Hey, Squally! Thanks so much! Yeah, it was a long shot effort, of sorts, to give the seal a whirl, I 'spose! If Charm was in salt water, I'm not sure I would've gone that route, but since we're in fresh water, I figured why not see how things go. Caulk can be messy if you don't know what you're doing -- which is the boat I'm in currently (pardon the pun). I think I want to practice using it before I actually use it, if you catch my drift! Yep, you are also so right about the extra "real estate" on the 23 -- gotta say, I really love it! Our season is winding down, already, so I'm getting the blues big time on that. A few more weeks of sailing, I hope! Looking forward to your next installment of Squally Heifer adventures! Thanks, again, for the visit!⛵

Hi, Paul! Thank you so much for stopping by and your well-wishes -- this means so much to me!!! Are you sailing, yet, on your 23? Btw, I think I've seen some of your posts on the CPYOA forums -- I'm "Seachelle" on there! Hope you're doing well and enjoying some time out on the water with your 23! Fair winds! ~ Chelle ⛵🌞

@@passagesfromtheheart Hi Chelle, No sailing yet but the in-board engine is now running and I had a 2 hour test run on the Thames, all is well so far. The CPYOA is a great place for info. Looking forward to your future videos. All the best, Paul.⛵

@@SCCFORUMHi, Paul! That's great you've got the 'iron sail' up and running -- and glad it's working well! I concur re: the CPYOA -- a superb resource and friendly folks as well! Can't beat that! All the best to you, too! ~ Chelle ⛵🌞

@@passagesfromtheheart 😃The Iron sail, I like that.

Ahoy and thanks so much for visiting! Yes, I always wear my PFD -- fair winds and happy sails! ⛵

@@passagesfromtheheart you as well 💝

Thanks so much! Yes, I do always wear my PFD. 😊⛵

Hey, Fred! That seal does look a lot like a canning jar seal, I agree! I'm definitely keeping a close eye on the fix. As a precautionary measure, I also plan to cover the boat this winter (tho that has its own sets of challenges, admittedly) -- but not only because I'm not sure how the seal will fare during wintertime, but also because my forward hatch is leaking and I need to repair it as well. I'm looking into indoor storage for the boat, during the off-season, so I can work on the forward hatch and possibly re-do the vent (properly!). I also need to work on my drop/hatch boards (which I need to make temporary hatch boards for that project first, of course), plus teak galore, both inside and out. Re: the furler: it was a major PITA, initially, to set it up, but I admit that I did think it was pretty cool when I could just furl up the headsail after we finishing sailing. I could grow to really love that feature! So glad that I finally got out on the water -- it was a perfect day for our first sail with calm winds -- I didn't need the additional challenge of frisky winds augmenting the learning curve with the new boat. After our first sail, I feel more confident, but I'm still not going to bite off more than I can chew -- I've got nothing but respect for the wind and water (and the weather, in general) and I try to never overestimate my skills. But I realize that I also need to gently push myself to grow as a sailor as well. A fine balance, indeed! Hope your summer has been fun and filled with wind in the sails! Thanks for your comments and for coming by! Fair winds! ~ Chelle

@@passagesfromtheheart The furler has some advantages for sure. I was thinking the rubber seal would either distort or crack from the cold. Always choose the conditions which suit you. Like the horse, always drive the horse you have, not the one you think you have. I was going to sail yesterday, but was feeling frustrated when I got up and decided it was best to stay home. Better to return home happy then mad at something.

@@olivei2484 So true -- love that comment about the horse you have, etc! I know what you mean about waking up frustrated -- that happened to me, yesterday! I had a bug up my hiney about the sailing season coming to a close so soon on the heels of my first sail (you may recall earlier frustrations I went through trying to ready Charm) -- was going to go back down to the lake yesterday, but "they" were calling for t-storms, so we opted to catch up on farm chores, etc. Hope you get out on the water soon! Keep me posted!⛵

@@passagesfromtheheart We try to have a weekend to the house and alternate boating the next weekend. That way nothing gets too far outta wack.

Hi! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment -- I'm over-the-moon happy to hear that the videos are helpful to you! So many congrats on your new Com-Pac 23 -- what year do you have? It's such a treat to hear from other 23 owners! My Com-Pac 23 has a Tohatsu 6 hp long shaft outboard engine -- it works great for the boat! I have a friend who put a Honda 2.3 hp long shaft engine on his 23 and said it worked well for him -- but he inland lake sailed and he only really used it to get in and out of the slip. I'd probably go with a 5-6 hp engine -- I think that is what Com-Pac recommends. You can always reach out to them, too -- they have fantastic customer service! Also, check out the CPYOA forum at cpyoa.com (I think they have a Facebook page, also, but I am not on FB) as there are a lot of friendly and helpful folks there, too! Fair winds and thanks, again, for your comments and for stopping by! ~ Chelle

Thank you so very much! 🙏⛵

Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by! I sail in the Midwest. ⛵