1

(5 replies, posted in Wanted)

Hi everyone.  Sorry, no, Virago is not for sale.  Or happily, no, Virago is not for sale.  The UK government and Covid killed my marriage to the Scotsman so I am still here, still sailing on the Great Lakes.  As you will see elsewhere, I tried a bigger boat on for size but just can't let go of Virago so I'm selling the bigger boat, a Douglas 31.  If someone is looking for a family size Contessa, the Douglas 31 would be a good choice.

2

(0 replies, posted in For Sale)

I stepped up from my lovely little Contessa to a Douglas 31 but I'm finding it's a bit more boat than I want so I'm going back to my beloved Virago (never sold her...).  The Douglas is a 1981 built by J&C Fibrecrafts in Orillia, Ontario, Canada.  She is the big sister to a JJT Contessa with similar hull shape and 10 opening ports etc. She has a lovely all teak interior. 

I bought her from the original owners that had her custom built.  The boat was well cared for but suffered from some neglect as the owners aged and I've been catching up with her care. The Palmer Marine gas engine is a marinized International Cub tractor engine with parts with parts available through auto parts and tractor supply retailers. It has been completely reworked and runs smoothly and reliably. I replaced and/or rebedded all the through hull fittings and sea cocks, and most of the deck fittings. Rebuilt the engine water pump, replaced the exhaust, serviced the carb. I also took the steering apart to clean and lubricate it.  I put in a new foot operated galley water pump.  The head works fine.  The sails are original I think but set well and still have life in them.  There is a new furler that came with it but I didn't use it, being a hank-on gal.  Anyway, if you're interested contact me via my email as I am rarely on this site anymore.  Actually, I'm rarely online....  Selkie Lass would be a good boat for a Contessa fan looking for a bit more boat.  $19,500. Canadian dollars.  The boat is on Georgian Bay, in Ontario.

3

(2 replies, posted in For Sale)

Hey guys! This is totally random as I haven't been on here for years, and here you are.  I never had Virago for sale.  I was thinking about it and fishing around for ideas on prices, but I never did sell it.  As a matter of fact, I stepped up to a Douglas 31 but did not sell my Contessa as I was not certain that I was making the right decision, and now I'm going to sell the Douglas to go back to Virago. She is a tiny, perfect boat.  I saw Tern, that Halcyon 27, going up the highway on a trailer the other day.  I know you had admired it years ago, any chance you picked her up?  If so, nice choice!  I don't have a computer at home and am rarely online, but if you want to chat I'm in the little phone book under Wiarton (coz I live there now).

4

(1 replies, posted in Technical)

After 30 years the gear box on Virago finally started to slip while away on an extended cruise.  Frantic searching on line by many people failed to come up with replacement parts. However, once I got home, my favourite diesel guru repaired it for me.  This was a minor miracle as replacement drive cones could not be found.  The cones were badly glazed so the friction faces were full of gunk. My diesel deity took the g.b. off and took it back to his shop where he cleaned the cones.  Once refitted the gear box works as new and should last until I am too old to sail.  An encouraging word for those of us with aging diesels.  It wasn't cheap because of the labour, but it got the drive system going again.  I guess the takeaway from this is that only one mechanic in quite a few knew that the cones could be cleaned and knew how to do it.  It can be done! In the mean time I got to practice some fancy-pants sailing in crap weather and tight places.

5

(0 replies, posted in Technical)

After 30 years the gear box on Virago finally started to slip while away on an extended cruise.  Frantic searching on line by many people failed to come up with replacement parts. However, once I got home, my favourite diesel guru repaired it for me.  This was a minor miracle as replacement drive cones could not be found.  The cones were badly glazed so the friction faces were full of gunk. My diesel deity took the g.b. off and took it back to his shop where he cleaned the cones.  Once refitted the gear box works as new and should last until I am too old to sail.  An encouraging word for those of us with aging diesels.  It wasn't cheap because of the labour, but it got the drive system going again.  I guess the takeaway from this is that only one mechanic in quite a few knew that the cones could be cleaned and knew how to do it.  It can be done! In the mean time I got to practice some fancy-pants sailing in crap weather and tight places.

I use my water tank in the bow for a vast array of salty snack foods and crackers.  It's amazing how many bags of Cheezies you can get in there.  I put my water in plastic jugs in the lockers on either side under the V berth.  I did, however, clean out the poop tank on Virago and can put lots of cans and bottles down there too.

Last summer I got goofing around with sheet-to-tiller steering techniques and, as we all know or can guess, the Co 26 is a crackerjack for this as they balance so very well.  If anyone is interested in playing with self-steering, look for a copy of the book "Self-Steering Without a Windvane" by Lee Woas.  Sadly it's long out of print.  John Letcher's book is often quoted as the self-steering bible but it can be rather technical.  Woas' book is based on his own experiences trying a number of techniques developed by other sailors including Letcher, Guzzwell, and other small boat voyagers.  The book is illustrated with photos and drawings and makes it all quite fun and easy.  I'll be trying more this coming summer.

8

(6 replies, posted in Cruising)

oops posted it twice....

