First impressions Although the Com-Pac 23 is a very practical boat, its wide appeal comes from its traditional appearance. The sheerline sweeps aft from the short bowsprit before bending up again just before the transom-hung rudder. The box cabintrunk, with round or oval bronze ports, flows naturally into the deck lines. From a distance the boat looks bigger than 23 feet. There is a shallow forefoot and a long, shoal keel with a draft of just 2 feet, 3 inches. Any more draft would make it difficult to launch on many ramps. Although trailerability is a nice feature, most 23 owners keep the boat in the water all season. The aluminum rudder has a kick-up blade. Displacement is 3,000 pounds, of which 1,340 is ballast, accounting for the 23's stiffness. The mast stands 30 feet off the water.
Construction Com-Pac farms out the molding of the 23's solid fiberglass hull and balsa-cored deck. The hull includes longitudinal stringers that encapsulate the bulkheads and stiffen the panels. The crew at Com-Pac builds the interior and finishes the boat. Surprisingly, the interior components are handmade, including plywood bulkheads and surfaces with teak veneers. The interior is not a symphony of stark molded components and the teak-and-holly sole is a very nice touch for a small boat. The workmanship is first rate, much better in fact than most small boat manufacturers. Com-Pac uses good quality materials throughout, and the company's construction philosophy has always been to build small boats like they were just short big boats.
What to look for The condition of all used boats is directly related to the care they receive. However, this seems to be more relevant with trailerable boats. For some reason these boats can be forgotten and languish on their trailers for years. If they are well sealed, they may be moldy, but otherwise are lightly used gems that just require a good cleaning and represent a solid value. On the other hand, if the boats have been leaking while shut up, you may push open the hatch to find rotting plywood and cabin soles among other problems. There are plenty of 23s on the market, and prospective owners can take the time to find a 23 that has been well cared for. There were several changes with different models and you should be aware of the differences. The first changes occurred with the model 23/2, which took place in the mid-1980s. This is when the popular hide-away galley was added, the interior finishing was upgraded and the bowsprit was added for much needed additional sail area. In the early 1990s, the 23/3 was offered and this model change included mostly small tooling upgrades. Small round portlights were changed to larger, oval ones for example. One model to look for is the rare 23 D, which includes a 10-horsepower single cylinder Yanmar diesel. According to Gerry Hutchins, only about 35 of these boats were built and they are quite desirable on the used market. On deck The cockpit is the best design feature on the boat. It is long, more than seven feet, and surprisingly comfortable. Many pocket cruiser designs sacrifice cockpit space to increase the size of the cabin but unless you are sailing offshore, and few pocket cruisers are capable of that, it is a mistake. The cockpit is control central, this is where you spend your time in most small boats. The 23's self-bailing cockpit includes two lockers and a bridgedeck. The original tiller was laminate mahogany and ash and there is good leg support when steering. Although the triangular mainsheet arrangement crowds the helmsman and isn't very efficient, a traveler would be more of an intrusion. The transom will likely have both an outboard motor bracket and swim ladder mounted, making it a bit crowded as well. The stainless pulpits and stanchions are beefy by small boat standards. In contrast, the standing rigging seems a bit undersized, but remember, the mast was designed to be raised and lowered without gin pole. Teak handrails on the cabintop and molded nonskid make getting around the boat safe and easy despite narrow side decks. Newer boats feature a chain pipe and divided chain locker. Most boats will include bronze cleats and small standard sheet winches.
Down below While nobody buys a Com-Pac 23 based on the interior, most are surprised when they drop below. The cabin is spacious, this is where you appreciate the nearly eight-foot beam. The bulkheads have teak veneers and the cabin sides are covered with teak paneling. Two overhead hatches and six opening bronze portlights provide excellent ventilation. There is just one step down into the cabin and standing headroom is only under the companionway. The hide-away galley usually features a two-burner stovetop to port and a stainless sink to starboard. These cleverly fold and slide aft. A boat without these features is a pre-23/2 model. The interior really does sleep four with some comfort, including two settee berths and two berths forward. There is a storage compartment for a portable head between the forward berths. As undesirable as this arrangement is, sacrificing room for an enclosed head would waste far too much space. There are clever storage compartments throughout the boat. A portable table mounts on the bulkhead.
