Contessa 26 Refit ep.12-Aries self steering windvane rebuild with homemade parts

[@brianhepworth4854]

Thank you again for these videos... I'm watching them all again for about the fourth time... And now they're even more useful for me as I've just bought myself my very own Contessa 26 restoration project...

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Awesome. Best of luck with your new boat!

[@RoryL83]

The skills you have are amazing!! Well done!

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Thanks. I’ve actually passed the Aries on and am now working on a Monitor wind vane.

[@michaellugton9912]

Hi, I’m also restoring an old (1970) Contessa 26. I’m currently looking at the anchor well and was planning to add external drains via clam shells. You fitted these but then removed them and went back to a drain in to the bilge and I’m wondering why? Thanks, Michael.

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Hi Michael. I went back to hose in the bilge temporarily until I make that locker water tight, It turned out to be the right thing to do last year after I hit a particularly nasty shoal at the mouth of an inlet with a strong current. She was lying on her port side from the current and waves coming in from 20 kts of wind. Luckily there were people around and we were able to get pulled off rather quickly. We would've certainly taken on water if we were stuck there for any amount of time.

[@michaellugton9912]

@@EpoxyAndButylTape Thanks. I may do the same - hose to the bilge until I work out something better. Michael.

[@DaveFolk1]

Rebuilding an Aries... how do you get the old grub screws out? Mine are so corroded in. I've used heat but to no success!

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Yup, I had a few like that. I ended up drilling them out tapping a new thread and a installing new grub screw.

[@DaveFolk1]

@@EpoxyAndButylTape thank you. I think that's where I'll be going!

[@Cpt_Mal]

Could you tell me the specs for the ply blade,just bought a boat with an Aries but no wind blades.Just need a starting size, i know to adjust the weight. thank you

[@EpoxyAndButylTape]

Yes, the weight of the paddle is more important than the dimensions. I used 5mm plywood, thinner and lighter than the recommended 8mm. Also, I cut it down to 35 inches long, which is the smaller side of the length range of 35-50 inches. You need to figure out what works for you by starting big and trimming until you get a paddle that responds, but keep in mind that the gears need to be oiled frequently for the vane to pop back up when pushed over by the wind. According to Lean Nelis, the current owner of Aries, the weight of the wind paddle should be equal to or close to the weight of the lead counterweight.