9

(6 replies, posted in Cruising)

Virago has the 25 lb plow she came with on the bow, a 30 lb Bruce in a locker, a 20 lb folding grapnel in the bilge and a sea anchor/drogue on board. Bow anchor has 30 ft chain and about 155 ft nylon braid rode and has never failed me.  Bruce had been used on another boat with good results.  I keep chain and rope rode ready for the Bruce or grapnel and a third nylon rode for the drogue.  The grapnel is for hooking onto rocks or round cobbles on the upper Great Lakes in case of an emergency with no anchorage handy.  I have as many ways to stop my boat as make it go.  Having more that one anchor is important for several reasons, though I may be a bit overboard on that!

10

(5 replies, posted in Wanted)

Thanks for the information Scott.  I saw your boat years ago when it sailed into my local marina on Georgian Bay and it's one of the reasons I have a Co. now.  Virago was owned all its life by the same couple until they got too old for it and I bought it.  The net result is that it is in really good shape despite its age because it was used quite lightly.  Specifically, the engine is the original Bukh but it runs perfectly, though if these boats were repowered it was likely to get more HP.  It's funny how some owners repower and others de-power as in ditch the diesel altogether.  I, too, was thinking of having my steel cradle turned into a trailer but as I may be leaving the boat, or leaving WITH the boat, the trailer may not be worth me spending the money.   I'm curious to know why would you seek another JJT if you already have one?  Was Dharma Rose "rode hard and put away wet"?

11

(5 replies, posted in Wanted)

Thanks for the information Scott.  I saw your boat years ago when it sailed into my local marina on Georgian Bay and it's one of the reasons I have a Co. now.  Virago was owned all its life by the same couple until they got too old for it and I bought it.  The net result is that it is in really good shape despite its age because it was used quite lightly.  Specifically, the engine is the original Bukh but it runs perfectly, though if these boats were repowered it was likely to get more HP.  It's funny how some owners repower and others de-power as in ditch the diesel altogether.  I, too, was thinking of having my steel cradle turned into a trailer but as I may be leaving the boat, or leaving WITH the boat, the trailer may not be worth me spending the money.   Virago is the evolution with the anchor locker, opening ports etc.  I'm curious to know why would you seek another JJT if you already have one?  Was Dharma Rose "rode hard and put away wet"?

12

(2 replies, posted in For Sale)

I am thinking of selling mine.  Please see post in the "wanted" section...it will all make sense when you see that ad.

13

(5 replies, posted in Wanted)

Thinking about, repeat ONLY THINKING ABOUT selling my '85 JJT with inboard diesel.  Newly married to man in Scotland so heading across the pond.  May sail boat over and use it there, or sail on his boat full time, or buy a single-hander over there for me to use.  The reason this is in the "wanted" section is that I want to know what these are selling for.  Anybody bought a similar boat lately, or sold one, or know someone who has?  Mine is hull no. 326 and was on the shop floor along side the lately lost Varuna.

14

(0 replies, posted in Wanted)

Thinking about, repeat ONLY THINKING ABOUT selling my '85 JJT with inboard diesel.  Newly married to man in Scotland so heading across the pond.  May sail boat over and use it there, or sail on his boat full time, or buy a single-hander over there for me to use.  The reason this is in the "wanted" section is that I want to know what these are selling for.  Anybody bought a similar boat lately, or sold one, or know someone who has?  Mine is hull no. 326 and was on the shop floor along side the lately lost Varuna.

15

(3 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)

Absolutely worth having.  This conversation has happened before - use the search function to look for the thread.

16

(5 replies, posted in Wanted)

Doors were removed for a reason, mine included.  The bifold ones always shake free and slam.  Use a curtain.

Hi Brian,
If you do a search on this website re: storm jibs, or just scroll back through the sails section, you'll find a thread about the indisputable value of storm jibs.  Do not sell your storm jib (if it's not too late!).  It may be the sail that lets you save your boat some day, or get through the blow you think you won't get caught in.  You can hoist it without a stay if it has a wire luff, or have a sail maker put webbing straps with snaps on it so it can go around your rolled headsail, but keep it handy.  Roller furled headsails are not suitable for use in very high winds.  Having said all that, is the 80% still available? I'd be quite interested in that one.  If you're insisting on selling the storm jib, I may take it as a back-up to the one I have, and use, now.

I'm out of Canada right now but I assume from your notes that you live in Ontario so somewhat close to me when I'm there.  Also, you should know that I'm not on line very often so this could be a slow conversation!

Jordan!  Nice to see you've attained "Forum Elder" status.  I am in Scotland right now and all my boat stuff is in Canada.  To answer your question, I haven't flown it yet!  My intention was to fly it inside the fore triangle on it's own (no main) as per technique detailed in Lee Woas' book "Self-Steering Without a Windvane".  The idea is to keep the effort of the sail close to the middle of the boat to cut down on oscillation and to make it easier to set/strike.  Oscillation is a common complaint with twin headsail setups and can also be annoying with spinnakers if you get them too far out in front of the boat.  Woas' technique was to hoist the yard up the forestay until level with the spreaders.  My plan was to experiment with hoisting it up the front of the mast with a ring to keep it close.  The other obvious point to make is that this method was developed for self-steering by attaching the sheets to the tiller.  It is reported to be very effective for running.   I won't be back in Canada until next spring so maybe we can talk more about it then.

Hi Peter,
I'm still checking in now and then.  Sail is still hanging in my shed.

20

(3 replies, posted in Cruising)

No, I haven't spoken to him since he got back.  I don't know that he's been to the harbour since his return.  If I hear anything I'll post it.

Hi Peter,
Sorry for the slow reply - I was away from the computer for a while.  I still have the sail.  According to Lee Woas in "Self-Steering Without a Windvane", you rig a horizontal pole - any pole will do even a bamboo pole - and clip it to the forestay, then hoist it, with the sail attached, up the forestay to about the height of the spreaders.  I was planning on putting a loop of line around the mast and hoisting it up the mast to the spreaders with an extra halyard.  There was an article in Good Old Boat magazine a few issues ago written by an fellow who had a much larger boat than a Co., and a pile more money than me, who built a yard arm that is permanently mounted to the front of his mast and the square sail pulls down from in-yard furling!  Anyway, this one is here still for sale or trade.
Deb

22

(3 replies, posted in Cruising)

A fellow Contessa 26 sailor who left from the Canadian Great Lakes was rescued a couple of weeks ago 180 miles south of St. John's, NFLD.  He left from the same harbour where I keep Virago on Georgian Bay at the first of July and had made it that far.  He was hoping to spend the winter in Spain.  There is a video of the rescue, made by the search and rescue helicopter crew, posted on the CBC website but I don't know how to create a link to it.  According to the report, the waves were running high - reported 4 to 6 meters - and the boat was taking on water.  In the video you can see that his roller furling had backed off and the genoa is in tatters.  The main is not visible so don't know what's up with it.  The vessel was still floating and apparently sound when the recue happened.  Somewhere someone may find a mid-70's Co.26 in need of a little sprucing up.  The rescued sailor is reported to have been unharmed and has been released from hospital.  I know the gentleman and he is, I'm estimating, early 60s in age.

I've had an old spinnaker cut down into a square sail to experiment with.  It's an old, light weight racing spinnaker with a fine stainless steel cable running around the perimeter to prevent stretch.  I had is squared off with reinforcements and grommets added to the top corners to try as a square sail but have decided I have way too many sails right now and will likely not use it, so it's up for grabs.  I'd like the $100 I have in it, or a trade for something else useful or fun (not necessarily boat stuff).  For those of you who don't know about square sails for modern boats, Hal Roth advocated for them in place of twins for running.  They take out the quick oscillation that often plagues boats on long down wind runs and can be used for sheet-to-tiller steering.  Other long distance voyagers have spoken highly of them too, though squares have given way to spinnakers.  Anyway, this one is for sale if anyone wants to carry on the experiment.

I did the same thing a few years ago - did a "headectomy" on my '85 JJT to get rid of the smell, complication and maintenance.   I did not cut the top out of the tank but worked via the existing round hatch.  I flushed the tank with water, then filled it with water and bleach but can't recall what mix or for how long now, but the weaker the solution the less risk of doing damage, just leave it longer (I think I went with 100:1 and left it for a couple of weeks while I was away).  After pumping out the water I let it sit open for the rest of the summer and all winter as drying will kill a lot of cooties.  Then in the spring I put on heavy rubber gloves and took an old, long handled barbeque scraper and reached back in the tank (face to floor, arm all the way in to the shoulder) to scrape out what was left of the (hopefully) inert dry sludge clinging back there, and there was some.  Then I repeated the bleach and water drill and wiped it out until all rags came out as clean as when they went in and let it dry again, and left it sit open for another winter.  I am satisfied that it is clean enough to use for other purposes now.  Probably could have been done a lot sooner if I had a steam cleaner but that may not have looked after the sludge.  Like Dave, I haven't decided what else to store in there, though with the slope to it I think it would make a great stash for bottled water or beer as each time you take one out, another will roll down into it's place - a gravity fed vending machine.  I've experimented with wine bottles and they stay reasonably cool.  As for leaching into the hull, the tank is lined with epoxy paint by the look of it, so I don't think I'd worry about the contents seeping into the hull.

As for the other part of the project, I too acquired a small port-a-potty.  As I am a solo sailor I also use bags that hikers use for "pack everything out" situations and simply chuck them out when I get to shore.  Operating marine heads really don't make much sense on small boats like ours, but the problem is people who are irresponsible with their waste, especially in closed water systems like lakes.  Having said that, if you choose to go "headless", you may be contravening the law.  I also understand that some sailors and/or their crew won't go without a toilet, so I dare say that's part of the decision making process.

25

(2 replies, posted in Non-Contessa Chatter)

Yes Kevin.  Has left this area south bound down the Trent river system to Lake Ont. to who knows where.  Interesting boats often contain interesting people.  "Interesting" can be good or bad, but always interesting.