Engine As noted earlier, the vast majority of boats came with outboard engines. A few, roughly 35, came with a 10-horsepower inboard diesel. While the inboard offers many obvious advantages, including the ability to efficiently charge batteries, don't set your hopes on finding one on the used market, and if you do, be prepared to pay for it. There is a bit of information on the Com-Pac owners Web site, www.com-pacowners.com, that discusses retrofitting a diesel. Unless you are committed to owning the boat a long time, it probably doesn't make sense. Outboards offer a few advantages of their own, one being portability for repairs. If something goes wrong, just heft it into the trunk and take it to a mechanic. A very unscientific survey reveals that most 23s on the market have 8-horsepower outboards. All major manufacturers seem to be represented. Another advantage of an outboard is that you can actually afford to repower without breaking the bank. A new four-stroke model would be a nice upgrade and a lot better for the water you sail in. A built-in locker is designed to house a six-gallon fuel tank.
Under way The hull shape of the Com-Pac 23 is deceptive, the boat has a long 20-foot, 2-inch waterline. The theoretical hull speed is 6 knots and owners report hitting this fairly regularly on a reach. The hull shape is a bit prone to pitching but more importantly, it doesn't pound in a chop. Although the 23 is nimble under sail it is not close winded. The sheeting angles are wide and it does develop a bit of weather helm when beating. So crack off a bit and enjoy the ride, the Com-Pac 23 is not a boat to race and it reaches beautifully. Besides, the 2-foot, 3-inch draft allows the 23 to skip across shallows that more weatherly deep-draft boats have to tack around.
Conclusion The Com-Pac 23 blends quality construction, practical design features and a handsome appearance in an affordable package. Prices may range from $5,000 for an early boat to more than $20,000 for a recent model, however the bulk of the boats on the market are asking less than $10,000. When you factor in the low cost of ownership, the 23 is genuinely affordable. If you live up north, you can trailer it south in the winter. It is an ideal boat for exploring the shimmering flats of the Florida Keys. It is also capable of crossing the Gulf Stream on a nice day, and is perfect for gunkholing the broad banks of the Bahamas.
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Description
In 1972, the Hutchins Company of Clearwater, FL, introduced the Com-Pac 16, a trailerable mini-cruiser. The model was tremendously successful and led to a larger version, the Com-Pac 23, which was introduced in late 1978 with the 1979 model year. Since then, Hutchins has introduced models ranging in size from 19 to 35 feet, all following the same styling of these early models. The Com-Pac 23 was designed by Florida boatbuilder and designer Clark Mills. His name may not be instantly recognized by many sailors but his most noted design, the Optimist Pram, is very familiar to sailors and unquestionably one of the most successful sail training and dinghy class racers ever.
Originally 22′ 9″ LOA, the Com-Pac 23 grew to 23′ 11″ with the addition of a bowsprit in 1984. The specified waterline length has remained 20′ 3″as has the draft at 2′ 3″ and beam at 7′ 10″. The manufacturer’s specified displacement was 2,900 lbs. prior to 1984 and 3,000 lbs. after. Internal ballast is 1,340 and is a combination of lead and concrete.
The hull of the of the Com-Pac 23 is built of a solid laminate of fiberglass cloth and resin and, since 1994, vinylester resin has been used in the outer layer to aid in preventing osmotic blistering. The deck and trunk cabin are molded as a single piece, and foredeck and side decks are constructed with a foam center core. The deck and hull are joined on an outward flange with adhesive sealant and fastened with pop rivets or nuts and bolts depending on the date of production. The flange is then finished with a vinyl rub rail over the fasteners.
Rather than the molded fiberglass interior liners used by most production builders of boats in this size range, Hutchins strengthens the hull with athwartship and longitudinal plywood frames and bulkheads tabbed to the hull with fiberglass cloth. This method of construction has the advantage of being easily inspected and the overall quality of construction is a cut above the production boats of this size. I think Hutchins could have been a lot better with just a little more effort. Bulkheads are not attached on both sides or over their entire length and there are no fillets at attachments to ensure strong and neat joints. The main structural bulkhead supports the hull sides at the chain plates and the cabin top at the mast step is drastically cut away so the interior is more open. Buyers should look carefully in this area for movement of the bulkhead or distortion of the hull side, decks or cabin top.
