26

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

Any tips on replacing a cutlass bearing?  The one on my 76 JJT seems to be pressed with no set screws and I’m assuming they all came that way.
I pretty much have the shaft out and wanted to see what others have done before getting out the hammer.

28

(10 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

Thanks Jordan.  I’ve decided to build an integral tank under the port side quarter berth.  How big it will be remains the question. Right now I’m thinking about maximum of 35 gal / 130 liters and if necessary, carry more in 5 gal portable containers.
I’m in the middle of a major refit and will probably not get to that part until later this year.

Has anyone relocated the cockpit scupper drains to go through the transom instead of the hull?

Yes, there are two screws going horizontally into the mast foot from the mast. I may put a little lubricant on the foot to make it slide on/off easier.

A view of the extended hinge.  Yes, I need to do some gel coat repair around the mortise.
I will rig some guy-lines to the mast when raising and will post more pictures of the process at that point.

Step 6:
From below the deck, I installed the other shims (not visible in the photo below) and a piece of teak over the shims to spread the load.  The teak may not be necessary since the load may have been already spread between the small plates on the two deck eyes.
Lastly, I cut off the bottom of the deck eyes and filed rough edges to be flush with the nuts.

Step 5:
Drilled holes in the base plate and matching holes in the mast foot.  Tapped threads in the mast foot holes and used stainless steel screws to attach the base plate to the mast foot.  I broke many drill bits trying to get through the stainless steel base plate.
Assembled the mast hinge to the deck and trimmed the base plate where necessary for a proper fit.  Note the shims under the deck eyes.

Step 4:
After drilling the four holes into the deck for the deck eyes, I did a dry fit of the hinge to the mortise on the deck and found the base plate needed to be slightly longer.  I found that the best solution to this problem was to shim the deck eyes on an angle towards the mast from the top and bottom of the deck.  I used some 1/8” slices cut on an angle from a HDPE cutting board (also left over from another boat project).

Step 3:
Using a 4” cutting disc on an angle grinder, I cut out the rectangle for the mast tenon on the base plate.  I also cut the side of the plate to form the hinge.  Filed and sanded all rough edges.
The deck eyes that I used are on the left.

Step 2:
Transferred the templated to the base plate.  Note the block of HDPE that I used in one of the following steps.

Step 1:  Drew up a paper template of bottom of the mast foot. The tabernacle hinge base plate is shown in the picture.  Disregard the drawing on the right, it was for plans that I abandoned.

I’ve put together a DIY mast hinge for single handed raising/lowering which is similar to the one in the tech notes, but utilizes parts I had on hand (no cost project).  This version is rock solid and I believe it will be a bit steadier at the hinge.
List of parts that I used:
1. Tabernacle hinge base plate 6.5” x 3.5” x 1/8" thick: I had this left over from another boat project, but I believe they are available from rig-rite as a top and bottom assembly.  I have also seen some on eBay.
I suppose one could just fabricate the base plate with some 1/8" stainless and use a vise to make the bends.
2. Two stainless steel deck eyes (U-bolts)
3. HDPE cutting board: used for shims since the base plate I had was a hair too short.
4. Four stainless steel screws
5. A small piece of teak to spread the load: May be overkill, but I did it anyway.

That area under the sole in my boat curves down to only about 8 inches wide and maybe 9 or 10 inches high. Is that the same size as yours, or is it much bigger than that? My batteries are also in there, but closer to the center.

42

(10 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

No outboard, just oars. The boat itself only weighs 53 pounds, so it may work out.

43

(10 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

I was thinking about a DIY pushpit mounted type like this one. As long as the transom light is visible, it would work.  Of course if I mount windvane steering, then all bets are off.

44

(5 replies, posted in Wanted)

Thanks, but that's a bit of a drive.  I'm in South Jersey.

45

(10 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

Thanks Christopher… for a very detailed reply.  This site has always been such great source of information and it’s great to see that there are still some site veterans around.
I have been to that Ronco site in the past without luck.  Trying to find the right size that will slip in as well as having the shape to match the hull has proven difficult.
I have also considered a tank in the bilge, with similar routing that you described, but in the end, it didn’t seem that I could get much volume.  What size flexible tank did you use?
Also, great idea with the water heater.  I once did something similar on a VW campervan using the engine as a heat source, but that was a closed water cooled system that used coolant to pass through a coil in the tank.  The water was a bit too hot!

Hoping that people still read this forum....
My 1976 CO26 came with the water tank removed, but based on the existing plumbing, it appears that it was directly under the sink on the port side.  Has anyone found a source for a hard sided tank?  I'd prefer hard plastic over flexible.  Pictures of your set up would be great.
Also, for those who have tanks on both sides; how are they connected to each other?

48

(1 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)

Who knows, it's possible she may have been found by now. I suppose that Tania's story is more well known on this side of the Atlantic, so if someone from Europe found her, the rest of the world may never know.

49

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

This post makes me wonder if Contessa's were grounded at the factory.  I read somewhere that they were, but never had that verified.

Nice boat, I've seen the video of Ushuaia on YouTube.   Seems to be quite an accomplished vessel and since it's a JJT model, I'm guessing its done at least one Atlantic crossing.
I did the ASA 101 course as well, it's a great way to start.