1

Sadly, this is one of the shortestnewsletters we have published to date,maybe because members haveproduced a great deal of material forthe 50th Anniversary Book and have run out of ideas for the newsletter!However, I should emphasise that thequality of those who have submittedarticles for the newsletter has been ashigh as ever.

On that note, a very big thank you to all those

who have responded and produced some

excellent material for the book. It is to be

entitled “Contessa 26 - The First Fifty Years” in

the anticipation that though there may not be

many of us around at the Centenary, there will

still be a large number of boats! The book has

been reviewed by the Committee with

favourable comments.

Just to remind you all that the publication of

this book has only been possible because of

Ken Virr’s widow who very generously donated

£5,000 to the Association. The book is

dedicated to Ken. The monies accrued from

the sale of the book will be used to subsidise

the 50th Anniversary Rally Weekend.

Fiona Rogers has done an enormous amount

to help with the finding of material and the

editing, and deserves a very hearty pat on the

back for all her efforts. We also have to thank

Barry Pickthall who assisted with the editing

and formating of the book, and will

subsequently be responsible for its

publication; his commitment and enthusiasm

has been way above that which one would

normally have expected and so he also

deserves a vote of thanks.

The book will be published in November this

year, in time for Christmas, and will be

available at the AGM. The first run will consist

of 300. Some of these will be going to Canada

where there are a substantial number of

Contessas and Taylors. The cost of the book

will be £15 for Association Members and £20

for others – this does not include P&P which

Issue No. 11 2015 • Website: www.contessa26.net • Email: coldavidhoulton@hotmail.com

CONTESSA 26 ASSOCIATIONNEWSLETTER JUNE 2015

Preparing for Gold!

Continued on page 2

On the beat!

2

Norman LaceyIt is with sadness that I have

to report the death of

Norman. Many of you will

remember meeting him at the

various Association events.

He was a quiet, kind and

dignified man with a special

sense of humour. As an

American he served in the

US Army and fought in the

Korean War. He then pursued

academia somewhat later in life, attending Manchester

University. After university he worked in the IT world. He

was the proud owner of Maramour. He will be missed and

our condolences go out to his wife Anita.

Committee NewsThe Minutes of the AGM held last year and those of the

Spring Committee Meeting are posted on the website.

Members are encouraged to read these. They contain

details of the decisions with regard to the 50th

Anniversary Celebrations, including the publication of

the book and other matters, such as racing, which will

be of interest.

Continued from front cover...

amounts to £3.60 for the UK. We hope to get the book reviewed by the yachting

press which should help with the sales.

If you are interested in buying a copy please fill in the form enclosed with this

newsletter and return it to me, stating how you intend to collect the book,

bearing in mind that you will not receive a copy until at the earliest the AGM

in November. We hope they will sell like hot cakes and make good

Christmas presents!

The details of the Anniversary Meet, to be held over the weekend of 29/31 July

2016 in Lymington, are published elsewhere in this Newsletter. We hope

members are beginning to make plans to attend – and wouldn’t it be appropriate

if we had fifty or more boats attending! Please complete the entry form and

return it to me as soon as possible.

You will also find details of racing events in the Newsletter and in particular those

of the National Championships to be held over the weekend 5 and 6 September

2015 at Cowes. We hope to get an even better turn out this year than last.

Incidentally, the 2016 Championships will be held at Lymington.

On another matter, I have decided to resign from the post of Class Secretary at

the AGM in 2016. Mike Harrison has agreed to “take the weight” and I am sure

he will be a first class secretary. I will, by then, have done the job for ten years

and I think it is time for a change and some new ideas. Deborah Bell and Mark

Arnold, owners of Curvaceous, have agreed to take over the Newsletter, starting

to get involved in 2016. The question as to who is to take over as Captain of

Racing will be decided at some future date.

I hope we have a fine summer this year and you all get in some good sailing.

Please do all you can to support the events over the 50th Anniversary Year.

David Houlton – Elinor

Class Secretary

This book will be available for distribution in time for the AGM

to be held on Saturday 14 November. The first edition will

consist of 300 copies. The cost of the Book will be £15 for

Association Members and £20 for Non-Members. This does

not include package and posting which for the UK will

amount to £3.60. Copies of the books will be held at Jeremy

Rogers’ offices in the Yacht Haven Marina at Lymington.

