Contessa 32 doppelganger.

[BurnitBlue]

I do plan to order a new mainsail and roller genoa for the Moody but I will wait for what happens to the Contessa 32 idea. I started this post to see if there was a boat that could bridge the gap between my comfortable Moody which I found impossible to sail to windward and my uncomfortable Folkboat which I could sail anywhere. I have no doubt about my ability in the folkboat.to sail to windward. I could not see any reason I was having difficulty going to windward in the Moody. Poor sails seems to be the likely reason.

After a disastrous 2022 I decided to find out why I failed to sail west from Greece. Me or the boat. I was surprised at the interest shown by the forum so I just go with the flow. My goal is still the same. Keep the Moody until I have tried out the Contessa 32 or the She 31 which I have added to the list on advice from this forum. If I fail to find a suitable boat in the short time span I will buy new sails for the Moody.

Later edit. If no Contessa I will also consider launching my folkboat. As a seaboat she has a good pedigree. Hard to realise that Jester made 17 Atlantic crossing before having her hatches ripped off in a storm. I dare not dwell on this because my own folkboat is sitting there in my garden just waiting and the temptation to have one more season in her is hard to resist. Why do I resist? Well right now the weather is freezing and the boat is under snow.

 

[Blueboatman]

She looks a picture.

Well that looks a bit better now doesn’t it ?

I always quite fancied a Freedom like the one behind the GH for downwind and sunny climates cruising . Being a fan of unstayed rigs.

And now, one for the OP:

Well, if you’re going to look at She 31, might as well have a look at her big sisters as well ? And here’s one in Greece?
Not exactly bargain basement though so maybe not
1997 SHE 36 Cruiser for sale - YachtWorld

 

[penfold]

If you can't get your Moody to sail to windward there's something wrong; fix that rather than buying another boat. While it's a relatively high hull volume by the standard of mid-80s british design it's no wobbly floating caravan designed for mediterranean charter service, it should have no difficulty going to weather.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Just to put things in perspective, at the time the CO 32 was at its peak saleswise, those intending to do what you want to do bought one of these
View attachment 149693

Could not be more different but similar size (and money) at the time. During the 70's and 80's over 40 recorded trans Atlantics and several continuing on through the Pacific, long before such things became commonplace. Not a boat you buy for sailing pleasure, but safe, comfortable and bullet proof. The CO was a product of the cruiser racer fashion at the time, bashing up and down the English Channel in all weathers. Don't think anybody, least of all its designer and builder ever imagined anybody would buy one for long term ocean voyaging. There have of course subsequently been several well known "endurance" type voyages, but the mainstream "liveaboard" new boat buyers very quickly found that boats like the Moodys, Westerlys, HRs, Contests etc were far better prospects (even if most of them had shallower underwater bodies) and the old style Nics etc that had filled that function died a death. Sure there were some like the Tradewind, Rustler, Halmatic 30 that hung on, but in penny numbers. This is of course a UK and to an extent European perspective as the US buyers hung on to the old ways, probably because their designers had access to far eastern builders who could turn out traditional style boats dripping with teak at compeitive prices.

BTW the Golden Hind is mine - a totally irrational purchase as I have no intention of wandering very far from Poole! it is a pleasure to own, though.

You were lucky to have found the right boat when you started sailing. Even if now she is relegated to a back-up. Most of us spend a fortune getting to the right boat.and a lot never do. I hate those adverts that say it is time to sell their beloved (*****) after 20 years of fun. I am so envious, I would resist buying it just to make them suffer like I have.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Well that looks a bit better now doesn’t it ?

I always quite fancied a Freedom like the one behind the GH for downwind and sunny climates cruising . Being a fan of unstayed rigs.

And now, one for the OP:

Well, if you’re going to look at She 31, might as well have a look at her big sisters as well ? And here’s one in Greece?
Not exactly bargain basement though so maybe not
1997 SHE 36 Cruiser for sale - YachtWorld

The She 36 is a fine example of creeping escalation. I am looking for something between the Moody and my IF-boat.

 

[BurnitBlue]

If you can't get your Moody to sail to windward there's something wrong; fix that rather than buying another boat. While it's a relatively high hull volume by the standard of mid-80s british design it's no wobbly floating caravan designed for mediterranean charter service, it should have no difficulty going to weather.

I am doing just that. Is it the boat or ME that needs fixing?

 

[FWB]

The She 36 is a fine example of creeping escalation. I am looking for something between the Moody and my IF-boat.

Perhaps think outside the box ?

 

[Blueboatman]

The She 36 is a fine example of creeping escalation. I am looking for something between the Moody and my IF-boat.

Yup
Well my last boat did that ?
I set the benchmark as a folkboat capable but bigger fun sailing boat . Ie a Co32
And bought a Rustler 36 . Don Pye described it as a big folkboat
It was a pretty good match

 

[penfold]

I am doing just that. Is it the boat or ME that needs fixing?

Is the rig set up correctly, how old are the sails, are they cut right?

 

[Tranona]

Well that looks a bit better now doesn’t it ?

I always quite fancied a Freedom like the one behind the GH for downwind and sunny climates cruising . Being a fan of unstayed rigs.