The deck area is about evenly divided between cockpit space, cabin trunk and foredeck. The self-bailing cockpit is over seven feet long and offers comfortable seating and two seat lockers for storage. Secure footing on the cabin top, side and foredeck is ensured by a molded nonskid pattern. There are bow and stern rails as well as lifelines supported by stainless steel stanchions along each side.
The Com-Pac 23 is, by design, a miniaturized version of a larger boat, which is apparent inside as well as out. Berths are not quite as long or wide as you would like, sitting and standing headroom is limited and there is little privacy, but all the essentials are there. There are berths for four and a self-contained toilet between the v-berths. The galley, a sink to port and stove to starboard, are cleverly designed to slide out of the way beneath the cockpit&s seats when not in use and there is a portable ice chest. There are three opening ports on each side of the cabin trunk, an opening hatch forward plus the companionway for excellent ventilation. The majority of Com-Pac 23s are powered by outboard engines ranging from 8 to 9.9 hp although, in 1989, Hutchins began offering an optional 9 hp Yanmar inboard diesel engine.
The displacement/length ratio of the 23 is 163 and sail area/displacement ratio is 19.2, which combine to make for an easily driven boat with sufficient sail area for a very respectable turn of speed. The 45% ballast to displacement ratio and moderate waterline beam allow the 23 to stand up well to a stiff breeze. On the negative side, draft is a scant 2′ 3″, rigging shrouds are attached at the deck edge, making close sheeting angles difficult to achieve, and the kick-up rudder is a flat aluminum plate with squared off edges. These factors combine to make the 23’s performance to weather less than stellar.
The Com-Pac 23 has been in production for more than 40 years, so interested sailors can choose from a good supply of used models as well as new. Many 23s are sold with trailers and although the boat is legally trailerable, at 3,000 lbs., it will take a full-size car or sport utility vehicle with an eight-cylinder engine to comfortably pull this load.
When you consider size, accommodations, shallow water capability, quality of construction and cost, the Com-Pac 23 is tough to beat and would be a great little boat for the weekend cruiser or cruising couple for whom shallow draft ranks near or at the top of their priority list.
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Com-Pac Yachts / Hutchins Co., Inc. 1195 Kapp Dr., Clearwater, Florida 33765 USA. Call Us: 727-443-4408. E-mail Us: [email protected]. With abundant storage, standing headroom, and excellent light and ventilation, the CP 23 Pilothouse is a great trailerable cruiser.
COM-PAC 23. Save to Favorites . Beta Marine. BOTH. ... Com-Pac Yachts/ Hutchins Co. Related Sailboats: COM-PAC 23 MK 2 : Download Boat Record: Sailboat Forum ... it will vary with the weights of fuel, water, stores and equipment. A boat's actual draft is usually somewhat more than the original designed or advertised draft. For boats with ...
Com-Pac Yachts / Hutchins Co., Inc. 1195 Kapp Dr., Clearwater, Florida 33765 USA. Call Us: 727-443-4408. E-mail Us: [email protected]. The Com-Pac 23/IV offers accommodations and equipment which make her a most exceptional yacht.
Com-Pac Yachts / Hutchins Co., Inc. 1195 Kapp Dr., Clearwater, Florida 33765 USA. Call Us: 727-443-4408. E-mail Us: [email protected]. The Com-Pac line of sailboats covers a wide range of sizes from a 14-foot day sailer to a 35-foot bluewater sailing cruiser. Each sailboat, regardless of size, is built with the same exacting attention to ...
Five years later the company introduced a larger sistership, the Com-Pac 23. Also a Mills design, the 23 had an actual interior and was a bit livelier under sail, more than 600 boats have been built to date. First impressions Although the Com-Pac 23 is a very practical boat, its wide appeal comes from its traditional appearance.
The Com-Pac 23 Pilothouse combines a new superstructure with the standard Com-Pac 23 hull. The pilothouse adds comfort and protection for extended-season cruising. Stepping aboard, you'll find that Com-Pac's standard 23-foot solid FRP hull has been fitted with a new, tall pilothouse. This enclosed space, combined with the nearly 12-foot ...