If you require a book please complete the enclosed order form and either:

1. Collect and pay for the book at the AGM or at the Rally Weekend in July;

2. Send the completed order form to David Houlton at 2 Pippin Close, Lymington, Hants SO41 3TP with a cheque to cover the cost of the

book and P&P. It will then be posted to you; or

3. If you are overseas please email me at coldavidhoulton@hotmail.com confirming that you require a book and then I will find out the cost

of postage and let you know by email. Please then complete the form and send it to me with a cheque to cover the overall cost.

David Houlton

Contessa 26: the first 50 years

3

Three Class South Coast events were held this yearutilising the IRC for those who are rated and the ClassHandicap system for those not IRC rated.

The first was a weekend regatta in Cowes at the end of May, held

jointly with the CO32 class. It was very well run in light airs both on

and off the water by The Royal London Yacht Club. Despite a

somewhat low entry there was some fairly close racing in the IRC

fleet and a most enjoyable social evening on the Saturday night.

The results were: IRC: 1. Meow (Chris Charlesworth); 2. Jiminy

Cricket (M and B Harrison); 3. Genesee (Ewan Kerr and Tom Olden).

Class Handicap: 1. Thousand Knights (Richard Pickance).

Four 26s came to the line on 19 July for the Royal Southampton’s

Double Handed Round the Island Race. They all sailed in Class 2

(IRC) and went round in conditions varying from 18 knots of breeze

approaching St Catherine’s and then coming up The Solent down to

3/5 knots of mainly south easterly breeze. The class was dominated

by the CO26 entries and finished in the order: 1. Jiminy Cricket; 2.

Meow; 3. Rooie Raker (Niall and Olivia Dowling); 4. Genesee. All four

boats finished in the top seven of a large Class 2 on the day.

As in previous years our principal event was the Class Nationals on

the weekend of 20 and 21 September, once again jointly with the

32s and hosted extremely well by the Royal Solent YC. Once again

our numbers were up and we fielded 10 entries. There was a last

minute cancellation of one more entry, and on the weekend one

boat unavoidably could not attend. There were two boats –

Curvaceous (Deborah Bell) and Fizelle (Jake Oliver) – who attended

the social functions and were most welcome. The socials went well

with a sit-down BBQ on Friday evening and a joint championship

dinner on the Saturday; both good value and good grub. Saturday

night’s function was in fact a sell out. On the Saturday PRO Jeremy

Wilcox did very well and gave us two races in

testing conditions which, although in light airs,

were fair and on Sunday in improved conditions

with wind and sun an interesting course. There is

a fuller separate race report of this event on the

website. Before the main race on Sunday all the

competitors took part in the fundraising Bart’s

Bash Short Race, and it was a good class effort

to actively support this.

The final National Championships results were:

1. Meow; 2. Jiminy Cricket; 3. High Potential

(Sarah Bole); 4. Grayling (Jeremy Rogers),

5. Genesee; 6. Rooie Racer; 7. Maya (Kevin Coles

sailed by Paul Dunstan). But for retirements in

Race 1 by both High Potential and Grayling, the

results could have had a different flavour.

The Class Handicap Champion for the second

year running was Elinor (David Houlton and sailed

in the Championships by his son Rupert).

Highlights in 2014, apart from the close racing,

have been the social fellowship and reputation for

enjoyable events we seem to be building.

Coupled with this has been the introduction and

welcome to a number of good quality younger

sailors and owners that have become owners or

are interested in the Class.

Finally, in concluding this report a very warm

vote of thanks to Chris Charlesworth. Chris

agreed to assist 12 months ago with part of the

organising functions and has done an immense

amount of work encouraging participation and

helping many entrants. Also, thanks as always to

David Houlton with whom arrangements are

reviewed and for his guidance.

Mike Harrison - Jiminy Cricket

Racing Captain.

Contessa 26 South Coast Class2014 Racing Events Report

Meow purring along. Photo by kind permission of Royal Southampton Yacht Club.

4

High Potential – snuggly at rest

Just to remind you how far we have got so far, we set off from Dartmouth on 7 May and arrived at Padstow on18 May. Clare, my daughter, had returned home fromPenzance and the passage to Padstow was donesinglehanded (with the help of our autohelm calledGeorgina).

Weather forecast for the following week was pretty grim so in

consultation with John Owen who was going to join me next, we

decided to postpone our trip pro temps until the conditions improved.

I was able to return home by bus to Bodmin and hence train to

Taunton. As it turned out, it was a wise decision as the weather was

atrocious, very wet and gale force winds.

Thursday 26 May

Mike Brett very kindly drove John and I down to Padstow where we

arrived mid-afternoon. We fitted the new relay to the engine circuit to

prevent battery drain which had occurred previously. Also installed a

new depth sounder as the other original one had packed up.

Marvellous! – it works! And the display has larger numbers!

Phoned Falmouth coastguard to check forecast, again gales are

forecast so decided to stay put another day. Walk in the evening

along the coastal path to Stepper Point. Decided to hire bikes

tomorrow and explore the Camel trail, along the line of the old railway.

Friday 27 May

Hired bikes from the old station building at Padstow and cycled the

trail to the end at Poleys Bridge and then on to Blisland for a well-

deserved pint and lunch, 36 miles in all. On returning, it was a great

relief to get off the saddles! As a treat we had moules marinieres for

supper washed down with a muscadet.

Saturday 28 May

This morning we spotted a yacht named Indalo on the nearby quay

which is also based on the River Dart and owned by a friend Stan

High Potential RoundBritain Cruise 2005 Part 2

5

Lester from Taunton. He is also sailing

round Great Britain so we agreed to

keep in radio contact. What a

coincidence!

As it was still blowing hard, Mike left for

home as he was not sailing with us,

John went to explore Rock on the other

side of the estuary, John Betjeman

country, and I busied ourselves

planning our next passage to Dale near

Milford Haven. This was 72 miles

roughly due north across the Bristol

Channel and in order to catch the tide

we planned an overnight crossing so

we decided to leave as soon as the

lock gates opened. Left Padstow 20.55

under reefed main and full genoa, wind

WSW 4/5, sea very lumpy outside.

Sunday 29 May

Rather an uneventful crossing, the wind

dropped progressively as the day went

on, Force 3 – Force 2, so we motored

and arrived at Milford Haven via the west channel, dropped sails and

picked up a mooring off of Dale at 1430 for the night.

Monday 30 May

We were planning to get to Fishguard today, a distance of 44 miles.

Again, the tides are everything, especially as our course takes us

down Jack Sound and Ramsey Sound. In Jack Sound the tides run at

6-7 knots at springs, similarly at Ramsey, so you have got to get it

right. It is also advisable to do the passage in daylight. Left our

mooring at 06.00 motoring with the main up and reported our

passage plan to Milford Haven Coastguard. Entered Jack Sound an

hour later where we had a slight foul tide and passed through safely,

avoiding The Crabbies and Tusker Rock and set course for Ramsey

Sound across St Brides Bay. In Ramsey Sound there is ledge called

The Bitches jutting out which is mostly underwater at high tide which

was obvious by the turbulence and we passed by safely. What little

wind had now dropped as we set course for Strumble Head which we

rounded and arrived at Fishguard at 15.00. Anchored in the Lower

Harbour (away from the commercial traffic), and reported our arrival

to the coastguard. The last two hours we had a cracking sail under

full genoa.

Tuesday 31 May

Fishguard to Abersoch is 54 miles across Cardigan Bay with no

particular dangers except a floating one (more of which later...).

Forecast was SW 3/4 with some rain. Raised anchor 06.10 and set

our course, 030, for our waypoint off St Patricks Causeway. The

wind dropped so we were motoring across a glassy sea when the

Coastguard called to say there was a report of a floating object in

our vicinity and take care. The object was in fact a large chest fridge

freezer which had a fallen overboard from a larger vessel (a C32?).

Suffice it to say nothing was spotted but later on we were

entertained by a large school of dolphins who were leaping around

us, a lovely sight. Later on another call came over the radio, this

time from Aberporth Range Control warning us firing would be

taking place soon but it was safe to carry on. Passing between St

Tudwals Islands we approached Abersoch unscathed and picked up

a mooring off the beach at 1900 and reported our arrival to

Holyhead coastguard.

Wednesday 1 June

A very uncomfortable night with the wind blowing from the South

West force 4-5 and, after hearing the forecast, decided to head for

Pwhelli. Left mooring at 0900 under small genoa, arrived at the

harbour where the Harbourmaster allocated a position on one of the

pontoons. Rigged our awning over the boom to keep the rain off.

Good facilities but a ¾ mile walk to the town centre. Enquired at the

harbour master’s office about being craned out and hull cleaned.

In March 2004 High Potential’s hull was re-epoxied and Coppercoat

antifouling applied by Baltic Wharf at Totnes, which is the usual place

where she spends the winter. During our cruise so far we had noticed

that her speed had dropped off and it was evident there was

considerable fouling to the hull, so much so that it was necessary to

have the hull pressure washed.

