Com-Pac 16 Trawler
by Keith Scott

We live in a world that recycles everything that's economically possible to recycle. Why not recycle our old sailboats into something that looks good and fills a useful purpose?

Some fiberglass sailboat brands like the Com-Pac and the Montgomery can become small trawlers with a little imagination and lots of hard work. As sailors get older, they may not want to pull sails like they did when they were young.

No matter your age, a Down East lobster boat in your garage is cool to own.

Current Coast Guard rules for powerboats less than 20 feet discourage new construction of boats like the Com-Pac 16. I think a small boat with a house (cabin) needs a keel if you?re going park it at a dock on a windy day, and a recycled sailboat with ballast and a displacement hull makes an excellent trawler.

The little project Com-Pac 16 trawler is an '82 model that was modified and then painted with Awlgrip. It currently uses an 18-hp outboard that pushes the boat to 6 knots. The good looks of the Clark Mill's cabin top was retained and moved forward on the deck. It was stretched aft to provide room for two passengers in the cabin. The cabin currently has a wood spoke wheel, engine controls and two seats on pedestal mounts. A large overhead hatch provides ventilation and standing headroom for maneuvering in close quarters. The helmsperson can reach the controls, take pictures, or fish from that position.
The most important part of this project was making a good-looking house. The curves have to be right if you're going to make it into a lobster yacht.

The Sailboat Company
(910) 324-4005


SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR PO BOX 1343, PORT TOWNSEND, WA 98368 - 360-379-1930