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A guy in my yacht club runs a business arranging for boatowners to swap boats for vacations letting them sail in different areas for less than the cost of chartering. The concept got me thinking that Contessa 26 owners could arrange some great boat swaps taking into account how many boats are around and the wide choice of areas the boats are scattered over.

Swapping with another Contessa 26 owner gives you the advantage of knowing the boat you are getting into even if the sailing grounds are different. I'm sure a lot of North Americans would love to sail in Europe or the U.K. (or even other parts of North America) and likewise there must be some U.K. or European owners who would like to sail the Great Lakes or the Pacific or Atlantic coasts.

Boatswaps would not have to happen at the same time, in fact it is advantageous to have the boat owner around while the visitors are on the boat to give support and advice. Here in Canada our insurance covers lending our boats to anyone we decide is capable so there's no additional expense....I'd be interested to learn how that works for owners in the U.S or U.K.

So I'm putting this out to all as a suggestion for any feedback. Personally its been years since I sailed the South Coast of England or the West of Scotland and if this could work I would be happy to try it. My home sailing grounds are the Gulf Islands on the Pacific West coast of British Columbia if anyone has ever wondered what sailing in these sheltered waters is like.

Too late. She's gone.

Kristin, Best buy right now in GPS are Garmin monochrome screen GPS/Sounder units like the 188 or 168. Nearly everyone(like WestMarine) is selling them off at 60% or 70% off as they are discontinued but you'll get a full warranty and if they fail you'll get a color one to replace it. Good deal if its what you're after. Whatever you go for Garmin units are definitely the popular choice.

If you are looking for top quality sails at a reasonable price look at the British sailmakers. The Canadian Dollar is under $2 to the pound right now and by exporting the sails you pay no British taxes.
I bought a new performance main($1200) and furling genoa($800) recently from Ivan Bole at Arun Sails in the UK and can't recommend them highly enough(www.sailmakers.com). Ivan made me a performance main in Tan when no one around here would. Try getting Tan sails in Canada and they want to charge extra.
Yes it is scary doing your own measurements and hoping the sails won't come cut short, but mine came perfectly sized and made. If you have a Rogers boat the sails are usually smaller so the price would be less.
Tip for buying in England....order during the London Boat Show(first 2 weeks in Jan) or the Southampton Boat Show(first two weeks in Sep) and get the discount rates they give at show time.

Some more JJTs that you don't seem to have John.

1985 330 Virunga- Vancouver BC(Currently under repair at Sidney BC)
1974   ?   Ceilidh- NB
1974   ?   Fairbourne- KS
1975   ?   Phoenix- Halifax NS
1976   ?   Nana- Mexico
1976   ?   Teal III- MA