The deck and rig are also fairly conventional, with the standard Com-Pac 23 mainsail cut down slightly to clear the new pilothouse. The cockpit is comfortable for two, but snug for three, with a detachable tiller for the times you want to sit outside and sail. Belowdecks is where the CP 23 really shines. In fact, the boat won a 2012 Best Boats ...
Com-Pac 23 In 1972, the Hutchins Company of Clearwater, FL, introduced the Com-Pac 16, a trailerable mini-cruiser. The model was tremendously successful and led to a larger version, the Com-Pac 23, which was introduced in late 1978 with the 1979 model year. Since then, Hutchins has introduced models ranging in size from 19 to 35 […]
8'. 2' 4'. Virginia. $4,500. Description: 1989 Com-Pac 23/3. Nice cruise ready 1989 Hutchins Com-Pac 23 Mk3 with nearly new main and furling genoa. The Com-pac 23 is known for its high quality build, nice interior, spacious cockpit and stability underway. Boat includes tandem trailer and 4 Stroke Honda 5hp motor.
1996 23' Hutchins Co Com-Pac 23 sailboat for sale in Fredericksburg Virginia
www.com-pacyachts.com. Part of the Hutchins Company, a family owned-and-operated corporation founded in 1957 by W.L. Hutchins Sr. They began building sailboats in 1970 and continue to this day. Years in Business: 1970 - present. Sailboats Built By Com-Pac Yachts/ Hutchins Co. (Dates indicate when boat was first built by any builder)
Compac preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Compac used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. ... Hutchins Com-Pac ComPac 16 Yacht: Length: 16' Beam: 5' Year: 1983: Type: cruiser: Hull: fiberglass monohull: ... Sailboat Added 23-Jul-2024 More Details: Hutchins Com-Pac Compac 16: Length: 16' Beam: 7' Draft: 2'
The starting price is $13,900, the most expensive is $13,900, and the average price of $13,900. Related boats include the following models: 16', 27 and Horizon Cat. Boat Trader works with thousands of boat dealers and brokers to bring you one of the largest collections of Com-Pac 23 boats on the market. You can also browse boat dealers to find ...
Com-Pac 23/2 diesel model at boat show. 23/IV on trailer. Com-Pac 23/IV foil rudder and control handle ... Aft view of 23/IV interior showing optional shore power panel, stereo and speakers. Forward view of the cabin. Port side cabin. The 23 deck ready for ports. The optional Yanmar Diesel is a perfect fit ... Com-Pac Yachts / Hutchins Co., Inc ...
Com-Pac 23, 1984. The Hutchins Compac 23 is a great small cruising sailboat with many of the amenities found on much larger boats. The shoal draft makes it a great West Coast sailor. Its classic design and abundance of wood give it an appealing look. Fixed keel design means no through-hull opportunities for leaks (bilge stays very dry).
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2.5'. Ohio. $10,500. Description: ***SOLD****This is a wonderful boat and always one of the prettiest and heavily built boats of her size in the marina. She has been very good to us in heavy blowing winds & gusts as well as the inescapable light winds to the calm (Bimini time). Don't be fooled by her traditional old ship looks the ComPac 23 has ...
2011 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl air disaster . 2011 aviation accident in Russia. RA-42434, the Yak-42D involved in the accident, photographed in 2006. Upload media. Wikipedia. Instance of. aviation accident. Location. Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia.
23.92 ft / 7.29 m: LWL: ... Com-Pac Yachts/ Hutchins Co. Related Sailboats: COM-PAC 23 MK 2 : Download Boat Record: Notes. Same hull as the 23. ... A sail area/displacement ratio below 16 would be considered under powered; 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
We took the boat from the embankment (There is a water-taxi style boat that is extremely cheap to take the ride out to Tolga) and it was a nice cruise, followed by an absolutely beautiful church grounds. ... Written June 23, 2024. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs ...
1983 23' Hutchins Compac 23 sailboat for sale in Columbus Indiana
We took the boat from the embankment (There is a water-taxi style boat that is extremely cheap to take the ride out to Tolga) and it was a nice cruise, followed by an absolutely beautiful church grounds. ... Written 23 June 2024. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs ...