I am content to go only with a 120% genoa on a Harken roller furler. I gave away my 150% genoa and working jib. I would like a tiny storm jib.
51 2006-07-19 03:11:07
Re: Head sail comparisons - genoas vs. jib (13 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
52 2006-07-19 02:59:49
Re: Ventilation -- what would you recc? (4 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
I installed a vent much like yours in the portside roof right over my galley sink. The vent came with a plastic insert I can slip in during rain or green water coming over the coachroof but the location over the sink contains any rainwater that leaks through and goes right down the sink drain.
53 2006-07-16 11:11:16
Re: Seized Piston Rings=bad compression.... (15 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
54 2006-07-14 19:41:15
Re: Anchor Types & Weights (2 replies, posted in Boat handling / Performance)
I have to deal with mud and muck bottoms. My primary anchor is a Bruce and my second and third anchors are Danforths.
55 2006-07-14 19:23:23
Re: autopilot (4 replies, posted in Boat handling / Performance)
I met the installer of the "Varuna" wind vane at the Annapolis boat show and was considering paying $2000+ and having him stay in my guest room for a week while he installed this monstrosity that would project six feet or more off of my stern. ( It was guaranteed for once around the world.)
A friend counseled me that, since I had no immediate plans to traverse the world, that two cheap tiller pilots might serve me better.
I bought two Autohelm 1000 tillerpilots from West Marine for less than $500 each and they work fine. My Contessa has two batteries and a whole 8 hours steering by autopilot will drain one battery most all the way down-saving the other one to start the diesel.
Autohelm 1000's drown out if drenched so I rigged a clear plastic cover for it with velcro if I need it to steer in driving rain or am being pooped by waves astern. I can see my buttons to push and read the compass on it through the clear plastic.
Last year I drowned out both autopilots and sent them to the factory and they came back fine. This spring, my buddy knocked one overboard, rendering it disfunctional after I hauled it up by the wire. I put it in my oven with just the 40 watt oven light burning for most of a week and it has worked great ever since.
56 2006-07-14 18:52:56
Re: Heeling (17 replies, posted in Boat handling / Performance)
I converted my 120% genoa to roller reefing and my new main got three deep reefs and jiffy reefing. I was not happy with my Contessa until I could quickly control sail shape and size. I decided against a jib any bigger than my 120% because I singlehand a lot and I'm not young. I used that same excuse to justify the purchase of a new Yamaha 1GM10 diesel that is good for 6 knots or more if I use one sail with it running 80-85% revs.
57 2006-07-03 05:21:56
Re: How old are your sails? (55 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
First thing I did to my Contessa was install roller furling and adapt my 120% genoa to the roller. When I took over the boat in Biloxi, Mississippi, it blew 25 knots all the way to Mobile Bay. With working jib and reefed main I was uncomfortably overcanvassed.
Second thing I did was order a new main with 3 deep reefs and jiffy reefing.
Now I can control sail size, quickly, and sailing now brings me much happy.
I then installed a new Yanmar 1GM-10 and motoring now brings me much happy.
58 2006-06-30 14:35:47
Re: How old are your sails? (55 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
I had Shure Sail of Pensacola make me a new mainsail with three reefs and then they sewed a blue reef cover strip on the luff and foot of my 120% genoa.
I don't know about you guys but a 120% foresail is plenty enough for my Contessa 26. If the full genoa and main won't drive her it's Yanmar time!
59 2006-06-30 13:40:13
Re: Gear while sailing... (2 replies, posted in Boat handling / Performance)
The aft end of the keel on a Contessa is quite fat enough to cover a two-bladed prop. I put mine in neutral and the prop never appears to spin. One might put the engine in neutral when turning it off to allow the prop to line up with the keel in order to minimize drag and then put it back in gear to prevent any prop spin.
60 2006-06-30 13:26:39
Re: Tortola Report (2 replies, posted in Cruising)
Where ever I travel anywhere in the world near the water, I always run into at least one Contessa 26. This includes Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand and the island of Granada.
My Contessa, hull#283 "Heather Noelle" is the only Contessa left on Mobile Bay since the other, a 1972, was destroyed in Hurricane Ivan.