Thursday 2 June

Arranged to have her lifted out at Partingtons yard nearby at 15.00.

As anticipated, the hull was filthy and covered with a slime and had to

be jet-sprayed clean and the hull abraided in spite of being pressure

washed when she was lifted-in in March of this year.

17.55 forecast gave gales for the Irish Sea.

Friday 3 June

Much less windy this morning and the sun is out for a change.

Tomorrow’s forecast looks better so revised passage plan instead of

going to Holyhead to go to Peel on the Isle of Man. Also John’s wife

Belinda had sent an item of clothing for John to Peel which he had

forgotten.

Saturday 4 June

Although the inshore forecast was better the advice was to postpone

departure until tomorrow as there would be rough seas round

Bardsey Island so another day exploring Pwhelli.

More adventures in the next edition!!

Geoff Weyman – High Potential

High Potential being lifted out at Totnes

6

Royal Yorkshire YachtClub Contessa 26 ClassContessa 26s have raced as a Class at the RoyalYorkshire Yacht Club since 2007.

Prior to that there were a couple of boats which had raced in the

handicap cruiser fleet, notably Richard Armstrong’s Tessador and

Geoff and Jean Kaye’s Chaos. The latter yacht was very successful

and her owners presented a trophy bearing her name to the Club to

be awarded to the most successful yacht of the year. By the end of

2005 Tessador had passed into Keith Richardson’s hands and was

the lone Contessa 26 racing at the Club. However, there were a

number of owners looking for new boats. Most of them wanted

something which didn’t require a small army to sail, would withstand

the rigours of the drying harbour in Bridlington, and the family crews

in particular wanted something with an inboard engine, a proper toilet

and that would look after them in a blow. Tessador, or something just

like her, seemed to fit the bill nicely.

In the summer of 2006 Jeff Preece acquired Contessa Juliet which

was lying in Bridlington harbour but not racing and Paul Wells gave

up on sportsboats, found Tessa in Grimsby and brought her to

Bridlington. In the yacht club bar ‘Contessa’ was the word on

everyone’s lips and RYYC members were travelling the country

looking for boats. That winter Steve and Maxine Wood sold their

quarter tonner and bought True Blue, in partnership with Keith Poole.

David McKie heard of a Maclan built boat for sale in Ipswich, went

down there with a borrowed trailer and a credit card and came back

with Coriander and Harry Fleming was tempted North from the

Humber, bringing Anna with him. David and Carole Armstrong bought

Contessina as a bit of a project, but it was surely a simple job

compared to restoring their previous boat, a hundred year old

wooden one design and they were soon ready for the season. With

seven boats confirmed and potential owners still searching, the club

recognised what the owners wanted and agreed to give them a class

of their own for 2007. A meeting over a few beers yielded an informal

constitution and set of rules and the class was up and running. Still

the boats kept coming, Phil Leach and Jane Blake finally found

Kentish Sark in Hoo, recommissioned her there and renamed her Tye

Tye before returning to Bridlington just ahead of Pete and Liz

Ticehurst in their lovely pale blue boat, Halcyon Days. These last twoThat’s a big one!

Line ahead

Close call

7

arrived just in time for the RYYCs 150th Annual Regatta, and the first

for the Contessa 26 class. Nine boats contested the Class in that

Regatta, which was fittingly won by the old lady of the fleet, Tessador.

Following a very successful first year, the Class continued to grow

with the addition of Daisy Dog (Steve and Kevin Travis and Andy

Scullion) and Constant (Mike Walker and Dennis Bailey). Also in the

harbour from time to time but not racing was Guy Waites with Red

Admiral, preparing for their transatlantic adventures.

The racing calendar at the RYYC is very busy with starts every

Saturday and Sunday throughout the season. Courses are mainly

fairly short and set in the beautiful environment of Bridlington Bay.

With so many races, they are broken down into a number of series

and there is also a separate coastal series and a couple of named

offshore races, plus the jewel in the crown, the annual Regatta Week.

When the Class was in its infancy, people expected the boats to be

used for a mixture of cruising and racing, but that has proved not to

be the case. Regardless of their position in the fleet, most of the

boats have been very busy on the racecourse with the keener crews

regularly starting 40 or more races each season.