The Freedom is indeed a bluewater boat. It is an American version bought in Puerto Rica about 30 years ago and sailed back here. still owned by the same couple in their 80s and regularly used. does now have a bow thruster (as does my GH) so us oldies can get our unwieldy boats in and out on our own!

 

[Blueboatman]

The Freedom is indeed a bluewater boat. It is an American version bought in Puerto Rica about 30 years ago and sailed back here. still owned by the same couple in their 80s and regularly used. does now have a bow thruster (as does my GH) so us oldies can get our unwieldy boats in and out on our own!

Very sensible!
Nice heritage too
Enjoy ( I know you will ??)
My neighbour was very tolerant of my downwind-and-hard -left parking without a bow thruster on occasion ( lots of fenders )

 

[BurnitBlue]

Yup
Well my last boat did that ?
I set the benchmark as a folkboat capable but bigger fun sailing boat . Ie a Co32
And bought a Rustler 36 . Don Pye described it as a big folkboat
It was a pretty good match

No wonder you glibly suggested a She 36. Compared to what your Rustler 36 cost it's just peanuts for you. I could go for a Rustlet 31 or Twister but first i will stick with the Co32 for simplicity.

 

[BurnitBlue]

The Freedom is indeed a bluewater boat. It is an American version bought in Puerto Rica about 30 years ago and sailed back here. still owned by the same couple in their 80s and regularly used. does now have a bow thruster (as does my GH) so us oldies can get our unwieldy boats in and out on our own!

Wildlings sailing have been offered a cheap Freedom at a special price. Described in his vlog a few week ago. He turned it down.

 

[Blueboatman]

No wonder you glibly suggested a She 36. Compared to what your Rustler 36 cost it's just peanuts for you. I could go for a Rustlet 31 or Twister but first i will stick with the Co32 for simplicity.

Not really
But I have never owned 3 boats either !

 

[Blueboatman]

Wildlings sailing have been offered a cheap Freedom at a special price. Described in his vlog a few week ago. He turned it down.

Iirc they have a lot of balsa coring , topsides and all
And carbon masts
So potentially not simple if there’s age related uv, decay and wear or water ingress..
But. Slippery and easy and fun to sail ( and spacious down below )
Maybe after the Co32

 

[Daydream believer]

With due respect, if the Op does not actually know if the problem with his Moody is due to poor sails, then it suggests to me that he does not know what he is looking at. In that case It might realistically be suggested that his sailing ability is not the greatest. Yes, one might be able to cross an ocean, but that does not mean that one is sailing the boat efficiently. If I am wrong then I apologise.

Knowing how to reef, get in & out of berths, or navigate A-B are important. But actually sailing the boat well sometimes escapes one.

It seems to me that the problem might be- Note I say might- a poorly set up rig, poor sails & poor windward sailing technique. That will not be solved by buying a Contessa. If the OP cannot sail in the first place, then he will not sail any better with a different boat.

I might be well out of order here & there is no intention to upset the Op. However, it may be down to some lessons from a professional. He will tell you if your sails are shot. Then a chat to a rigger & get a decent (There are some poor ones) sailmaker & get each on board to look & advise on the sails & the rig. Go to a sailmaker with a pedigree. Not some cheepo local selling cheepo dacron sail cloth. Go to a company with a racing pedigree.

Making a boat "sail well", as opposed to making a boat "sail", takes time & effort. To many it does not matter. To others, it is beyond them, without guidance.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Not really
But I have never owned 3 boats either !

I hate it when people remember what I wrote hours ago.

 

[Blueboatman]

I hate it when people remember what I wrote hours ago.

Me too ??
But essentially we’re all rooting for you

 

[BurnitBlue]

With due respect, if the Op does not actually know if the problem with his Moody is due to poor sails, then it suggests to me that he does not know what he is looking at. In that case It might realistically be suggested that his sailing ability is not the greatest. Yes, one might be able to cross an ocean, but that does not mean that one is sailing the boat efficiently. If I am wrong then I apologise.

Knowing how to reef, get in & out of berths, or navigate A-B are important. But actually sailing the boat well sometimes escapes one.

It seems to me that the problem might be- Note I say might- a poorly set up rig, poor sails & poor windward sailing technique. That will not be solved by buying a Contessa. If the OP cannot sail in the first place, then he will not sail any better with a different boat.

I might be well out of order here & there is no intention to upset the Op. However, it may be down to some lessons from a professional. He will tell you if your sails are shot. Then a chat to a rigger & get a decent (There are some poor ones) sailmaker & get each on board to look & advise on the sails & the rig. Go to a sailmaker with a pedigree. Not some cheepo local selling cheepo dacron sail cloth. Go to a company with a racing pedigree.

Making a boat "sail well", as opposed to making a boat "sail", takes time & effort. To many it does not matter. To others, it is beyond them, without guidance.

Why isn't there a dis-like button?

 

[Daydream believer]

Why isn't there a dis-like button?

There is an angry button if I have upset you. But I had no intention of doing so. If you want me to delete the post then I will. It will not make your moody go any faster though