cool!  I love a post that starts like this.

It's a long story, and I'm really frustrated with this computer thing, so I will condense. A lot. If I don't get it this time, I quit. (I think I need a Drink.) In fact I think I'll have one. Ahh That's better.

Whatever it takes, brother.

I got a lightly used ComPac23 Pilothouse from a CP dealer/broker in Punta Gorda FL.

Cool boat, man.  I dig the small-ish ComPacs. 

CapnK is far more qualified to chime in with more useful specifics on that boat.

I'm having a little trouble finding a marina that wants to deal with me.

In what way?  In launching?

Since you mention below wanting a lift to launch, you might need a boatyard, not a marina, to help with that.

Where are you located?  Or, more to the point, where are you wanting to launch?

Questions:  Is it feasible for me to raise the mast myself using THe ComPac supplied gin pole, tackle and cockpit winch, or should I hire help?

There are many ways/tools to help raising and lowering a mast.  Again, CapnK can provide more specific detail for THAT boat, but people raise/lower masts on far bigger boats than that all the time.

Most methods involve some variation of the tried and true A-Frame, so you may need to construct something like that to get the mast up.

That said, any boatyard worth doing business with should be able to raise that mast for you (for a fee) using a crane or whatever they have.  For example, the boatyard my boat currently resides in charges $75 to put a mast up/down, and that's even on much bigger boats than yours.

  And where can I find an experienced sailor or Captain I can hire to day sail with me for a few days.

Sites like this one are a very good start.  So, where are you located (if you've said in the past and I've missed it, I do apologize).  For example, if you are in my AO, I'd go out for a sail or two, and I've taken many people for their first sail; some of them were on their own boat.

Oh, about raising the mast. I'm 63, 5'6" tall, 135lbs., 20 of 'em are fat. I'm outta shape kinda weak, had surgery in August. I'm fine now, thanks, just ain't as strong as I useta be.

Glad to hear you are doing better.

I'd kinda like to have a travel lift to launch the boat.  Don't really want to back my rig into the water.  Especially salt water.

Some thoughts:

(1) You can use a tongue extension on a trailer so you don't put your tow vehicle in the water.  Lots of full keel boats launch this way (isn't the CP23 shoal draft?).  A tongue extension MIGHT be cheaper than a travel lift launch, depending on where.

(2) Shop around for boatyards in your AO with a suitable lift.  If you've talked to marinas, I'm surprised none have mentioned a yard to you.

 
I should have a Drink BEFORE I try to use this thing.

Do what ya gotta, man.   ;D

[CharlieJ]

First=- welcome aboard-

second, some of your questions could be more easiliy answered if we knew where you were

[Phil]

Well Shucks.  I stayed up til after midnight last night writing a rather lengthy explanation and I see it didn't show up.  I have never participated in this kind of thing before so please bear with me as I try to figure it out.  I signed up here over the summer (see the post titled Howdy) but haven't participated much. Things have been "happening"  and trying to learn to use this has been time consuming. Not to mention a bit frustrating. Ain't no young folks here to 'splain it to me.

I will try again.  I live in the northwest corner of Virginia, 25 miles southwest of Winchester, 110 miles from Babylon on the Potomac, "Scuse me, I mean Washington DC. About 3 hours from Annapolis (expensive) depending on traffic. I talked to a marina/boatyard/ASA school in Deltaville Va. Actually two places there. Both say they are booked up thru the end of the season(Nov).Deltaville is 200 miles from here. About halfway between Baltimore and Norfolk. The prices there seem to be more reasonable.

OK, I'm trying to learn this thing. I'm going to post this and see if it shows up. More to follow.

Phil

[Phil]

Yayy!  I think it worked this time.  I'm typing on a tablet, which is tethered to my cell phone, which I hope is accessing the internet. Now, I learned to type 50 years ago on an old Remington Noiseless from the 1920's. This keyboard is all wrong to me. Given a little time I hope to sort it out. When I try to use the shift Key (wrong place) I'm hittin' Enter or something else and weird things happen. The darn curser (apt name) is never where I think it oughta be. I didn't have this much trouble with the computers at work.

The draft of this boat is listed as 2'3". I'd rather use a travel lift to launch at this point. I would consider launching from the trailer at a suitable ramp in fresh water but without a tongue extension I'm nervous about backing my truck into the water. I really don't want to put it in salt water.This rig needs to last me awhile. The truck is 4 wheel drive. 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 short wheelbase. "Yeah, It's a Hemi". 

