Com-Pac 23 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Com-Pac 23 means looking at a Clark Mills–designed trailerable cruiser launched in 1978 and built in steady numbers since, with later generations refining rather than replacing the original layout. These boats turn up in the United States and United Kingdom, and the design's simple systems make a used example approachable for a first-time owner willing to inspect the basics.
Layouts on the Used Market
The cabin is built around a nearly eight-foot beam, with four berths — two settees and two forward — and a portable head stowed between the forward bunks. The hide-away galley with a two-burner stove and stainless sink became standard from the 23/2 onward, while the 23/3 swapped small round ports for larger oval ones. The rare 23 D carries a 10-horsepower Yanmar diesel inboard; the vast majority of survivors use outboards with a built-in locker for a six-gallon tank. Standing headroom is confined to the companionway, so judge livability by seated comfort rather than stretch room.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used fleet, a bimini and a chartplotter are often seen additions that improve cockpit comfort and navigation without major surgery. A spinnaker shows up as an occasional owner upgrade for lighter-air reaching. Beyond those, most boats retain their original teak handrails, bronze ports, and self-bailing cockpit; the value lies in original construction condition more than gadget count.
What to Inspect
The mast was designed to raise and lower without a gin pole, so check the deck step and standing rigging, which period review found a bit undersized for the 30-foot stick anchor. The triangular mainsheet crowds the helmsman; verify the traveler area and cockpit bridgedeck are sound. Confirm the balsa-cored deck and cabintrunk are free of soft spots. On 23 D diesels, the builder claimed only about 35 were built, so verify the engine is the claimed Yanmar single-cylinder anchor.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Com-Pac 23s are found in the United States and United Kingdom. For a buyer, the short list is: confirm rigging integrity and mast step, test the cockpit self-bailing and locker seals, inspect deck core for softening, and match the engine claim to the hull (outboard versus rare 23 D diesel). Choose the generation by needed galley and portlight style rather than assuming one is superior.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Com-Pac 23. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 9 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $7,950 | — |
| Jul 25 | 4 | $6,950 | -12.6% |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $6,950 | 0.0% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $3,800 | -45.3% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $34,500 | +807.9% |
| May 26 | 2 | $11,797 | -65.8% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $13,594 | +15.2% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $6,950 | -48.9% |
| Aug 26 | 3 | $6,800 | -2.2% |
Where they're listed
Com-Pac 23 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 9 (81.8%), followed by United Kingdom.
Country view
11 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $6,950 | 9 | 4 | 81.8% |
| United Kingdom | $13,594 | 2 | 1 | 18.2% |