The Class peaked in 2009, both in terms of the number of boats and

their competitiveness. There were 11 boats in the Class, although

they never all sailed together – of the six series of races that year, five

different boats won at least one series each. The close competition of

2009 notwithstanding, some boats have been much more successful

than others. Daisy Dog always makes a big effort for Regatta Week,

having won the class four times and even chanced their arm in the

handicap Cruiser Class one year and won that as well. Not content

with Class wins, they have also been overall Regatta winners four

times. Other Class winners have been Contessa Juliet and Tessador

(twice). In the overall season’s prizes, consistency is everything, and

best in Class overall for the season have been True Blue, Tessador,

Tessa and Contessa Juliet four times. The most challenging offshore

event in the calendar is the Dowsing Race, in which the Contessas

always do well and which Contessina and Contessa Juliet have each

won overall. Away from Bridlington, the RYYC Contessa fleet has

dominated the small cruiser class at Scarborough Yacht Club’s

Annual Regatta, and Contessa Juliet has won Whitby Yacht Club’s

Vernon Dawson Trophy twice. The Class Association also awards a

racing prize and Tessador and Contessa Juliet (three times) have

been grateful recipients.

Of course the Contessa 26 has a far broader appeal than just to the

hard chargers at the front of the racing fleet. The heart of the class at

the RYYC has been the family crews and less experienced racers

contesting the middle order. These crews have had a wonderful time,

sailing off the Yorkshire Coast in good company, determined not to let

a race spoil a perfectly good sail. They often enjoy themselves more

than the regular pacesetters, and of course when they do win a race

or race series, the grins are so much wider and the cheers at prize

giving so much louder.

Administering the class has not been completely straightforward. Just

about the only thing the owners could agree on was that they wanted

level racing. All classes struggle to decide on a set of Class Rules

which keep the determined racers in check without being too onerous

for the more casual competitors. In this case it’s made more

complicated by the boats not being a strict one design as built.

Predictably, the initial set of Class Rules, which amounted to little

more than a Gentleman’s Agreement, didn’t survive the first season ofFlying kites

Mast abeam!

Continued on page 8

8

In common with many 2014 events to date, this year’s J P Morgan Round the Island Race was a very light andslow event. Seven Contessa 26s entered the IRC fleetand three entered the ISC handicap fleet.

Starting early, the fleets took the ebb to the Needles. In the IRC fleet

Chris Charlesworth’s beautifully prepared and raced Meow was first

there having taken advantage tactically of the windshifts from the

north side of The Solent. Rounding The Needles, the fleet joined the

first giant car park resembling a marina which for many were repeated

at St Katherines and then Bembridge in continuing light airs. Chris

was followed along the south side of the Island by Jeremy Rogers in

his newly restored and pretty looking Grayling enjoying its first race.

Last year’s national championship boat, Rooie Raker, also racing for

the first time under new ownership and entered by Naomhan Dowlin,

was in the group. Meow, and then eventually those behind her, opted

for a southern route seeking out the light but building south easterly

sea breeze. At the finish Meow, having extended her lead, recorded a

well deserved second in Class and Division and third overall to the

Gold Roman Bowl winner which was the Folkboat Madeline. Jeremy

was the second 26 to finish with an impressive fourth in Class and

24th overall. Rooie Raker was the next finisher and was sixth in Class

which for her first race must have been pleasing for the new owners,

followed by Jiminy Cricket (Mike and Barbara Harrison) who were

seventh in Class. Sadly the 22.00 time limit and very light evening

breeze beat Genesse, another new Cowes 2014 restored boat owned

by Ewan Kerr and Tom Olden. Sulali, also under new ownership of

Simon Jollands and Maya, sailed by Kevin Collins, both showed good

bursts of speed at various times in the earlier part of the day but did

not meet the time limit.

In the ISC handicap fleet, out of a large Class all but two yachts

retired, and again mindful of the time limit the retirees or did not

finishers included our three boats: Quincy (Bob Coates), Nimue (Tom

Dobson) and Skipjack (Marco Cavaroli).

Meow, Grayling and Jiminy Cricket represented the Island Sailing

Club in the Inter Club Team Trophy and won the Jeroboam Trophy as

runners up in this capacity, which in the Island’s 125th season was

warmly recognised by the Club.

It was a long day for all competitors, but at least the sun was shining.

Mike Harrison – Jiminy Cricket

Racing Captain

Round the IslandReport 2014

competition. There have been a few lively discussions over the years,

mainly concerning sails, weight and propellers, but the rules have

now been stable for several seasons. The Class has also caused the

club’s handicapper some headaches. In handicap races against the

rest of the club’s fleet the Contessas struggle on the round the cans

courses, especially really short laps or windward/leewards, but are

mighty on the coastal and offshore races. As with all handicaps, it

ends up being a compromise, which is why everyone loves a one

design or level rating class.