I need advice on raising the mast. I'd like to try it here at home to make sure I have all the necessary parts. The boat has what ComPac calls a MasTender system I think. Looks like a 2 piece gin pole, some tackle and line. The masthead is 30 feet above the waterline, I'm guessing the mast itself at about 25 or 26 feet.Anyone know if this can be done singlehanded? Help is hard to come by out here in the wilderness.
 
I've been thinking I'd like to find (or hire) someone to sail with me for a day or two. I have sailed before (Morgan 28) but very little and no formal instruction. I can usually handle a boat under power. My older brother (now deceased) had several powerboats on the Chesapeake. Last one as I recall was a Grady White 26 or 28, I forget. Biggest one was a wooden 42 somethin' or other. Been a while. He'd take me out on the bay, and I'd take him flying. Those were shining times.  Lotta fun.

I appreciate any advice Y'all might have to offer.

Phil

[CharlieJ]

upper right on this page is a block which says "search" Enter "mast raising methods" and you'll find quite a few different ways listed  from previous times

[Phil]

Thanks Carlie I'll give it a look.

Also thanks to Captain Smollet for the quick response to my first post .Sorry my initial reply got lost in the ether.

I'm going to quit now for tonight. It just happened again. I type and type and it seems to be going well but I try to hit SHIFT and everything disappears. Right now I'm blaming this tablet The ENTER key is where my brain thinks SHIFT should be. But I'm not sure. And the !@#$% cursor is never where I think it should be.ARGGHHH!

[Norman]

Phil, you must be around Rockbridge County.  Not far from an old friend of mine near Moorefield WV.

Have you considered launching in the Potomac River, down some from DC, where it is wider?  If so, I might be able to meet you and see if we can raise the mast together, and try out her performance in the river.  The river is not salty up that far.  I currently have a Mcgregor 22, converted to the pilot house configuration.  Is your hitch a 2 inch or 1 7/8?  Receiver or fixed?  I have a 1 7/8 with a small drop, which decreases how far you need to back into the water to launch, and it fits a standard receiver socket.

What do you fly?  I flew mostly Cessna 172, from a plain, no letters, to 172M.  Medical not current, but not failed.

At the top of the screen, there is a Messages choice.  Click on that, and check for messages, I will send my email, so we can visit direct, and see if we can work out some sailing in the Compac 23PH.  I have sailed other Compac's, but not the PH.  Compac makes good boats.

Norman

[CharlieJ]

try CTRL Z  often that brings back lost typing

[CapnK]

Hi Phil! I'll post you some detailed thoughts later tonight or - more likely :D - tomorrow. In short and regarding this at least; you can hoist that mast yourself, just go slow and pick a non-windy day your first time so if/you can hit snags, it is without much in the way of consequences. :) I did it without the MastEnder system you have, so that should make it even more manageable.

They are kindly boats and won't let you get in too much trouble on the water. The flatter you can sail when pointing, the better - the stub keel loses efficiency when heeled. If you don't have a foiled rudder, budget for it - they do make that much of a difference.

I have seen guys who put a 3rd, front wheel on the trailer and winched it down/up the ramp instead of actually backing their vehicles into the water - Google might turn up some resources on that.

More later. Except for this: get used to getting complimented on the boat - people *love* the CP's, there is something about the way they look that even non-sailors appreciate. Glad you got a good deal. :)

[Phil]

Thanks, Cap'n K. Hey, aren't you in North Carolina? Y'all been gettin' some WEATHER down there. I hope you and the dogs (right?) are ok. I spoke at length with Norman this afternoon. Great guy, Norman is. He made the same suggestion about the third wheel. Just so happens my trailer already has that wheel. As an old truck driver, that was a real smack my forehead moment. Why the heck didn't I think of that! I think I have been suffering a serious case of novice jitters. She IS a pretty little boat and I didn't want to do anything to hurt her out of ignorance. I got some valuable advice from Norman and the folks here. I think I made an excellent choice for my first foray into whaddaya callit social media? Anyway I am grateful.

I hope to get together with Norman for a little sail on the Potomac. Be kinda like a sea trial, make sure everything works like it should.

A word or two about what brought me here. I started searching for a cruising boat last summer. The usual stuff 30-35 feet, able to singlehand, and a pilothouse.I was looking hard at the Nauticats and Fishers, trying to figure how I could afford to actually keep one. I was probably, no, almost certainly going to have to sell my house. Then one day I stumbled on this website called Sailfar and started reading stories. I read about Norman cruising the Potomac (great writing!) and late night musings. I read about svFaith's adventures in The Bahamas and elsewhere. And I said HMMM. Then I read about a gent named Frank who took an unusual little boat to The Bahamas and then the San Juans. And I said HHHHMMMM. Trailerable, place to sleep, place to eat, place to, well y'all get the picture. And an inside helm!

