I have 3 of these, manual type, which inflate via a pressurized gas cartridge (pull on a ring) or with a backup inflatable tube you breath into. I prefer these over automatic inflating vests which sometimes inflate on their own, at the worst moments of course. I used them for coastal sailing on the Great Lakes and liked them because they were comfortable to wear. These life vests were bought for onboard guests so have only been worn occaisionally by same. West Marine says that the gas inflation cartridges and bobbins should be replaced. I bought the vests about 5 years ago, I believe. As I recollect price, new, was $99.
One vest has been inflated so it needs a replacement gas cartridge and bobbin, obtainable from West Marine for a few dollars. (Look at the 2009 West Marine Catalog p 114 "Coastal Comfort Manual inflatable Life Vest" ad for a similar vest.) The 2009 West Marine Catalogue says these vests "service interval" is two years by which I believe they mean that the gas cartridges and bobbins should be replaced every two years.
I inflated one of the vests in June of 2009, just out of curiosity to see how it worked (it did! I did inflate it by mouth last week and it has held air for many days). They are in good condition, always stored in dry lockers. I've sold my Contessa so I won't be needing these vests anymore. They are for medium size persons over 80 lbs.
I'll sell the two with unused inflation cartridges for $40 each plus shipping.
I'll sell the one without an inflation cartridge for $25 plus shipping.
email me if you have questions.
captnemo@ku.edu
1 2009-08-16 17:31:10
Topic: Sospenders-style life vests, West Marine brand, manual type (0 replies, posted in For Sale)
2 2009-08-13 14:39:02
Topic: Mainsheet traveler mounts for stern of Contessa (1 replies, posted in For Sale)
I have a pair of welded stainless mounts for a Contessa mainsheet stern-mounted traveler. These mounts are intended to be placed on the little aft deck of a 1973 Contessa 26 and will elevate the traveler about 6-8" above the aft-deck level. It was custom made some years ago by an excellent welder who worked from engineering-quality plans. They are made from very good quality stainless. I obtained the plans somewhere around 2003-4 more or less, from a Contessa Forum member who designed them and published them on the Tech Forum. The pictures and drawings of these mounts are no longer on the Forum as far as I can find, nor can I recall the name of the designer. I never used them since I already had a traveler mounted across the cockpit ... tho I thought it would be nice to not have to step over it, it worked really well and so the job never got done ....I'd rather sail than mess with remodeling. NOTE: THESE ARE ONLY MOUNTS FOR A TRAVELER, NOT THE TRAVELER MECHANISM AND LINES THEMSELVES! And, there are no backing plates included. Price is $75 for the pair plus shipping.
everard
3 2009-08-13 13:57:45
Re: door to head (9 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
I made a curtain for the head for my Contessa. I bought a washable piece of material I liked at the local fabric shop. I sewed a 1" hem across the top, so it would be easy to insert a little 1/4" wide spring across the width of the material. The spring is the kind which has each each end bent into an open ended hook --(like on an old fashioned screen door) -- you can still buy them at Ace Hardware. I bought four small cup hooks (with screw-in ends--also at Ace Hdware) and inserted one into each of the four topcorners of the space between the hanging locker and the stool. If a person wants privacy they just shift the curtain to a set of cup hooks so that it hangs in a way that puts them out of sight. Out of sound, you might ask? Well, we're talking boats here. (final note: sew a 6" seam across the bottom of the curtain to avoid raveling and be sure you use enough width to let the curtain gather into pleats ... it's easier since you don't have to be so exact and it looks better I think.
everard
4 2007-02-09 15:47:37
Topic: 11 issues of BOATBUILDER MAGAZINE, Jounal of Boat Design/Construction (0 replies, posted in Wanted)
Interesting, worthwhile articles on boat construction by very famous experts and sailboat designers: Dave Gerr, Fred Bingham Jay Benford, George Buehler and Gary Mull, among others. Written for amateurs, very readable. Particularly good on building sailboat interiors. Semimonthly, Vol 5 #2-5 (1987), vol 6 (1988) #1-6, Vol7 (1989) #1. $20 (U.S.) plus shipping from USA zip code 66044.
