Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass with wood trim, built around a fixed long keel and fitted with a transom-hung rudder. There’s no cored hull or exotic laminate—just straightforward fiberglass construction suited to a boat intended for easy ownership and trailering.
The Com-Pac 19 Mk II has a 16.33-foot waterline, a 7-foot beam, and a 2-foot draft. It displaces 2,000 pounds and carries 800 pounds of ballast, giving it a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 40 percent.
That long keel, substantial ballast ratio, and shallow draft favor directional steadiness over agility. With a hull speed of 5.41 knots and an average PHRF rating of 285, the numbers point to a modest, predictable performer rather than a racer.
Rig and Handling
The boat carries a masthead sloop rig on a 25-foot mast. Total sail area is 152.87 square feet, divided between a 75-square-foot mainsail and a 77.87-square-foot jib. The foretriangle measures 21.75 feet high with a 7.16-foot base; the mainsail has an 18.75-foot luff and an 8-foot foot.
Period testers praised the simple rig and fittings as suitable for first-time sailors. They also noted that the deep cockpit gives a feeling of security.
The long keel tends to keep the boat sailing straight ahead. That’s a plus in gusty cruising, but a drawback when a quick turn is needed. Reviewers also found that the keel wasn’t deep enough for efficient upwind sailing.
Accommodations
The cabin sleeps four. An optional head sits at the bottom of the companionway, while the galley fits into a notch at the base of the V-berth. A portable galley was also offered as an option. 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.
Cabin headroom is 46 inches. Testers observed that although comparable boats all provided only sitting headroom, the Com-Pac had the least headroom in the group.
Equipment and Power
A small 3 to 6 hp outboard normally provides power for docking and maneuvering. The cockpit includes a storage compartment for the outboard’s fuel tank.
Known Issues
The main handling concerns identified in period reviews center on the keel. Its tendency to track straight limits quick maneuvering, while its shallow 2-foot depth restricts the boat’s ability to sail efficiently upwind.
Low cabin headroom is the other documented comparative weakness. At 46 inches, it was the lowest among the rival designs tested.
Verdict
The Com-Pac 19 Mk II is a deliberately simple, stable pocket cruiser intended for new sailors and easy trailering. Its long keel and modest rig make it predictable, though not nimble or quick to windward. The cabin sleeps four and can accommodate an optional head and galley, but it’s compact even by the standards of the class.
Pros
- Simple rig and fittings suited to first-time owners
- Deep cockpit provides a secure feeling
- Stable, straight-tracking hull with 800 pounds of ballast
- Four berths, with an optional head and galley
Cons
- Long keel limits quick turning and upwind efficiency
- At 46 inches, sitting headroom was the lowest among comparable boats
- Modest sail area and 5.41-knot hull speed limit performance