All of Y'all have been a real inspiration to me. I feel like I'm very close to making this happen now with the help of the folks here. And I think I can keep my home! Little cabin on a mountain and a neat capable little boat on the water. Does it get any better?  Well, maybe one of those purty island gals? Yeah, dreamin' again.

Again, many thanks.

Phil

[Frank]

CONGRATS Phil !!
I love that boat!
The pilot house 23 is an awesome little cruiser.
Great "old fart's" boat 😄
I've probably both sailed and trailered one farther than most and can say it's a fine vessel!
Yanmar or  Westerbeke?


PS...Capt S and K.....did I get it right this time? 🤣

[Phil]

Thanks, Frank.  I didn't know such a boat existed til I read your story about your trip to The Bahamas On this forum about this time last year. So you get the credit for giving me the idea. The engine is a Westerbeke 12D Two, 12 horsepower. If I'm reading the HIN number right the boat is hull number 2, built in 2013.She was shipped to a dealer in Michigan where she sat 'til November last year.

I haven't even got her in the water yet, but I've trailered her about 1200 miles so far. This boat probably has close to 5000 miles on her all of it on the trailer. Shoot, I had to replace all the wheel bearings soon as I got home. Did you have the Magic Tilt trailer? How did it hold up for you? Seems to me this trailer is loaded right to its listed max capacity.

Norman, if you happen to check in here, I opened the drain on the Racor filter and got some of the cleanest, purtiest Diesel fuel I've ever seen! Not so much as a hint of water. Didn't even try to raise the mast yet. Still blowin' 15-20 mph here all day.

[Captain Smollett]

More later. Except for this: get used to getting complimented on the boat - people *love* the CP's, there is something about the way they look that even non-sailors appreciate.

That's a fact.  Those CP boats are very "shippy," and the 23 is a sweet spot in the stable.  Though I must say, I really dig the old CP19 a lot as well.

[Norman]

Getting together with you was a pleasure.  Hopefully, we can get together again soon, and see if we can get her wet.  The weather should improve in the next week.  Glad the diesel is pure, that can be a special kind of misery if it is not.

It is really nice to have the manuals for everything in the boat, even if some are rather generic, such as the Westerbeke.  Plenty of detail, but 5 different transmission options?  If you have not yet looked for the model number, the camera on your phone is the way to go, stick it down there instead of your head.  My son taught me that one.

Norman

[Steve Bean]

Try youtube; there are several articles on mast raising. Actually there are several, or many , articles on almost anything you can think of.

[Frank]

I actually had good luck with the trailer although the purchaser ended up replacing bearings by memory after a few hundred miles.
I ramp launched and retrieved. A steep ramp works well.
Took 3 to raise the mast. The pilot house creates a wierd spot while walking up the mast...that's where the third person was handy.
One pulling the job halyard
One walking it up
A second on deck to take it once out of reach for the cockpit guy
Good luck
Have fun

PS..the lil Westerbeke ran extremely well for me!
Access to change the impeller is very tight tho
That said, I never did change it, nor the second owner.

[Phil]

Thanks Frank, That's all good to know. Say, do you know where the zinc for the heat exchanger for the engine is located? I raised the lid on the port cockpit seat to get at the Racor fuel filter and I think I see the back end of the heat exchanger right down on the hull. Looks like there is something threaded  (I think)  into the back of it at the bottom. It doesn't have a hex head, more like a knurled knob. Could that be the zinc? Already had two nights in the upper 30's here in the mountains. I may have to winterize this boat before I can get it in the water. Looking for a way to drain that heat exchanger.

I have the ComPac mast raising system: gin pole, stabilizing line on each side (think A frame), tackle and a long line to crank using winch. I'm going to (gulp) try raising it tomorrow by myself. If it looks shaky or iffy I'll quit.

Untangling that line and tackle took most of the afternoon. 'Fraid I said some Words.

Hey Norm, I'm thinkin' I'll try using the winch on deck. I got plenty of line, and tackle to give me some power. That way, if something gets caught on something I'll be able to see it before things start getting bent, and I can reach over and unhook it without scrambling up and down a ladder. Whaddaya think?

[CapnK]

That way, if something gets caught on something... <snip>

Phil - "That way, WHEN something gets caught on something right when I don't want it to..." - fixed that for you. ;) ;D

[Frank]

Hope your mast raising goes well!
The zinc, by memory, is hex head and on the rear of the heat exchanger. I'm thinking near the top, but again....by failing memory.
I do remember the impeller was kind of behind the oil filter....the filter had to be off to change it.
Enjoy your day!