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Yikes!  The fire thing with alcohol is a tad scary, as you can't really see the flame if the fluid gets loose.  A good lesson why to keep burner down lower while underway, or have to watch it...fire is fire, hey?!

I think I will have to light mine underway for long trips, but would watch it and hope to hell it was ok...mine is the Origo 3000 non-press. but is set very low into the opening, not against bulkhead, and there is fibreglass liner around, and lots of room around it, kind of like if you wanted you could build a giant icebox in the same spot - or install a big diesel stove!
When I don't use the stove, a large teak cover fits over the whole area and that is my "chart table"!

So, Stefan, what type of stove will you get?!
And thanks for sharing all your insights, very valuable!  We never know what's under or in our boats until we rip them apart!  I do like the open concept...makes it look like a mega yacht down below! ;-)  And thanks again for the many pics, they are now part of my Boat Pictures file on my computer!  And your dad sounds like the greatest!

Hi everyone!  Now, who did I send reef pics to?  Ivan, I can't e-mail you directly from this site, I think Adrian and the first Mark got them, shall I send to Ivan and Mark Smith?! ;-)
I like the loosefooted main, I find the sail gets flatter, but I'm a newbie sailor so what do I know!  I find it easy to reef with my simplistic system, and I have taught myself all I know about my boat, and always sail her singlehanded, so I guess everything works?! ;-]  As far at the third reef goes, I am going to rig it to work with the other reef cringles, as I dont' have room for a third line to go into the boom to the mast, so will likely make the first reef the second and rig the second reef lines to the third...so basically, the first reef will then be a good one (as will really be the second) but that will be ok for offshore, as the first reef is so minor anyways, that if it's time to reef in our boats, we may as well REEF!

Wow!  You guys are amazing!!!  Nina & Henrik, I follow your "websalbum" and am totally inspired by your trip!
I am not sure about the great lakes area, but I live in Vancouver, and to truck a boat from Thunder BAy (or area) to Vancouver is actually done all the time by all kinds of boats.  So that part is simple...the cost would be about $2,500 - $3,000 Canadian Dollars or so...I had priced it out when looking for a Contessa 26 before I found mine out here!  If you need any help with boat transport companies or contact information, I would be happy to help you from Vancouver in any way I can!  My e-mail: shannonrae@telus.net  I can give you more contact information if you e-mail me,  if you need!  If you need information of any kind on Vancouver area, etc. again, I am here if you  need!!

While she's on the hard, I'm going to replace gasket in my engine hatch, use good rubber washers, and re-gasket all lockers, then flood the cockpit and measure how long it takes to drain, as well as how much water it holds....I think Merrill is right (well, I actually know he's right, but can't really say that, can I?!) as if you cut new cockpit drains higher up, you now have a new ingress for water, as the old ones are below water line (and crossed) so that keeps water out...it's how they have to be.  If you have a check valve, what is going to fail: the check valve - just when you need it most.  So you will have water coming in and out, therefore it won't drain?!  I would say if anything, just make what you have bigger.  That's what I am thinking of doing. 
Suggestions?  Merrill??
Speaking of check valves....I am going to investigate mine on the engine exaust port....as I don't want water coming up to my rebuilt$$$ engine that way!!!  I'm thinking of a removable plug, plugging it right up for offshore....with a big red sign on the engine controls when it is plugged off!!!

Oh, was that damage to the mast step there??  What happened, and how did you fix it?
You have done an amazing job of fixing the fibreglass openings ;-)  in the boat!!  And you are right, plywood for a core is the worst.... you cut yours right out, didn't you?  Did you replace with marine ply? Or just big slabs o' glass?  I am going to enlarge the pics at home, sneakingly looking at them all at the office here!
Thanks again, and yes, we are crazy about our boats! ;-)

Kristin;
Just make sure you have a loop so the water can't come back in when you are helled, I mean heeled! over...the loop is in between thru-hull and pump.  I'm not sure about the float switch setup, as I only have manual...but just check it by pouring some clean soapy water down the bilge!

Thanks for your feedback.  I had investigated all you guys mentioned.  I had liked the Pacific wind pilot...also, how did you mount the Cape Horn?!  I had liked it the most, but didn't want something offset...personal preference...
However, I did end up finding a used (but pretty well new) Navik, and am thrilled!  I will be hauling her out of the water to put it on, and then....who knows where I'll go!
Thank you all for your responses and pictures!
Shannon/RHIANNON

Can send you a scupper picture if you like from my RHIANNON.

What would be everyone's pick for a windvane for their Contessa 26?  I know Monitors are proven, but seem quite big and over sized? 
I have seen the Walter Murray "build it yourself" site, and even though I have belief in my abilities, I know nature doesn't....
The Cape Horn is tidy for non-transom-hung rudder, but at least on the 26, the Cape Horn is better proportioned, it too is proved (Jean du Sud)
The Navik is being discontinued, but still avail through ScanMar, who also sell the Monitor.  Navik is cheaper, but one has to fabricate own mounting system - so might as well buy one already set up to install, in my case anyways.  Sailomat is another option...
However, a tidy trim-tab system seems the most sensible option...the Vectavane used by David Rainsbury on Piper, his Co26 seems simple and sensible, and was based on Hasler's principle.  I am leaning towards this one.
The AutoSteer by Hydravane used by D.Dunnigan (?) (review on Pocketcruisers) also seems ok.
The Hyrovane (dealer right here in VAncouver, B.C.) is horridly expensive: $6,600 Can!!!  so that will likely rule it out.

Opinions, feedback? Thank you.