Since the heady days of 2009 a number of boats have left the class.

Tessa and Contessina made one way trips to the South coast and

were eventually sold, but not before Contessina had won her class

twice in the Round the Island Race and the JP Morgan Asset

Management Family Trophy. Tye Tye was sold on to John Wood, and

then again outside of the club, as was Constant, but it wasn’t all one

way traffic. Philip and Robin Saltonstall struggled to find a boat and a

berth, the convenient solution turning out to be a half share of

Halcyon Days. However, in 2012 the character of Bridlington Harbour

changed completely. Pontoon berths replaced the old cradles which

sat in the mud, giving 24 hour access to the boats and making the

harbour a much more social environment. Not surprisingly this

sparked interest in newer, bigger and more spacious designs. Despite

this the Contessas are still popular and continue to enjoy great

racing, with six boats in the water in 2014.

Of course the story of the RYYC Racing Fleet would not be complete

without a Contessa 26 winning that trophy, the Chaos Shield for the

RYYC’s most successful yacht of the year, and Contessa Juliet duly

obliged in 2012.

Phillip Leach

Grayling’s initiation!

9

2015 NationalsThis has become our principal annual event and is to be held over the

weekend of the 5 and 6 September 2015. Our host club is the Island

Sailing Club in Cowes. Once again, there are three trophies to be

awarded to the IRC racing Champion, The Class Handicap

Championship for boats not rated for IRC, and the Non Spinnaker

Division Championship.

The Notice of Race and Entry Forms are on the website. Several

entries have been received to date and our job is made so much

easier if entries are sent in early so we look forward to hearing from

you soon. If you have any questions or would like more information

please do give me or Chris Charlesworth a call (Chris can be

contacted on 07775 744078). As usual we will have a dinner on the

Saturday evening at ISC, and get together drinks on Friday evening.

Moorings are available at a discounted rate at Shepards Marina.

One of the ISC top Race Officers Phil Haggan has been appointed as

Principal Race Officer for the Nationals. Phil is a local top race

administrator and is looking forward to the event. He will give us expert

on-the-water attention and we are lucky with this appointment.

Last year we were joined by Curvaceous and Frizelle’s owners for the

social side of the weekend, and if anyone would like to join in this year

as a mini CO26 rally you will be most welcome (advance notice would

be appreciated).

Round The IslandThe Round the Island race is on 26 June and is open to Contessa 26s

either in the IRC division or alternatively in the ISCRS system. All race

documentation is on the website: www.roundtheisland.org.uk. For the

first time our Class trophies in each division will be awarded at the

official RTI prize giving on Sunday following the race.

Charles Stanley Classics Week (20 to 24 July 2015)

In advance of the Class celebrations for our 50th anniversary next

year the Association has received an invitation to take part in the

Charles Stanley Classics Week to be held between 20 and 24 July.

Whilst it is not part of the Class Racing Programme it is an attractive

event and I am planning to enter Jiminy Cricket and would love to see

some other Contessa 26s there. It is a five day event; the racing is not

over-arduous and a high emphasis is on the social side, which the

organisers describe as a key component. The Royal London Yacht

Club who are very supportive of the CO26 class are the lead

organising club with input from Cowes Combined Clubs.

There is lots of information on The Royal London and Cowes

Classic Week websites and some nice photos of the various other

classes who are taking part. This used to be the Metre Week and

dayboat event but is growing to encompass many classic classes

including yachts.

There are a number of large classics (quite a sight) expected in

Cowes at the same time as this event which is being held in parallel

with the Panerai Classic Week. Immediately following it is the

Americas Cup Challenge regatta at Portsmouth and then the Royal

Yacht Squadron 200th anniversary regatta, so there will be lots of

interesting sights in The Solent at that time.

If any other 26s might be interested please have a look at the online

info and do let me know. If we have six-plus boats, separate class

and series results will be available, and we can have our own class

supper gathering. Whilst the handicap system is a Classic Yacht one,

the organisers have agreed we can make some class input to try and

recognise the different specifications of our boats.

Sail the Wight 2015

Another event which is aimed mainly at cruising in company as well

as a race of a fairly informal type for anyone who may be interested is

East Cowes Sailing Club’s ‘Sail the Wight’ which is a charitable event.

It is due to be held on Saturday 6 June. Other classes actively give it

support and we have been approached for possible participation. It is

on Saturday and is followed by a BBQ in the evening and in earlier

years was well supported. Anyone interested in more information can

find it on ‘SailtheWight.org.uk’ or through East Cowes SC’s website.

