Finishing the bottom paint

The finishing touches with the bottom paint.

Painted hull

So, how does the new paint and gold trim look?

Some Primer

Me Matey, Tony G. at the bow.

Shufflling Over Draft around the shop to get her positioned for the final squirting.

Mike and helper, contemplating how to best finish the prep.

Finally, after sanding and prep, the first layer of primer goes on.

Over Draft's 1st Mate

Davenport has been a salty dog for as long as we have owned him, which is most of his life, minus about 8 weeks! As soon as we bought our cottage in Maine, Dav took to the waters around Mount Desert Island by kayak, by ferry, and even using the age old "doggy paddle" the time we forgot about the tides and got hemmed in on Bar Island, having to swim for it to get back to shore. Dav has fought biting insects, snapping turtles, wind, surf and more in his quest to have fun.

Now, he becomes Davvy Roger aboard Overdraft II. He has already taken a couple of short voyages, always willing to go where food is being served. We spent last summer bringing picnic dinners on board the Overdraft for quick sails out to watch sunset on Oneida Lake. Once he gets his sea legs, Dav can chow down on a chicken salad sandwich with any Old Salt you want to put up against him. Speaking of being up against an old salt, he's looking forward to sleeping on board with Tony, who apparently takes up less room in the bunk than Don does.

Dav does tend to have a tender tummy, so we are prepared to hold him over the edge while we tell him, Heave away me jolly!

Over Draft II to the Paint Shop

Well, finally Over Draft is getting squirted with both new bottom paint and a fresh coat of Dupont exlir. Tony has been laboriously scrubbing, scraping, sanding, peeling, dredging, drilling, plying, piercing, and prepping the hull all last week to get her ready for a new look. Here's some pics of the process.

The first pic was taken right after she arrived on the trailer that hauled her to Central New York Fiberglass in Lakeport, NY on Oneida Lake. The Contessa hauled well down Rt. 31. We arrived, and prepping began outdoors for several days of sanding. Then, she was backed into the shop for the final prepping and eventual spraying.

We're doing the trim line in gold, with a bold navel blue hull. Also, the stern name will be gold with blue drop shadow.

A Site for Contessa 26' Dreamers

Don Dreamin'

Me Mates

This blog is for the Contessa 26 sailboat called Over Draft II owned and operated by Tony Guarnieri, Geri and Don Wagner.

Over Draft II is a 1973 Contessa, designed by Jeremy Rogers and built in Toronto by J.J. Taylor. We thought this blog would be a good site to trace the development of our connection with Over Draft II, and a place to share our experiences.

JJ Taylor - Contessa 26 - Sailboat:

L.O.A.: 25’6” (7.8m)
L.W.L.: 21’0” (6.4m)
Beam: 7’6” (2.3m)
Draft: 4’0” (1.2m)

Sail Area: 304 sq.ft. (28m2)
Ballast: 2300 lbs (1043 kg)
Displacement: 5400 lbs (2400kg)
Rating (PHRF-LO) : 243

Engine: 12 hp VIRE
Propeller 10”dia. original bronze 2 blades
Propeller shaft 7/8” stainless steel

Manual bilge pump 1”dia.
Bilge fan
Harken roller furling
Depth sounder
VHF
AM/FM Stereo
Mast/Bow light
Bimini
Portable Head
Plow anchor
Sail cover
Two batteries
Cockpit cushions
Swim ladder
Steal cradle
Fenders