Conference unifix::sailing

    Don't know about the Capri or the Sunbird, but the Javelin is quite
    heavy and not very comfortable (in my opinion) - makes
    loading/unloading or moving the boat/trailer around the yard more difficult.
    
    Have had good luck with a Mistral 16 and a Holder 14, both reasonably
    lightweight and comfortable, good speed (planing), lots of flotation
    and effective self bailing, etc.
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    Gary    DTN 289-1519
    

    Might also want to check out Compac.  Seems to be a lot of boat for
    such a small package.  I noticed there are some Compac owners in here. 
    Perhaps check with some of them about their impressions.
    
    ... Bob
    

Where will you be sailing? My recommendations may vary based on this. I might
suggest you look at the Rhodes 19 is you are going to be in coastal waters
most of the time, or at the Day Sailer I or Flying Scot if you will be on
lakes or protected bays. These are larger than the other boats on your list
and if weight for towing is a consideration, I might also suggest you look at
the Mistral 16. 

- Bob

    Thanks for the input.  We will be sailing primarily in the greater
    Worcester area with the hopes of doing a little sailing in Cape
    Cod Bay next summer.  Our issue is less with towing weight than
    with overall maneuverability/ease of setup since we will be
    trailering no matter WHERE we go - even if it's across town 
    to Lake Waushacum (Sterling).  Which brings up another point -
    many of the lakes in this area are quite small and I think might
    be dwarfed by a 19 foot-er.  Although, in the case that larger
    size = more stability, it's tempting, since it's probably going
    to be no picnic getting our 3 year old to see this as "fun". 
    
    We are also interested in any accessories/tricks of the trade that
    would make setup/takedown faster and easier, i.e. use of "tabernacles",
    etc.
    
    Thanks
    
    Betsey

    Also, if anyone has any advice/hints on sailing with a very
    young child, I'd appreciate it.

    Betsy, the latest Small Boat Journal has a review of several "pocket"
    cruisers, all in the 18 ft. range. 
    
    My wife and I have a Compac 19 on Lake Champlain and like it very
    much. You may want to take a look at the Compac 16 which should be
    a lot easier to trail and set up than the 19. We keep ours moored;
    trailering would *not* be a pleasure.
    
    Happy looking!
    
    				Joe

    As another Com-Pac 19 owner (who used to own a Com-Pac 16), I would
    recommend a good look at the Com-Pac 16. It is a great family boat.
    Some Specs:
    LOA 16'	Beam 6'	 Draft 18"	Disp. 1100	Ballast 450
    Sail Area 115.
    
    It is easy to trailer (especailly compared to my 19). No tricks
    are necessary for raising the mast - one person can do it
    singlehandedly,with two it is a snap. It is in a tabernacle on top
    of the deck. The reason we moved up to the 19 was so that our family
    of 4 could overnight. I recommend the book cruising on a micro-budget
    (its a large format paperback). The ads which I have seen this year
    for used Com-Pacs have been in the $3000-4500 range, the range being
    very consistent with age and options. $4500 should get you an almost
    new one, with motor, trailer. They changed the design (in '85
    I think) to the Mark-II model - same hull, but trim extras and a
    pulpit.
    
    Bill
    

    Another happy (former) COM-PAC owner.
    
    I started sailing with a used COM-PAC 16. I trailer-sailed with it
    for one season, in the same area as the base note.  The boat is
    very easy to rig after trailering, if I remember correctly we'd
    have the boat in the water within twenty minutes or so of arrival
    at the water.  The 18 inch fixed draft makes the boat incredibly
    easy to launch and retreive.  The boat is very stable and since
    it doesn't have a huge amount of sail, not very tippy.  The cockpit
    on the 16 was bigger than the cockpit on either my Freedom 21 or
    my C + C 29, which is good, since even with the cuddy cabin, the
    COM-PAC 16 is essentially a day sailer.   I towed it with a compact
    American car with a V6 with no problems.  
    
    As for books about trailer sailing, I know of one with a title
    something like, "A handbook of Trailer sailing."  If you want more
    info, I'll get the correct title and author for you.
    
    djc
     

    Just found an earlier note re: sailing with children.  Many people
    mentioned the use of a "harness".  If that's what I think it is,
    it is advisable to use this is a small boat?  If the child is tethered
    to the boat, and it "turns turtle", doesn't sound great to me. 
    Am I missing something intuitively obvious here?  Like, how closely
    tethered is the child?