Regional

Whilst there is continuing and growing support for class participation

racing in the Solent region we would be interested to hear from other

clubs and regions who are holding class racing in any format. Reports

will be appreciated and please do contact Mike Harrison if there is

any guidance or help we can give to clubs or members wishing to

organise events in other parts of the country. Taking part is fun and

we have a south coast model that provides for cruising participants

and non-spinnaker entrants. The social get togethers and fellowship

are great fun.

Mike Harrison – Jiminy Cricket

Racing Captain

Contessa 26 Class Racing 2015

10

Having previously owned a Holman and Pye Twister 28, Iwas looking for a well found yacht of similar design withencapsulated keel. I always admired the gorgeous linesand seaworthy abilities of the Contessa 26, albeit a wee bitcramped down below for a six foot plus guy.

In late 2013, I set about finding a late Contessa 26 with a raised self-

draining cockpit. There were at this time around half a dozen 26’s for

sale through various brokers ranging from a ‘68 Jeremy Rogers build

boat (legendary build quality) to a Maclan Marine 79’ built boat . The

Maclan Marine boat which I found on the Contessa 26 Association

website was for sale complete with custom trailer and better still only

90 miles from my house in Scotland. We drove down to check the boat

out and being a boat builder in my former life, carried out a brief survey

of the hull, deck, engine, spars, fittings, interior, etc.

The cabin was of an open plan design which I have not come across

on the Contessa 26, with semi enclosed heads to starboard amidships

and open (no bulkhead) to port. The hull and deck were in sound

condition and unpainted (still original gelcoat). My impression of other

aspects of the boat were that it had been poorly maintained over some

period of time.

Cabin lighting was corroded and unserviceable; the cabin upholstery

had been poorly recovered and needed replacing; the headlining in the

front cabin was looking very tired and needed replacing; the auto

electric bilge pump was unserviceable with wires protruding; main bilge

pump unserviceable and required service kit; some rewiring would be

required to main distribution panel; the Autosteer mechanical wind vane

had parts missing and therefore also unserviceable; the deck stern teak

capping and part of the aft starboard capping rail would need

replacement plus some joinery work in the cabin. The teak port and

starboard deck grab rails were showing signs of lack of maintenance

and would need stripping out for further examination. The forward main

hatch glass was completely opaque and needed re-glazing.

If you have read so far, you may be asking with the aforementioned

work needed, why I did not walk away from the sale!! Well, I guess

apart from falling in love with her aesthetics, I could visualise the

potential of a very beautiful sailboat when refitted, plus I managed to

negotiate the asking price down a wee bit.

Anyway, the deal was done and the previous owner agreed to deliver

the boat to my house. We managed to manoeuvre/reverse boat and

trailer up around my driveway with the help of a local landrover garage

owner and some nervous moments.

Winter of 2013, the boat cabin was completely stripped of all

upholstery cushions, sails and basically anything in the cabin that was

moveable. All compartments were opened up and a dehumidifier

installed. The mast (lashed to the trailer) was removed and all running

rigging removed and cleaned in the washing machine (my other half

was not too pleased!).

The boat was re-engined with a Yanmar 1GM10 marine diesel in 2007

and in good working order. We ran the engine up with fresh water and

changed the lube oil and oil/air filters, removed the water pump

impeller and winterised.

Come 2014 we had to decide where to start on the refit!! The forward

hatch was removed and sent away to be reglazed (quite an expensive

job). We could almost have bought a new hatch for the price but I

wanted to reinstall the original frame and the reglazing company did

make a very nice job of it. The reglazed hatch has now been reinstated.

Contessa 26 Anna Rosa Refit

11

To my amazement I discovered that the original mechanical

windvane manufacturer Autosteer, based in Cornwall, were still in

business and wrote to them listing all the parts missing. They

could not have been more helpful and sent me a list of parts with

pricing that I would need to rebuild the vane steering which were

subsequently purchased.

Cabin light fittings were removed, stripped down and cleaned,

refitted and are now serviceable apart from one over the chart

table which has been replaced with switchable white/red light.

The aforementioned damaged/cracked teak deck capping has

been removed and new wood reshaped using the old wood as a

template to replicate the exact dimensions of the rear and

starboard cappings. They will be reinstated on the boat in spring

of 2015, after several coats of Deks Olje. The deck grab rails were

removed from the deck and parts of the rail found to be in poor

condition due to some of the fastenings previously used being of

mild steel. Ahhh!!! Will have to be completely replaced and bolted

down with marine grade stainless steel fastenings.

