Search options (Page 4 of 11)

I am no expert but I'll share my observations:

Start by going sailing in heavy air for an afternoon and play around with different sail combinations and different points of sail.  Don't forget to try heaving-to as well, so that you know what is necessary for this manoeuver to be stable with different sail arrangements.

From a practical viewpoint, tri-sails are often left rigged on the mast ready to go.  This means more clutter on the mast, more fittings and ropes and the like, and more weight and windage on deck.  The compromise of a small heavy main instead of a tri-sail makes great sense because no additional hardware is required.  *BUT*, it requires changing the mainsail entirely in a lumpy sea and strong winds.

The mainsail on our boats is small to begin with, and I find that I skip the first reef and go right to the second when reefing.  Perhaps others have more experience using a single reef.  If two reefs in the main and a storm jib are too much sail then I would be thinking about taking down the main or the jib (or both) entirely.  There is a surprising amount of windage just from the furled main and its cover --

Were I buying sails today I would buy a main with two reefs, but make them deeper (taller?).  The effect would be a third reef but would not require me to fit extra reefing hardware.  This option seems preferable to a tri-sail because it means less to deal with.  Alternatively, I could just go with three reefs and only set up jiffy reefing for two and keep the third reef point as an option.  I acknowledge that making the upper part of the sail strong enough for a blow may hurt its light-air performance. 

Think about your headsails and how you will manage them in rising winds.  They are a complication that you will have to face more often than you will need the tri-sail.

Finally, the best argument against a tri-sail is that it leaves your budget intact so that you have more money to put towards self-steering.  For cruising of any distance, self-steering is THE best money you can spend (I like the Cape Horn myself).  One could put up second hand rags from a different boat and the Contessa will still go forward.  Self-steering is like having a reliable and well paid helmsman with you 24/7, rain or shine.

Thanks for the great question.  More entertaining than work!

Handsome boat.  I love the mooring bit and the seat in the pulpit!

You are wise to get numbers before you buy the boat Adrian.  It may be better to pay more for a local boat than to buy one far away and pay a huge transportation bill.

If your boat is on a trailer, then you will have more options.  Also, keep in mind that trailers do not do well 'sitting'.  You might find a Contessa on a trailer and find that you have to put a couple of thousand dollars into getting it roadworthy.

I recently helped a friend move a Beneteau 32s from Nova Scotia to Montreal.  I went through U-Ship which is like eBay for trucking and had good success.  U-Ship is helpful as the carriers/haulers bid on your job.

Here is the full-style for the guys who worked for us this year:

Service provider: proboat
Name: BOTHWELLBOAT WORKS
Email address: kopriva@mnsi.net
Phone: (519) 436-4984
Secondary phone: (519) 785-2498

These guys were formal and professional and did a great job.  They operate several trucks hauling boats around North America.

Christopher

Like Jordan, I've shoehorned two batteries beneath the companion way steps.  And similarly, I also have no battery boxes.  I wonder if there is a tough rubber bag which could be used to enclose the batteries.  Or, as suggested, just switch to gels and be done with it.

My engine seacock is also accessed at this trap door.  In fact, were it removed I might be able to squeeze in a third battery.  Of course I bash the seacock each time I lift the battery in and out of the boat so it is a less than ideal arrangement.

Losing oil into the exhaust suggests bad rings.  Odd though, because rings bad enough to lose a lot of oil would reduce your compression and the engine would run badly.  There might even be some blow-by into the crank case and your crank-case vent should be full of engine exhaust. 

Any chance the oil you see is actually uncombusted diesel?   If your injector is not spraying properly a portion of the fuel may not be consumed when the piston fires.  The engine may still run but may be wasting part of the fuel.

Were I you I would start by pulling the injector and having a pro check the nozzle.  You can pull the injector in about a minute and it is less than $100 to fix it.  Money well spent if you avoid a rebuild.

From what I understand, injectors are the weak link in our diesels and checked and serviced regularly.

Christopher

Thanks to you both!

Congratulations on your new Contessa!

I wish I could get to your trailer...  Vancouver Island is a long way from Montreal unfortunately. 

Please kindly send or post more pictures as your trailer may have ideas which might help others (namely myself!) build something similar.

Christopher

p.s Looks like another Contessa in the background!

Look at your past use of the boat -- if you spent most of your time fixing the boat (like I seem to do), or sitting on it after work, position the boat close to home.  If you sailed every weekend for overnight trips and you have a lust for adventure, then position her on Lake Ontario or in the Thousand Islands.  Brockville lies on a narrow part of the river and it is a jog to get to more open water for longer sails.  Kingston would be great but is a relatively long drive from Ottawa.

Also, do not underestimate the drives in Ottawa or the surroundings -- you will contend with traffic depending on your schedule.

Were it me I would consider a compromise -- plan on two to three seasons exploring the upper Ottawa river.  Then, if schedule and logistics permit, shift the boat down closer to Lake Ontario.

Christopher

Thanks for this!  Very interesting.