Here’s a short 2 minute video of sailing the Com-Pac Sun Cat in Aransas Bay. Turn up the volume. Enjoy.
We finally decided on a name for the boat. She will be named the Molly Brown after the very inspiring woman, Titanic survivor and philanthropist Margaret Brown. She also kind of looks like a Molly 🙂
Some very sensible additions that came with the boat:
- Two deep cycle marine batteries with switch and voltmeter
- Sail cover, boat cover, tiller cover and bimini. Unfortunately all the canvas is black, which would not be my first choice for Texas, but better than not having it.
- Small storage bins inside the cabin
- Porta-potti
- Portable stove
- Anchor, chain and rhode (had to upgrade anchor, see below)
- 6 hp Tohatsu outboard
- Magic Tilt trailer
- Cockpit cushions
- Expansion cushions and support for v-berth
I have made a few modifications to the boat to make her a little easier to single and and more able to deal with the central Texas coast:
- Installed a lighted bulkhead compass on the rear cabin bulkhead on the port side
- Had 2 more sets of reef points added to the sail (total of 3). There aren’t many options for reducing sail on a catboat.
- Set up sail reefing so that all could be handled either from the cockpit or standing in the companionway so that crawling out on the deck was no longer required
- Installed lazy jacks to catch the sail and gaff making raising and lowering the sail, as well as reefing, much easier
- Added a block to the outhaul on the boom to reduce friction and wear
- Got a larger Bruce type anchor to replace the too small one that came with the boat. Will use the smaller one for a second anchor when two are needed.
- Replaced trailer winch
Next: Will add a harness loop to the cabin top approximately amidships. It’s not good to fall overboard when you are single handling without a tether.
More to come…