Spare Parts 02/01/98

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Portlight Gasket Source
In the November 1, 1991 issue we reported on the difficulties-and a few successes-wed experienced trying to find obscure parts for our C&C 33 test boat. We reported finding replacement gasket (or spline) material for the portlights from a Canadian company called Beclawat in Belleville, Ontario.

Recently we received the following note from Eric Spencer at Yachting Services, saying, At that time Beclawat had a large stock which has now been sold. Unfortunately, no one at Beclawat knew the source of the spline. Since we have a regular demand for the same spline from the owners of Tanzer sailboats, we have had a die made for this extrusion and can supply this spline. The price is a little higher than that mentioned in your article. I have since learned that ports made by Beclawat using the same spline were installed in some Grampians and some Mirages.

Eric Spencer, once a key figure at Tanzer, can supply other parts. Contact him at Yachting Services, Division of 98776 Canada Inc., Box 1045-Point Claire, Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada H9S 4H9; 514/697-6952.


Compac 27 Owners
Brad Brager at 2001 Holcombe Blvd., #3406, Houston, TX 77030; 713/797-1043, would like to correspond with other owners of the Compac 27 to share information.


Mercer 44 Owners
Floyd Hollister would like to form an owners association for those fortunate few skippers of the Bill Tripp-designed Mercer 44. Contact Floyd Hollister at Suite 145, 1410 Forest Dr. #8, Annapolis, MD 21403-1442.


The Twin-Keeler
Craig Anderson and Brian Backstrand, editors of a new newsletter called Twin-Keeler, hope to promote interaction between owners of boats with what the British call bilge keels. These include the Alacrity and Vivacity, and much of the Westerly line, all able to stand upright on their keels at low tide. A complimentary issue will be sent to anyone who writes the editors at Twin-Keeler, 2943 W. Balmoral Ave., #2, Chicago, IL 60625.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.