How to Add a Pilothouse to your Sailboat | Compac 16 | Sailboat Restoration

Welcome to my boat building channel! This is my trawler restoration of an Albin 27 pocket trawler. Every couple of weeks I post a boat building or boat repair video to document various boat projects, sailboat restorations, or boat repairs.
One of my favorite sailboat restoration projects is the 16 foot Compac Sailboat Pilothouse project.
In this sailboat refit, I added a pilothouse to a Compac daysailer. The Compac 16 sailboat is a well regarded trailerable sailboat made by the Hutchins Boat Company. But as I get older, the interior is a little small. This boat was a 1983 Compac 16 Mk II pocket sailboat. During this boat restoration I got to practice my lightweight composite boat building techniques in constructing the pilothouse. I also added a sailboat bowsprit, sailboat life lines, stern pulpit, and a forward hatch.
The boat pilothouse is constructed of Coosa Board, a type of reinforced fiberglass foam board for boat building. The pattern making material is Coroplast, which is like a type of plastic similar to corrugated cardboard. I think without the mast, this sailboat boat might even make a great tiny pocket trawler that could be trailered anywhere.
00:00 Compac 16 Pilothouse Project - Design
00.34 Coroplast Pattern making and mock-up
01:20 Coosa Board material
03:25 Building method
04:36 Windows
06:00 Finished pilothouse sailboat
If you like this video please check out my series on restoring a 27 foot trailerable trawler called an Albin 27 Family Cruiser.
Be sure to like and subscribe. Questions or comments can can be submitted via the comments section or at:
motorcityboatwerks.weebly.com/...
#boatprojects #boatrefit #boatrestoration #boatbuilding #trawlervlog #trawler #boatlife #sailboatrestoration #sailboatrefit #shorts #boatproject #restoration #sailboat #boatworkstoday
My videos are similar to boat project restoration videos like Boat Works Today; Project Brupeg; Sampson Boat Co; The Duracell Project; Project Duracell; Tula's Endless Summer; Sailing Delos; Travels with Geordie; SV Seeker; Danger Marine; My First Boat; Sailing Dawn Hunters; Seeking Seas; Sailing Flying Coney; AYO Fishing; Peter Slack; Sail Life; Wilding Sailing

[@thedailydeary7787]

That’s an excellent idea! Great job!

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thanks so much. Glad you like it.

[@fonhollohan2908]

You did a good job, that cabin top looks fantastic, It really does... excellent Idea as well.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thanks for the comment. Be sure to subscribe

[@scruffylookingnerfherder3418]

Great project! Good on you for having a vision and making it a reality.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thank you!

[@chrispontikakis7917]

Extremely nice work , person with patience . You alone will always see any imperfection and any flaw , while other's see only brilliance , where it is well deserved .

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thank you Chris

[@anthonydouglascontares3471]

I have a 1964 Pearson Commander 26 ft. I would really like to build this conversion to my boat. I'm impressed of your work and ideas, you give hope to the DIY community. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thanks for the feedback. I think your boat would be an excellent candidate. Be sure to follow the lines of the boat 👍

[@KlingonCaptain]

I'm glad that you can buy the C 16 from the factory with a pilothouse now. With the hours I work, I would never have the time for a project like this. I figure if I save $100 a month, I might be able to afford one in fifteen years or so.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Unfortunately I don’t believe the CP 16 is available new as a Pilothouse. Only the CP 23. This modification using the technique I describe is approximately 400 man hours and about $800 materials. A real bargain for the DIY boat builder/restorer 👌😁

[@shortcircuit2001]

Very nice!

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bretwilson5197]

I'd love one of these for my compac 16.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

It’s an excellent DIY project 😃

[@bretwilson5197]

I'm real bad about going to work in my boat and then just going sailing.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

😃

[@TaylanYalniz]

Well done 👍 👏

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thank you 👍

[@perfstaas7188]

I LOVE IT Sir : )

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thank You!

[@atomisum6445]

That's freaking awesome

[@motorcityboatwerks]

👍 be sure to subscribe. Wait and see what’s coming with the pocket trawler 😁

[@atomisum6445]

@@motorcityboatwerks I subbed. Love your enthusiasm brother

[@motorcityboatwerks]

👍😁

[@cindyreid6404]

That looks good, great job!

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thanks so much be sure to like and subscribe for more videos on the way

[@steinrich56]

Nice work......well done....!

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thanks so much!

[@paulcupach8196]

Nice job

[@motorcityboatwerks]

TY

[@davetowz]

Last video to watch. Been enjoying the format on the Albion. Look forward to more

[@motorcityboatwerks]

So glad you joined us. Thanks again for the support !