>    Am I missing something intuitively obvious here?  Like, how closely
>    tethered is the child?

Harnesses are intended for use on boats that are not likely to capsize, and
that are self-righting after capsize. In a small boat (where it is much
easier to recover a person in the water) a good personal flotation device
(lifejacket) is the right thing to use.

--RS

    Makes sense to me.  Thanks.
    

    I own a Capri 14.2 and sail it mostly in Sterling on lake 
    Waushacum. Its a fairly light boat compared to some of the others
    mentioned here so it is also fairly tippy. Use of your body weight
    is ultra important in keeping sail up centerboard down in any sort
    of breeze. 
    It is a very fun boat however and easy to set up. I am in the water
    and sailing within 15 minutes of arrival. A retractable center board
    is almost required in Waushacum since the lake is quite shallow
    for quite a ways near the launch area.
    If you would like to take a sail some day/evening, send me some
    mail. A test sail is worth a thousand notes!
    
    Paul

    
    Last year I bought a C & L 16. Very simular to the Mistreal 16.
    
    Easy to trailer, set up and sail. Very stable and great for kids.
    Seats 6 but 4 comfortably.
    
    Specs:
    
          LOA 16'
          LWL 14'10"
          Beam 6'1"
          Draft 3'10"
          Weight 365#
          Mainsail 95 sq. ft.
          Jib 46 sq. ft.
    
    If your interested in more info or where to buy, get in touch with
    me.
    
    

    I sail with two small children on board and find that the most
    important feature to have is a cabin where they can play out of the
    sun and elements.  Children,  at least mine loose interrest in sailing
    soon after leaving the shore.  Having an area where they can safely
    play, out of harms way is reasuring and makes sailing more enjoyable
    for the adults.  I have a laguna 22 trailerable sailboat and consider
    it adequate for safe sailing in protected waters.  Howerver I would
    also reccomend the compac 19 as a wise choice.
    
    Lee

Hi,

We currently own a Compac 16 (and also a three-year-old boy!) and have
found the two to be quite compatible.

We've been very happy with the boat - also bought it because we wanted to 
do some trailer sailing and explore some areas away from home.  The two
trips to Maine were fantastic!

Of course there is always a compromise.  In the case of the Compac 16 you 
get stability, an enclosed cabin with a head, self-bailing cockpit, shoal
draft, etc. at the expense of speed, pointing ability, and excitement.  But 
there aren't many 16 foot boats that I would have taken our baby out with
us since age one!

I'd be happy to answer questions or take you out for a spin.

larry 


           <<< MSCSSE::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]SAILING.NOTE;1 >>>
                                  -< Sailing >-
================================================================================
Note 744.4                COMPAC 27 experience request                    4 of 4
TLE::PEARL "Larry Pearl (TLE::PEARL) DTN: 381-2254"  31 lines  18-FEB-1988 12:54
                       -< Compac 16 behind a Corolla... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	
The Compac 16 at 1100 lbs + trailer + motor + misc baggage is quite
trailerable with all but the smallest compact cars.  We made a
trip to Mt. Desert Island Maine a few summers ago with a '77 Toyota
wagon with 1.6 ltr engine.  Although technically overloaded and
certainly not very safe in a panic stop it can be done without too
much trouble.  Just be careful and plan to go very slowly.....up
some of the longer hills. 

This past summer, with a somewhat newer '82 Corolla wagon with a 1.8
ltr engine we made the trip (with extra gear because of a baby) up
to Boothbay with no trouble whatsoever.

Smaller cars such as the Honda Civic or Ford Escort are probably
not recommened.  The wagon may also help since it probably has a
suspension designed for larger loads than the sedans.

One of our reasons for choosing this boat was its trailerability
and we've had a blast taking it with us.  

Its also an extremely comfortable and safe boat and can handle
most of the conditions in the bays of Maine.

P.S One tip - as with any trailering the balance of the boat (and
gear) on the trailer is extremely important for stability.  Although
it was set up correctly balanced from the factory trailering with
the motor on the back threw the balance off enough to make the
it unstable.  So put the motor in the car or store forward in the
hull.

larry