Donald E. Chambers 785-843-5805 (call and I'll give you an email address)
5 2007-02-09 15:30:56
Topic: FOR SALE: PRACTICAL SAILOR sailing magazine, 1984-2006 issues (0 replies, posted in Wanted)
Here's the best sailing magazine I know of for those who do their own boat work on gently aging boats. Answers to most sailboat problems in these 200+ issues of articles by experts on repairing/restoring sailboats and equipment. It's been my faithful guide for my work on my Contessa all these years. Topics include sails, standing rigging, anchors, navigation equipment, electronics, galley stoves, refrigeration, auto and self-steering as well as detailed instruction on repair and installation of same. Other topics are engine problems, head problems, installing new and rebuilt engines, rebuilding water and fuel tanks and heads; repairing and repainting gel goat/hulls, deck surfaces, inspecting/installing new standing rigging and masts, etc. Many scientific-like tests of sailboat equipment contrasting various manufacturers offerings. Also there are many reviews of used boats, classics and otherwise.
$40 (U.S.) plus shipping (15 lbs). Donald E. Chambers, 785-843-5805 (call and I'll give you an email address).
6 2005-08-06 14:32:29
Re: Boarding ladder location (9 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
Bramsay said in his post on boarding ladders that he needed the ladder to extend "well into the water." Yes, indeed. I installed a boarding ladder when I discovered I could no longer haul myself onto the deck of my Contessa from the water. I'd suggest that folks need to actually test out how deep into the water the ladder needs to extend. When I installed my stern ladder I discovered that my aging body needs to have a step about 24-30" below the water level. In my 70s, 190lbs but still in reasonably good shape, I can't physically haul my body onto the ladder if the bottom step is any higher. And the rungs of the ladder need to be flattened as full weight on a round metal step is literally painful.
7 2005-08-06 13:53:44
Topic: Water Tank (1 replies, posted in Repairs/Modifications/Upgrades)
Christopher ...
The water tank on my 1973 Contessa (#61) was pumping out tiny chips of white stuff, like old flaking paint or perhaps chipping fibreglass. I could've re-epoxied the inside but I hate working inside with all those chemicals, not to mention working upside down trying to insure that everthing was coated.
So I installed A FLEXIBLE WATER TANK -- Plastimo, 6 gallons purchased on the web for about $48 I think (www.plastimo, etc), their smallest. They also have a 10 gallon but I don't really need that. These water tanks are built of very heavy material and have a heavy duty outer cover that keeps the chafe away from the rubberized tank. The fittings are also impressive -- good quality, nicely fitted heavy plastic. I was persuaded when I learned that Alaskan fishermen routinely use Plastimo flexible tanks for their fresh water supply ... and sometimes for spare diesel supply. (hmmm)
The six gallon fit fine inside the old tank. I cut the existing 6" diameter inspection hole to 10" (ooops, was it 12"?) and installed a new plastic inspection port, readily available from any marine store/supplier, the kind that screws into a base that, itself, is screwd into the top of the water tank. I rolled the flex tank tightly so it could get into the tank, unrolled it once inside and flattened it out. I then attached the intake and output hose fittings (should've done that before I inserted the tank, sigh). Then I attached the input and outflow hoses (using stainless hose clamps), filled the tank and watched for leaks. I used the existing deck mounted fill hose since it was handy to fill the tank via a deck plate from a gas dock hose. The Plastimo fill-fittings accomodate only a 3/4" hose, I believe, while the old deck fill hose was about 1 1/2" so I pushed a new 3/4" hose thru the old hose.
The flexible tank has worked fine, sans leaks.
Don Chambers (captnemoATku.edu)