[@grumpyken9151]

really nice work and cool customization. there is one of these conversions on Boat Trader right now in NC

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Thank you Grumpy Ken. Richlands NC does really nice conversions professionally. And I must admit they were the inspiration for my pilothouse work. Thanks again 😁

[@smallsailboatbigwater3959]

I sail a Com Pac 23. I would love to have the protection that doghouse would provide. Great video, 👍🏼#113

[@motorcityboatwerks]

I agree ! a Compac 23 is a project I would love to undertake and I have been looking for a good doner boat for years

[@vincentdsnt]

Coosa Board is the only way to build a boat upgrade ! I know it cost more but well worth the money.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

😁👍

[@huntington46750]

Installing new windows in my boat is next on the list. All prepped and materials on-site. Took many months to locate the interlocking gasket needed. Are you available? I'm only about four hours from you. :)

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Unfortunately, I don't take appointments at the Boat Werks. And I do not do consultations yet. But I do correspond one on with those subscribers who are my Patreon Sponsors. Check out my Patreon page and I encourage you to join the Werkers. patreon.com/MotorCityBoatWerks

[@charles.neuman18]

Did you have to raise both sails higher to clear the pilot house? Or did you cut off a foot or so of the bottom of each sail?

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Of course the black sales are custom. One foot off the foot of the stanadrd size main sail. But it could have been set lower. And I think the 150 genoa was standard for the CDi F1 roller furling

[@brhino]

Looks beaut, is mainsail furled/cut & boom relocated ?

[@motorcityboatwerks]

The new main sail was made approximately 8-12” shorter to clear the pilothouse. The boom was raised only slightly

[@sailboatbob3969]

That cousa board is not cheap. how many hrs do you have in this project? and the total cost? good job.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Unfortunately you are correct 😎Bob, at the time the Compac 16 pilothouse cost only $600-800 and 200-250 man hours. Be sure to like and subscribe and please spread the word about MotorCity Boat Werks 👍😁

[@JohnVH-diy]

Did the weight affect the sailing ability ? Did it become too top heavy? I would like to raise the whole roof of my ‘70s Macgregor 12” to give me more head room.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

It is extremely light weight and not top heavy. Coosa Board is 40-60% lighter than marine plywood. The Compac 16 has about 500lbs of ballast. Not sure about the Macgregor

[@JohnVH-diy]

@@motorcityboatwerks Here’s my plan. Cut off the whole top about 1” off the deck. Raise it up about 12”. 1/4” luan plywood on the inside to support the top then fiberglass the outside. Gives me more headroom. Can you foresee any problems? Do you know of anyone who’s done this?

[@motorcityboatwerks]

John I don’t currently offer consultations regarding boat builds or restorations. But it may be something available in the future based on demand. I do know folks who have attempted similar modifications on different boats and I probably would NOT use 1/4” luan and fiberglass. Nor would I be doing this to a Macgregor 🤔

[@JohnVH-diy]

What’s the reason for not doing this to a Macgregor. I got a 1972 and the pop top has sagged to the point the slide is difficult to open. Macgregors we’re known for speed but I’m old and like to sail slow. Just want to be more comfortable in the cabin.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

John, Sadly I’m still not doing paid consultations yet. But I thank you for your interest. Consider becoming a Patreon and joining the Werkers. Then perhaps we can discuss further.

[@user-gu7jt7rh1u]

If you have the templates still I would love to build the same thing for my daughters compact 16. I'd pay you to just send me a cardboard set

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Danny thanks so much for your comment. Unfortunately I don’t have any templates. Even cardboard. The original coroplast patterns were reused into another project. 😞I’m looking for a Compac sailboat for another project. I will be making a set of patterns from that. Thanks of trout interest I will keep you posted

[@captainsteve5475]

Sad to say, but this boat was destroyed by a tornado while sitting on its trailer.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Is that right? New owner was taking it to Florida to cruise the southern coast solo

[@captainsteve5475]

@@motorcityboatwerks actually I was planning the ICW trip from Norfolk, VA to Jacksonville, N.C. ending near Camp Lajune where I was born.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Steve no chance it could be rebuilt? perhaps you can contact me via my website. I would like to learn more and do a follow up story

[@johnirby493]

You made it much more difficult to raise the mast.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Sorry John, But No. 😁👍It’s super easy. The mast rests on the bow pulpit, secured to mast step, and standing rigging loose but connected. You walk the mast up. Simple for one man. 😁👍Be sure to subscribe you’re going to love it

[@johnirby493]

What holds the bottom of the mast in place as you walk it up? You can't fasten it to the tabernacle until it is straight up.@@motorcityboatwerks

[@motorcityboatwerks]

🤣😂?? Sure you can. I’ve done it several times. Loosely attach the mast to the mast step tabernacle and walk the mast up.

[@johnirby493]

The front of your cabin looks to be straight up from the tabernacle. The mast doesn't look like it will lay over to be connected before the mast is raised. It looks like it will lay flat on top of the cabin.@@motorcityboatwerks

[@motorcityboatwerks]

John 🐙 I encourage you to watch the video and check out my website. The boat has been extensively documented in video and photographs. 😎Rest assured the mast goes up just as I said. Check out my current Pilothouse Conversion for the Skipper 20 sailboat😁👍. I know you will think my channel is amazing 🤩 Imagine what you’ll learn! Please Like and subscribe

[@crawford323]

Soooooo expensive! Incredibly expensive. Coolant board is unaffordable.

[@motorcityboatwerks]

Its really not that expensive if you follow my advice on how and where to purchase it. When you consider the cost of fiberglass resin and materials to achieve the same strength to weight and rigidity of marine foams and other laminates--Coosa Board is a great DIY option. Check out my Coosa Board and Composites Playlist before you completely rule it out.