I had an interesting discussion with a surveyor. He believes that 6HP is fine for a CO26. The cost of re-powering is pretty high vs. the value of an older boat. (I know because I looked at doing it as I have an outboard). If my surveyor friend is right then you should stick with the 6HP. I have another friend with a 34', full keel, home-built. A great, heavy thing and he has a 4HP! He says as long as you are willing to give up a knot or two, it's fine to go with a small engine.
26 2011-04-26 14:22:36
Re: Which Contessa to buy? (12 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
27 2011-04-19 10:43:24
Re: Sailing to from Lake Ontario to Long Island NY (6 replies, posted in Cruising)
There's also a book called the Down East Circle by Capt. Cheryl Barr. I bought it for a winter read and it was really good. It covers times and distances, info about locks, etc. It's for both doers and dreamers.
28 2011-02-20 12:26:36
Topic: Porta Potty Head Install (4 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
I am going to replace my head with one that works properly (insert joke here). I can't get parts for the old one and it leaks, sprays bowl from the water out the handle, etc. I've re-built it too many times. I've bought a porta potty type with a holding tank and flushing tank built in. Any advice on how to mount it?
29 2011-02-20 12:22:37
Topic: Sail Cover Specs (3 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
My ancient sail cover is done. It was a hand-me-down and never fit properly; too short on the boom. Anyone got any specs on what the normal sail cover would be?
30 2010-04-25 14:56:29
Topic: Almatic Alchohol Stove (0 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
My boat came with an 1978 Almatic alcohol stove. I know that's what it is because there is a sticker on the side with that piece of information, the remains of the words "Canada Road"...and that's it.
The stove works very well and I don't have much trouble filling it, once I figured out that you fill them upside down with a cork in the top of the burner. I use an alcohol stove for backpacking and I prefer them for their simplicity. Cooking takes a bit longer but what doesn't on a boat?
I'm looking to replace the grill as it's getting a bit ratty looking (though the rest certainly doesn't look 32 years old). I can't find anything on the internet about Almatic except other people asking about them. Anyone on this board have any info or got any parts they want to sell?
Thanks,
Andrew
31 2009-11-02 08:57:27
Re: Anybody home? (19 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Still here. Busy summer etc. Still sailing too! Sailed in hail about a week ago. A new experience. Rain, snow, and hail. Now I just need sleet!
32 2009-09-01 11:49:53
Re: Indoduction and question about jack lines (15 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
I too would rather be dragged. Once you are "underway" it's good to have something to pull yourself up with. I have an outboard which can stand in as a ladder though you get a lot of bruises. And it helps if it's not running. For those with diesels it wold not be an easy heave to pull your self up right into a CO26 even with the low freeboard. I once did it ten times in a row just for practice in 5 degree water while carrying sunken treasure....ok I confess I can't do it. Maybe with a burst of adrenaline I would. But I take the easy way: into the tender, into the boat.
I like the idea of a central jack line but there's that big stick thingy in the way. I have run jacklines from the forward pulpit to the aft pulpit, lying flat on the side decks. I use the webing kind. I have not put any padeyes inplace because I wanted to experiment with different placements. Instead I just used the shackel at one end and did a very firm knot at the other. This works ok but it's easy to get fouled in the jib sheets and also around the winches.
I use the jacklines mostly when sailing alone or when my son wants to go forward. One thing I always try to do is crawl forward, even with the jacklines on, unless I'm close to shore. It's just too easy to be pitched around and the lifelines will ensure you are catapulted several feet away from the boat.
I've wondered if it would be possible to have some sort of system that is attached to a ring around the base of the mast. You'd avoid jib sheets and winches, could go either side and around the mast.
33 2009-04-22 10:32:02
Topic: Working Jib needed. (0 replies, posted in Wanted)
I'd prefer a reefable 100%.
Thanks,
Andrew
34 2009-04-14 12:41:59
Topic: Working Jib Specs (0 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
I have an old working jib that has reached the end of its useful life. I'm going to replace it but found that the original CO26 specs didn't seem to include a sail of these dimensions. This is what I have:
Luff 27’7”
Leech 24’7”
Foot 10’
125 sq. ft.
5.5 oz. Dacron
I generally use it in heavy weather and it's reefable too. My question is this: Does anyone have an opinion on specs for a heavy weather sail?
35 2009-04-03 05:16:12
Topic: Bow anchor roller (1 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
My boat (1974) has no anchor roller. It just has this triangular piece of metal to which the forestay attaches and where the docklines run. Has anyone modified or replaced this to allow for a place to put an anchor?
36 2009-03-20 09:12:01
Re: new winches (9 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
OK, thanks for he advice. I haven't actually maintained them at all. I guess I'd better do some research.
37 2009-03-12 09:51:19
Re: new winches (9 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
I like two speed. When I'm tired, sore (a little gift from a hit and run driver is frequent pain in my wrist and shoulder), or have a weaker or inexperienced crew member trimming, the two speed makes life a lot easier.
Now here's the really important question: you can polish winches? Mine are LEWMAR 16s and 8s. The are a dark colour. I didn't know there was anything I could or should do. Any suggestions?
38 2009-03-04 11:02:00
Re: how much room on deck for a hard dinghy ? (16 replies, posted in Technical)
39 2009-02-12 17:44:46
Re: Interior Lockers and Storage (7 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
Well...I certainly got more than I bargained for! I should have been more clear. Right now, most of the interior is in place. Port side has quarter berth, ice box, sink, hanging locker V-berth. Starboard has quarter berth, stove, head, v-berth. I'm not planning to change any of that. It works well enough.
Right now my quarterberths are nice and long as they go from the aft partial bulkhead of the ice box (port) or stove (start board). They end at a bulkhead which divides the quarter berth from the cockpit lockers. They are about 7' long. I can't give this up as I am 6" 2".
