1 Reply by John Hayes

(2 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)

After a pleasant summer of sailing my newly acquired boat, I have a few modifications planned with which I need some help/advice.  For the sake of thread clarity, I will enter them one at a time.

The boat has mast steps which are going to be removed.  I sail with my 21 year old son, who is an avid rock climber, and he has no qualms about going up with a bosuns chair, if needed.  The steps occasionally catch the main halyard and obviously add additional weight. And I don't like the way they look.

My question has to do with filling the holes.  I could, I suppose, just replace the screws or bolts in the holes, but I was hoping for something a little cleaner looking that that.  Do I need to be concerned with strength of the rig when filling these holes?  It may be a simple minded question, and not the last, but I have read cautionary suggestions elsewhere about minimizing the number of penetrations in your mast for just this reason.

Please save any well intentioned suggestions concerning keeping the mast steps in place for whomever buys them from me.

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2 Reply by John Hayes

(9 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)

My recently purchased Contessa has a Monitor windvane and no boarding ladder.  I am going to keep the windvane for now, but need a ladder to use to board the boat at the mooring or after swimming (as soon as Lake champlain gets over 50 degrees).  Transom mount is out, and I suppose a more agile person could climb up the windvane and get in, but I need a ladder. Midships seems the obvious location, but I am not sure how to accomplish this without some major cluttering.  Suggestions appreciated.

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3 Reply by John Hayes

(11 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

Merrill,

I would like to know more about the non-standard aspects of Tania's boat, especially concerning floatation.  I just bought a book with a picture of her sailing into New York (I believe) with a liferaft aboard.  Any thoughts on sufficient floatation obviating the need for a liferaft?

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4 Reply by John Hayes

(6 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

I am having it hauled to Lake Champlain (New England's west coast) from Florida even as we speak.  It should arrive in Vermont on Friday and be in the 40 degree water in another few weeks.  I will submit all of the info for the registry once I have the boat here and take some pictures as well.  It does have a monitor windvane, so I will include some detailed pictures of that installation, and it's impact on cockpit space.  I am undecided on keeping the windvane right now.

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5 Reply by John Hayes

(6 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

I found this boat in response to a post I made inquiring about Conteesas in Florida.  Mark was kind enough to send me a message and also let me know his boat was for sale.

As a suggestion, I did receive several contacts from the posting I had on the Boats Wanted section.  There is a 1983 model, hull number 305, for sale in the Bahamas.  It will be slowly on it's way back to Toronto starting in April.  You can contact Ian at enemail@canada.com

Good luck.  Merrill is right about people not updating their information.  One boat was already sold, and the latest update appears to be sold as well.  I was rather surprised to see that listing as I had been in touch with the owner several times and he told me he thought the boat was sold before it showed up on the Pocketcruisers site.

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6 Reply by John Hayes

(6 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

I am the proud new owner of a 1984 Contessa 26.  The adoption papers haven't quite all been signed, but the deal is done.  Details and pictures to follow.  The only unfortunate part of the new arrival is the name.  Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  I may have to review Mr. vigor's procedures for this.

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7 Topic by John Hayes

(8 replies, posted in Technical)

Never mind.  In an unsurpassed explosion of self-sufficiency, I looked at the Yanmar site and saw that the engine is raw water cooled, with no reference to a fresh water cooled option.

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8 Reply by John Hayes

(8 replies, posted in Technical)

My last concern on the boat I am trying to buy is the engine.  The boat has a 2002 installation of a Yanmar 1GM10, which is raw water cooled.  The boat has spent all of it's life since installation in Florida salt water. I understand the differences between raw water cooled and fresh water cooled.  Is there room for a heat exchanger in the engine compartment?  If so, can it be added without removing the engine?  Is it necessary if some care is taken to flush the engine periodically when in salt water?  If it matters, the boat is a 1984 model.

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9 Reply by John Hayes

(2 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)

I know this has been discussed before, but I didn't save the discussion thread anywhere.  The boat on which I am about to make an offer has all new standing rigging, with the following sizes:

Headstay, unknown, believed to be 3/16
Backstay, split with bridal, 3/16 upper strand to two 5/32 ower
Upper shroud, single 3/16
Lower shrouds, double 3/16

A November, 2004 survey on the boat, done prior to replacement of the rigging, recommended increasing size on all to 7/32, if any offshore cruising is anticipated.  It is.

My question, obviously, is what do you think of the sizing of the rigging?

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