Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass with wood trim, built on a fixed long keel with a transom-hung rudder. That long-keel configuration, paired with the 40 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio and 2-foot draft, gives the boat a grounded sense of directional steadiness rather than agility. The construction is straightforward fiberglass work — no cored hull, no exotic laminates — which suits a boat intended for easy ownership and trailering. At a hull speed of 5.41 knots and a PHRF average of 285, the numbers describe a modest, predictable performer rather than a racer.
Rig and Handling
She is rigged as a masthead sloop with a 25-foot mast, carrying a total sail area of 152.87 square feet split between a 75-square-foot mainsail and a 77.87-square-foot jib. The foretriangle measures 21.75 feet high by 7.16 feet at the base, and the mainsail luff runs 18.75 feet with an 8-foot foot. Period testers praised the very simple rig and fittings as suitable for first-time sailors, and the deep cockpit was noted to give a feeling of security anchor. That same long keel, however, tends to keep her sailing straight ahead — a plus in gusty cruising but a drawback when a quick turn is needed, and reviewers found the keel not deep enough for efficient upwind sailing anchor.
Accommodations
Below, the boat sleeps four, with an optional head set at the bottom of the companionway and a galley tucked into the notch at the base of the V-berth. Cabin headroom is 46 inches, and testers observed that while all comparable boats offered only sitting headroom, the Com-Pac had the least of the group. A portable galley was an option, and in the latest model the galley was moved forward and enlarged to add a sink fed by a small water supply and an ice chest.
Equipment and Power
The design is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp outboard for docking and maneuvering, and a cockpit storage compartment is provided for the outboard's fuel tank.
Known Issues
The principal handling caveats from period reviews center on the keel: its straight-tracking tendency limits quick maneuvering, and its shallow 2-foot depth restricts upwind ability. The low cabin headroom is a documented comparative weakness against rival designs.
The Verdict
The Com-Pac 19 Mk II is a deliberately simple, stable pocket cruiser built for new sailors and easy trailering. Her long keel and modest rig make her safe and predictable, if not nimble or quick to windward, and her cabin is compact even by the standards of her class.
Pros
- Simple rig and fittings suited to first-time owners
- Deep cockpit provides a secure feeling
- Stable, straight-tracking hull with 800 lb ballast
- Four berths with optional head and galley
Cons
- Long keel limits quick turning and upwind efficiency
- Lowest sitting headroom among comparable boats at 46 in
- Modest sail area and 5.41-kn hull speed cap performance
