2 2007-08-07 13:22:16
Topic: We sold Tess! (sorry, not spam related) (1 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
4 2007-02-02 12:15:55
Re: How old are your sails? (55 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
I've never heard of Scott Sails but Lee's are pretty chintzy. Good luck with the decision!
6 2007-01-20 18:11:57
Re: Replacing rudder cheeks (5 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
7 2007-01-20 15:31:15
Re: Replacing rudder cheeks (5 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
Rob's going to do the '08 Singlehanded TransPac and then we'll sell her. So while it would be ideal to beef up everything, it's not going to happen. We need to make her strong enough to take a pounding on the way over (not likely) and the way back (very likely). Thanks for pointing me to smh's post - good stuff!
LD
8 2007-01-20 14:56:39
Topic: Replacing rudder cheeks (5 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
Hi all,
The rudder cheeks on Tess are checked on the top and I was thinking I'd fix them. I ran it by some wood working folks I know and they suggested just replacing them for a couple reasons: 1) it would be easier than fixing them and 2) it would be stronger, especially considering the torsion loads the cheeks carry. We have a local wood worker friend so it shouldn't be too much of a problem but I was just wondering if anyone else has done this. Anyone?
9 2007-01-19 09:25:01
Re: How old are your sails? (55 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
We have 1+3 on Tess - the top batten is full and the rest are not. Can't sail how it works though since we haven't had her out yet. Our sailmaker recommended that combo.
10 2007-01-16 10:06:07
Re: How old are your sails? (55 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
I have to agree that loose footed mains are the way to go. You have far more control of the sail. No one likes change but we've never regretted the switch - our sailmaker talked us into it, telling us he'd change it if we didn't like it. Absolutely love it! We never used to touch the outhaul, now we're always tweaking it to get the right sail shape. BTW, this is on our Crealock 37. Just bought a new main for Tess and had it loose-footed too. Check out our blog for a photo of it - keep in mind we just wanted to see it so it's not completely set up (or even raised all the way). But you can see how the loose foot overlaps the boom just a hair.
11 2007-01-10 15:12:04
Topic: Deck compression from mast (2 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
The PO did some strange stuff, as they all do, but we're discovering what the kitty litter non-skid was hiding. Apparently everything on the coach roof aft of the mast was reglassed. It's a little ugly but sturdy. No idea why but guessing delam. Inside, the liner 'bar' under the mast has a crack the entire length of it and there's a mahogany cross piece that's been installed atop the bulkhead trim pieces. The strange thing is the cross piece doesn't actually touch the overhead - there's about 1/2" of space that has been filled with a couple chunks of wood and some thickened epoxy. He also added three stringers to the overhead.
The rigging is original and has little room left to tighten. It's undoubtedly stretched but we're worried that it's more than that. There is a slight indentation at the mast step that seems to indicate compression, and the crack seems like a symptom as well. But did the PO's 'fix' fix the problem? We're hoping experienced CO owners could give us their opinions.
See our blog for the photos.
12 2007-01-10 09:53:13
Re: What's YOUR favorite bedding compound? (7 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
I would most earnestly urge you away from 5200 for anything above the waterline. It's great for many purposes (say, thru-hulls) but for bedding a handrail or hardware, it's a nightmare. All bedding compound will eventually fail. Nature of the beast. 5200 WILL take gelcoat with it - I know from painful experience. There are products you can put on it that will soften it but why not just use 4200 or better yet 4000 for topside stuff? It's made for that purpose and much easier to remove when necessary. There's not much difference between the two except that 4000 is a newer product and has UV protectant in it so it doesn't turn yellow. My two cents...
BTW, I do know a few people who've used butyl rubber to bed portlights with some success. It never gets hard but they had problems with it oozing in hot weather. You can buy it at motorhome supply stores.
