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Hi Shannon - just got back up to speed on the web site - really sorry to here about your situation. As per all the other e-mails I hope it works out in the end and thanks for your advice and help. Also, (not that this helps much) but I too have a Farrymann and every year I have my mechanic look at it and he assures me that after 26 years its is in good shape and built to last for at least another 26 years. So no concrete advice but at least support. And if you arev ever in Ottawa and need a sail on a Contessa 26 give me a shout.
Cheers.
Ivan Ross
Morava #266
My sails are 25 years old and the main sail is very baggy. Have not yet went out any got any quotes but about 15 years ago my father had a storm jib made by Andrew Soper - the storm jib is still in very good shape and I don't remember the price - though it must have been reasonable if my father bought from them. Andrew Soper is involved in a company called Kingston Sail Loft - you might want to get in touch with them -of course they are in Kingston - jcsails@kingston.net
Ivan Ross
As the others have indicated a good boat for Great Lake sailing. For ten years our boat (1980)was on Lake Ontario and in the St. Lawrence Thousand Islands - it can be a bit cramped for four (two adults and two kids) but we managed fine. The one thing to keep in mind is that the boat draws four feet and has a full keel so in some instances it can be a bit harder to sneak into secluded cove/bay etc... Other than that, for the value the boat over the last 25 years has performed very well.
Ivan Ross
I have this mounted on the tiller - very useful and helpful for those afternoon sails - only thing that needs replacing is the rope after a couple of years - fraying will occur - but a minor problem given the benefits - I would certainly recommend it.
Ivan Ross
Hi Shannon - could I also get a copy of the Burgee - I would actually like to get one made for this summer.
Many thanks.
Ivan Ross
I too have the exact same ladder in the same location - though I do have to take off the last wooden step as it rubs against the rail quite a bit when the ladder is in use - could be just mine given how it was positioned on the stern.
Ivan Ross "Morava" #266
Not that I can help with your question - but I have a 1980 with the same exact engine and I seem to have the same problem - always started like a charm but at the end of this season noticed same problems you mentioned.
My boat was at Collins Bay until it moved to Ottawa in 1990.
Ivan Ross "Morava" #266
If you hit the St. Lawrence next summer and do the great lakes over the summer you will have a great trip - very beautiful - and you can make it up to Thunder Bay by the fall and I would suggest instead of wintering there, you could get your boar hauled over to the west cost in the fall and continue on sailing or winter in Britsih Columbia without worrying to much about the winter weather. Average temperature druing winter months in Vancouver/Victoria is 6c (with the odd snowfall) while in Thunder Bay it could average -30c. I liked your suggestion - a unique way to cross the continent other than the Panama canal.
Ivan Ross JJT 266 "Morava"
Thanks to you both for your ideas. Of course I have procrastinated all season and have not undertaken this job. Shannon, with your once a month routine and the light sanding, are you building up a base of cetol and then do you notice any flaking at all - also what is the attraction of using cetol?
I am also on the look out for some copper wool - I think I can find some in my Dad's workshop.
Ivanross
I think I have the same setup as Shannon - but only two reef points. However, I also wouldn't mind seeing some pictures of your set up.
Cheers.
Ivanross
This might be an obvious question, but does anyone know the name and number of the Last JJT boat built - was it in 1990?
For that matter when was the last Rogers one built?
IR
I like to think that the Contessa holds its price (at least over the last 25 years) extemely well. I seem to recall when my father bought the boat new in 1980, he paid $25,000, which of course inclued two jibs, one main sail and a brand new Farymann engine. He later sold the boat without much modification ten years later in 1990 - he kept the boat and engine in good condition and added a storm jib. In 1990, he sold it for $23,000. When I bought the boat back in 2003, I paid $14,500 for it (a recent survey had been done and the hull, decks and spars were in good shape). Furthermore lots of "upgrades" had been added, but still orginal sails and engine. I agree with Merrill in that the price is really based on the condition and the "upgrades" (new sails, reconditioned engine etc...)
Ivanross
Does anyone have any ideas on how to properly maintain the teak on the deck. Right now everything has a coat or two of Cetol on it and it is flaking off - it looks lousy. My orginal inclination is to sand all of the teak down to get the Cetol off and start using teak oil.
Any suggestions.
Ivanross
Hi Nigel - one quick question - I have PBO June edition and looked at pages 100 and 101 - no picture of "Rosina of Beaulieu" - was it the 2004 edition perhaps - or maybe I have a North American version of PBO - just curious as it would be interesting to see a picture of this boat.
Cheers.
Ivanross
Hi Benoit:
I recently looked into the costs associated with putting in a new inboard diesel engine from a Yanmar dealer in Toronto - a brand new engine alone could cost anywhere from $5,500 to $6,000 and then if you hire some one to install it, quotes could range anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 defending on what is required.
If you look at the "Bika" web site, it looks as if they are planning to sail around the world with an outboard engine - as for the actualy sailing it should be no problem.
Just some thoughts.
Ivan Ross "Morava" #266
I believe I have a simple question: I have a leak coming from the Starboard side into the head and ice chest, I understand that the common culprit is usually the stanchions or the shrouds o both - so what would you use to seal these leaks, unscrew the plates and re-bed them but what type of material would be used? As for process any suggestions?
Thanks.
Ivanross.
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