Early 2015 and hopefully more time to continue the refit – having

gained experience of re-upholstering cabin furnishings and

sprayhoods, etc, on previously owned yachts, I decided that Anna

Rosa deserved the same treatment and contacted Acorn Canvas

in Hampshire with a list of fabrics needed to do the job. Rod at

Acorn Canvas was very helpful and I ended up buying vinyl

(oatmeal) fabric with piping for the cabin seating and coated dark

blue canvas for sprayhood, sailcover and dodgers. All the

peripheral items including fasteners, zips, bindings and webbings

were also included. I have now started to reupholster the cabin

seats with my trusty 1920’s Singer hand sewing machine which I

paid nine quid for 35 years ago and has not let me down since.

Hope to post some images of the cabin upholstery when

completed.

The cabin joinery work and rewiring are scheduled for May 2015

when the weather up here gets a wee bit milder.

To be continued...

Pete Murray (celticpete)

Anna Rosa

Contessa 26 Class

50th Anniversary Meet:

29-31 July 2016As mentioned throughout this newsletter, next year is the 50th

Anniversary of the building of the first Contessa 26 and we are

planning to mark this event with a meet to be based at Lymington

over the weekend Friday 29 July – Sunday 31 July 2016. We are

hoping to achieve a record attendance for the event. We have an

outline programme for the event which hopefully will result in a

weekend which will be fun and enjoyed by all:

Friday 15 July – Assemble at Dan Bran Pontoon; moorings have

been booked for Friday and Saturday nights and the Association will

stand the cost for those members of the Association attending. There

will be a barbecue that evening at the Mayflower which is

conveniently located adjacent to the Royal Lymington. This will be

subsidised by the Association Funds

Saturday 17 July – A gentle cruise to Newtown Creek or Bucklers

Hard is planned starting at around 11.00. That evening there will be a

dinner at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club

Sunday 30 July – A “round the buoys race” will be organised and

hopefully run by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. A leisurely start at

11.00 is planned. After the race the fleet will assemble in Yarmouth

and a pub lunch will be organised at the King’s Head.

I hope this programme will appeal to most. Details of actual costs will

be published with the final programme in the New Year. Each member

of the Association attending will also receive, as part of the package, a

commemorative plaque and a house flag. I should also mention that

we do, of course, welcome members without their yachts and every

effort will be made to find space on those attending with yachts so they

can participate in the various events! Previous owners of Contessa 26s

who may now have a different yacht are also most welcome.

Mike Fanstone has also arranged a deal with Rainbow Image in

Lymington. They will produce any of their tee or polo shirts with a

suitable logo for the 50th Anniversary and, if required, the name of the

boat, etc. Details of this will appear in the final instructions.

The 50th Anniversary book entitled “Contessa 26 – The First 50

Years” will be on sale from November 2015. Anyone who is attending

the Meet and has not purchased a copy will be able to do so when

completing the confirmation of attendance form.

If anyone has any proposals or ideas for the weekend please let me

know. I would be very grateful if you would complete the enclosed

form and return it to me so we can get an idea of the rough numbers

that might be attending; this notice is also posted on the website. I

emphasise that completing this form at this stage merely indicates

your intention to attend. My contact details are:

2 Pippin Close, Lymington, Hants SO41 3TP

Tel: 01590610782

Email: coldavidhoulton@hotmail.com

A final Confirmation of Attendance Proforma will be circulated in early

2016 which will include costs etc and those attending will be asked to

pay for the various events in advance.

Best wishes

David Houlton

12

ContactsHon Secretary

David Houlton

2 Pippin Close,

Lymington,

Hampshire SO41 3TP

Tel: 01590 610762

Email: coldavidhoulton@hotmail.com

Class Captains

Mike & Diana Lindsey

9 Brewery Close,

Highfield House, Stamfordham,

Northumberland NE18 0PQ

Tel: 01661 855446

Email: co26@dilysen.co.uk

Treasurer

Ben Pugh

8 Humbolts Hold,

Chippenham,

Wiltshire SN15 3GY

Tel: 01249 654159

Email: co26@thepughs.me.uk

Racing Captain

Mike Harrison

47 Mill Hill Road,

Cowes,

Isle of Wight PO31 7EG

Tel: 01983 297406

Email: harrisonduff@btinternet.com

Web Master & Brokerage

Paul Wells

Tel: 01771 759980

Email: paul@sycamore-uk.com