What I'm looking for is suggestions about what to do with the space from the quarter berth up to the cabin roof (well the side deck actually). All that's there no is hull. I know lots of boats have book shelves and cabinets. I need to put my electrical panel in something and I need more storage. I'm hoping someone will have something simple and ingenious to propose.
thanks.
40 2009-02-09 06:41:46
Topic: Interior Lockers and Storage (7 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
My 1974 CO26 came with no interior. Over time, owners have added a few bits and pieces. Currently I have nothing above the quarter berths; it's just blank hull from the cussion up to the deck. Has anyone built anything that fits in that space? I've seen a lot of examples in factory interiors in other CO26s. I'm hoping for something that's evolved from that.
Thanks.
Andrew
Eagh Marey
CO26 #125
42 2008-12-16 17:36:58
Topic: Last Sail (0 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
My last sail of the season was November 30th. Went out to McNab's Island, walked the beach, visited a fort. Light winds but who cares? Any sailing in November is good.
Now the boat sits quietly in Melville Cove, still afloat in the bubbler, waiting out the coming winter.
My four year old asks "Daddy, is she sleeping? Will she miss us?" We all know the answer is no...but also yes. Somehow our boats come alive for us and we develop great affection for them. They put us in touch with the more fundamental elements of life. Someone tried to sell me a new iPOD/stereo for my boat with all kinds of power and features. They were stunned that I didn't have a stereo on board. "The only radio I need", I said, "is VHF". I'm a musician and I still think there is no music better than that made by wind and water.
Corny as it sounds I frequently thank God for the blessing of having my boat. What ever you think about the life, the universe and everything, boats are awesome, aren't they?
43 2008-10-21 10:35:42
Re: Outboard Motor Bracket for 9.9 4stroke (2 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
I have a nice Honda, weighs about 100 lbs. It's mounted on the transom with a standard vertically raising bracket. I have two wedge-shaped pieces in place to make the mount more vertical. My boat has never had a diesel.
It works ok but I never move it up and down as reaching over to raise it vertically is quite a challenge. When tilting it I just use the tilt on the engine itself which isn't hard. When on starboard tack the prop drags a little bit when heeled.
Much as I think diesel is cool and looks tidier, I perfer the practicality of the outboard. At most it would cost me $3,200 to fix (i.e. a brand new replacement). I can store it somewhere in the winter. I can service it anywhere. It drives the boat at 6 knots. It can be used as a stern thruster both forward and reverse.
When you have an outboard your ASPN goes from 94 to 97.
In a dream world I'd go elecric with a small gas or diesel charging engine mounted somewhere else.
44 2008-07-15 08:37:56
Re: 180 genoa (11 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
I have a 180 as well though I haven't used it for three seasons. The clew is so long that I had to sheet it through blocks that attach to the stern pulpit's stanchions. It's kinda ridiculous actually. It may be worth checking to see how you're going to sheet with the sail fully extended.
I'm not concinved that in really light air that the sail doesn't introduce more drag that its size makes up for. In other words, I don't see any great advantage over a 140. Thoughts anyone?
45 2008-04-14 06:57:25
Topic: Cetol in colder weather? (0 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
Those of you who are hopelessly varnished, please disregard.
I use Cetol because it's easy and cheap and, more importantly, it's not very particular about weather. That being said, I wish Cetol would tolerate less than a minimum of 10 degress C. Does anyone know what happens if the temp drops below 10C before the Cetol dries? Is there a way to make Cetol work better and colder temperatures?
46 2008-04-11 03:59:13
Re: Outboard engine throwing off balance? (1 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
I have an outboard. While I've never sailed a contessa with an inboard I haven't noticed anything unusual with mine.
47 2008-04-09 04:49:18
Topic: Outboard Starting Idea (1 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
For those of you who have outboards, you'll know that pull starting something hanging that far over the transom is difficult. Unless you have the flexibility of a gymnast and the upper body strenght of...well...someone stronger than me the first half of your pull will be weak. Also you'll almost always pull the cord all the way which puts strain on the springy thing.
I had a spare starter cord. I made a small loop in the end and put it around the engine's starter cord handle. In other words, I used one cord to extend the one that is in the engine.
Now I can stand up straight in the cockpit and give it a good heave. I then unloop the extension cord and put it away. Engine starts much easier and I don't have to contort myself.
48 2008-04-09 04:32:23
Re: Engine-induced Radio Noise (3 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
ooohkay....that raises an interesting question. I've got 12V DC + and - . I don't have a seperate ground bus for anything. If I did, what would I ground it to? I don't think any of my electronics has a seperate ground either. Am I thinking of "ground" the wrong way, like in a house?
49 2008-04-08 05:22:46
Topic: Engine-induced Radio Noise (3 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
I went for my first sail yesterday....ah....sweet....sunny...windy (1 reef)...
Before leaving I did a radio check with the coast guard. With my engine running they reported a loud whine that made me unintelligible. I do not hear the whine when receiving. With the engine off no problem.
I have a recent (2007) Honda 9.9 outboard with a 6A generator hooked straight to my battery.
Engine === battery === battery switch === breaker panel === electrical stuff
I'm thinking the source of my problem could be:
- faulty connectors between the engine and the battery
- something wrong with the generator
- something wrong with the radio (not sure what), it's an old West Marine 25watt/5watt
- EMI problem unreleated to the wiring
- antenna connection
I did not do a radio check with the engine running last year so I don't know if the problem was there before.
I'm looking for advice, suggestions.
50 2008-04-07 07:22:41
Re: Sail Weight (5 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
Excellent. Thanks. I sail Halifax coastal. Winds can best be described as "be prepared".