Contessa 32 and 28 footers

Moonshining

Moonshining

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A few weeks ago I posted about the possibility of getting hold of a cheap Contessa 32 for sale in Florida. I went over there last week and, sadly, it's been too neglected for it to be cost effective to fix up and transport over here. (If anyone wants a Contessa 32 with no creature comforts, for racing or the like, for about £17000 including shipping and duty, pm me!)

So... I've got the finance for a boat sorted out and nothing to spend it on. Going through the online ads, a Contessa 28 and a Nicholson 30 look like nice boats at about the right price.

What do you chaps reckon? The idea is something that would generally be cruised around the South Coast by me and SWMBO, but comfortable enough that her requirement that we could ask a couple of friends to come for a sail and a few G&T's at weekends would be fulfilled.
 
Halmatic 30's are newer and cheaper versions of the Nic.....worth a look if you're not bothered about having a "name". Halmatic moulded the Nics and took over production when Nicholson's stopped. I rate them myself, although they don't have the fine lines of the earlier Nics. They are nicer "caravans" which is a bit hard as they sail well too...I'm thinking abut the apres sail in the marina.
 
Have you considered a Hustler 30? Quite well thought of, and 6 berth, sort of. One for sale in Essex at under 12 grand, and does not look like a careworn shed.
 
How about Seamaster 925? 29 ft, Holman and Pye, like the Hustler, with more room inside and, again like the Hustler a sight cheaper than some of the better-known boats of a similar vintage. Great sea boat to boot.
 
Shipman 28 (actually 29'loa) is a pretty and fast boat. Designed by Ole Enderlein.
Should be well within your budget. And 4' draft if I remember correctly.
good size cockpit for entertaining and well designed layout below.
I owned one a few years back and was often complemented on her lines.
My father often described them as a poor man's CO 32.

I would second the nomination for a Hustler 30, Seamaster 925 and Elizabethan 30.

What about a She C32 or an Albin Ballad ? you might be lucky to find one of these within your budget.

You could pick up a Carter 30 or old Carter 33. Look out for the home finished ones though.
A Carter 33 is a lot of boat for the money and goes quite well too, will look after you in a blow.
 
I would also second the nomination of the Seamaster 925. You're welcome to come out for a sail on mine (based in Newhaven). And no, mine is not for sale, but I believe there are a couple on the market.

PM me if you're interested.

Jonathan
 
I think the Nicholson 30 is distinctly different from the Halmatic 30. I hope I'm right on this, so here goes:
The Halmatic is a full bodied cruiser very much a scaled down Nic 32, as has already been said.
The Nic 30 is a 70s cruiser/racer which can still give a very good account of itself at club level. It had rod rigging etc when built and was put together very well as you might expect. Living space is good for the vintage though some consider the exterior profile unusual. I would rate it as a very good buy for what you have in mind. Brian.
 
Contessa 28

AFAIK it was a relatively small seller, designed by Doug Petersen - sort of a mini OOD34, but without serious racing intentions.

I've never sailed one, but they are quite smart looking boats, although a tiny bit dumpy. They have nothing of the Co26 and Co32 heritage about them though, just another 70s/80s cruiser.
 
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