Contessa 28

[Dougie]

With a possible purchase in the offing has anyone any pointers on type related problems that I should look out for on a '28 built in 1978. The auxilliary power is from a Petter Mini Twin of which I know nothing so again any wise words would be appreciated.

 

[pandroid]

Had one for about 8 years. Great little boat, sails like a top in flat water, but a bit bouncy in a chop.
Things to watch for are:
a) Some boats reportedly had splitting along the (encapulated) keel, apparently because some reinforcing was left out. Ours never had a problem and we gave it a fairly hard time
b) Look for cracking around the shroud plates. Overstressing the rig can cause cracks, but its usually not fatal.
c) The petter is getting a little long in the tooth, ours had a Yanmar which was fine.
d)Some yachts were finished by Rogers, and some were home built from mouldings. I've never proved it but I suspect to spot the home ones, the CO symbol on the bow was not painted in.
e)Early models (wooden toerail) had a rather unbalanced rudder which made the thing very heavy to windward, later models are better.

If you need any bits, Rogers is still around doing a roaring trade.

 

[jamesjermain]

Petter Mini Twins were much used in lorry refrigeration units. They were very light and had a reputation for deforming oreven blowing cylinders. Apart from their weight they hadlittle to recommend them for yacht use and most will have been replaced by now. You should certainly budget for this when buying this boat, however, good it appears to be now.

I don'y know anything specific about Contessa 28s except that they are not bad family cruisers though the accommodation arrangement does not suit everyone. I get the feeling that construction was a little light compared to some of her contemporaries.

JJ

 

[Drummond]

The Petter Mini Twin started life as an industrial engine and is prone to serious corrosion on the cyl heads in a marine environment. The engine is probably close to its demise.