Compac 16 as First Boat ?

[Ahnlaashock]

I am looking at a Compac 16 for a decent price.
Opinions as a first learner boat?
Thanks in advance.

[SailFastTri]

Pro

1. Cute boat
2. Cabin lets you stow gear or do an overnight "boat camping"
3. Easy to trailer simple rig to set up
4. affordable
5. Not too tippy or high-performance so easily for a novice to handle.

Con

1. unless you're a teen you're not likely to camp in that cabin.
2. The cabin takes away cockpit and foredeck space that is more important in a boat that size
3. Very low performance -- will be a real dog in light air
4. Does not point well. If home is to windward you will need to motor.

IMHO you'd do MUCH better in any number of better sailing boats that are designed as day sailors with open cockpits and either open bow or cuddy spaces in the bow -- not "pocket cruisers" with cabins. For higher performance look at centerboard boats or for more comfortable and controlled sailing look for a keel. A few great sailing (keel) boats of that era that come to mind are Mercury 15, O-Day 19 / Rhodes 19. With a weighted centerboard -- if you really want a "pocket cruiser" with cabin look at the West Wight Potter 19. (I used to own a West Wight Potter 15 and it was too slow, and too small to have a cabin.) If you want higher performance look at the 420, as an example.

[bobmor99]

After many years of windsurfing, I wanted to get into "gentleman sailing" and bought a Compac-16 to sail on Biscayne Bay in South Florida. I thought it was a great first boat. True, it didn't point well, but I didn't consider that to be very important. I just wanted to spend a day on the water and stay dry.
I moved on to a Pearson-26 a few years later. By then, I was able to appreciate the Pearson's nicer sailing characteristics. I'm now trying to master an old C&C-33. It's a fun process.

Bob Moriarty
Ox '76 C&C-33
Jax, FL

[ms100]

Interesting article on sailing a small boat to the Bahamas:
Sailing a Com-Pac 16 Sailboat to the Bahamas Single-handed

[Ahnlaashock]

What part of the design causes the boat to go to weather poorly?

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Ahnlaashock

What part of the design causes the boat to go to weather poorly?

That stubby little keel, for starters. It was designed to facilitate trailering, not sailing. Compare the underwater lines of the Compac 16 with something like a Santana 22, and you'll see a world of difference.

[BlueWaterMD]

Personally think it would make a great little starter boat. I have had a compac 23 for about 2 years now, and it has been a good boat. As others have said, compacs are not known for their performance. They are easy to learn on and very stable for their size.

[s/v Beth]

I think a number of things can be done to improve the "sluggish preformance to windward" I have a 23 and go everywhere on in (inshore). Never had a problem going to windward if I used the boat correctly- but that took me a while to learn.
Now it is no dingy- it sails and is a micro cruiser. But it will go into waves more than I will.
BTW- come over to the Compac Owners Forum...we have a few for sail now and again.