13 2007-01-09 09:51:07
Re: What's YOUR favorite bedding compound? (7 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Here's a tip on sealing sealant: I always wear rubber gloves when working with the stuff (I'm a girl) and at the end I just unroll one glove while holding a finger over the nozzle - you end up with the nozzle in one of the glove fingers. Tightly tape around the nozzle about 1/4-1/2" from the tip, then squeeze goo out till the glove tip balloons up. The stuff in the glove hardens but acts as an air tight plug. We've used this technique for awhile and still get gooey goo a month or more later.
Sorry to hear about your forced silly-con usage!
LaDonna
14 2007-01-08 16:58:10
Topic: What's YOUR favorite bedding compound? (7 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
The PO seemed to be in love with silicone. That is some hateful stuff! We use 3M 4000 for just about everything above the waterline. It cures quickly, is relatively easy to remove (and doesn't take gelcoat with it, like 5200), stays flexible and watertight, and has a UV protectant in it that 4200 doesn't have. What's your favorite?
15 2007-01-05 12:41:08
Topic: What's up with these chainplates? (1 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Seems to me a silly concept, to just cut a bunch of holes in the deck and hope they don't leak or that the coring doesn't rot. But they're 'fixed' for now. We may move them to the hull as others have done but not today! We're just happy the torrent of water has stopped! :-)
16 2007-01-05 11:10:32
Re: GUESS......................WHAT............?????????????? !!!!!!!!!!! (13 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Welcome back, Shannon. I'm new here but read your old posts with much interest. My husband & I just bought an old, sad Contessa that we're hoping to bring back from the near-dead. Glad to have a little a sister in the struggle! I post updates on our progress to our blog at http:contessa26.wordpress.com. Congratulations!
LaDonna
17 2006-12-21 12:14:17
Topic: More leak fixing fun (1 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
18 2006-12-16 08:51:02
Re: Crown sail insignia (6 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
Thanks Christopher!
19 2006-12-14 13:42:55
Topic: Crown sail insignia (6 replies, posted in Sails & Rigging)
Does anyone have a digital version of the crown sail insignia? The last question about this was kind of old.
Please email to ladonna@latitude38.com
Thanks!
20 2006-12-13 16:27:57
Topic: Origo 4000 potholders and rails (0 replies, posted in Wanted)
We have an Origo 4000 that doesn't have the potholders. Anyone have spares?
LaDonna
21 2006-12-13 16:26:41
Re: To Do List (11 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Impressive list! Lots of it looks pretty easy - lots of "Buy..." items.
Rebedding the chainplates (shrouds) is near the top of our list too. We're thinking tabbing them to the hull instead which will bring up all sorts of issues. When the time comes...
Good luck!
22 2006-12-11 16:40:30
Topic: Total CO26 refit (0 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
23 2006-12-11 11:52:43
Re: ? about CO26 vs. JJT (8 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Jose,
That enema bag was used as her water tank - at least I HOPE so! The water tank was disconnected and looks like it's cracked. We're planning on installing a new tank where the engine used to be.
I have to tell you, this poor gal knew nothing about boats - she was just using it to crash on while she went to school. The rain we had this weekend would have sent the water in the bilge over the floorboards. Man, would she have had a problem then!
Worked all weekend on Tess and got lots done. I'll post a few pix and an update today.
LD
24 2006-12-11 11:48:56
Re: ? about CO26 vs. JJT (8 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Oh man, nothing's original! Sorry for that!
Shouldn't cause any problems - #1: we won't be documenting the boat and #2: even if we did, the CG wouldn't care (there are 124 'Wet Dream's documented in the US, for example). At least we're on different coasts! :-)
Thanks for the welcome!
LaDonna
25 2006-12-08 12:10:11
Re: ? about CO26 vs. JJT (8 replies, posted in General Questions/Comments)
Hi Jose,
We knew there was a Tessa in UK but didn't realize there was another so close. Now I'm *really* glad we dropped the A! Tess can just be Tessa's tomboyish American cousin! ;-)
Thanks for the welcome.
LaDonna