Contessa 32 GRP Quality

[SonicArmin]

I'm looking to buy a Contessa 32 in good condition. Today I looked at one on offer and was shocked to see the lousy GRP quality. For some reason the lining above the pilot berth had been removed, so I was able to see the raw, untreated hull from the inside. And it wasn't pretty. I took the pictures lying on my back head first inside the pilot berth, looking towards the nav station. One is shot in natural light and one with flash. The ellipse marks an area in which one GRP sheet appears totally delaminated from the main structure. Should/can that happen with time or is that just shoddy workmanship to begin with? In the natural light shot one can see huge variations in the amount of daylight penetrating the deck - is that normal?

Happy New Year everybody!

 

[Gentleman of Leisure]

I remember the first time I looked outwards from the quarter berth on my Mirage 28 - I was shocked at the translucency of it. I think the quality of the layup on the boat you're looking at is normal for a boat of that age and not a matter of concern.

 

[Concerto]

If there was no gel coat, there would be plenty of light entering from outside. The variation in colour is due to the variable thickness of gel coat. This looks normal to me, but if you are unsure then make sure your surveyor checks this for you. As to the ringed area, this looks like later work than the mouldings themselves. It may be a hull joint using chopped mat or a potential repair, I cannot tell from the photo.

If you are considering a Contessa 32, might I also suggest looking at Westerly Fulmars. I am biased as I have a Fulmar, but they are a beautifully balanced boat to sail and have a better internal volume , plus they sail faster. If you want detailed advice on Fulmars, I am a Westerly Boatline member for the Fulmar. Check out the Westerly Owners web site for details, plus look for any post with the same photo avatar to see photos of my Fulmar (sorry not for sale).

 

[doug748]

I'm looking to buy a Contessa 32 in good condition. Today I looked at one on offer and was shocked to see the lousy GRP quality. For some reason the lining above the pilot berth had been removed, so I was able to see the raw, untreated hull from the inside. And it wasn't pretty. I took the pictures lying on my back head first inside the pilot berth, looking towards the nav station. One is shot in natural light and one with flash. The ellipse marks an area in which one GRP sheet appears totally delaminated from the main structure. Should/can that happen with time or is that just shoddy workmanship to begin with? In the natural light shot one can see huge variations in the amount of daylight penetrating the deck - is that normal?

Happy New Year everybody!

That shot looks painfully familiar, I even recognise the archaeological remains of masking tape.

I don't think Contessa 32 mouldings of 70's were top notch in terms of GRP work, probably about average. They were knocking out a lot of boats and probably well stretched. It may have been better if they had charged top dollar but I guess that is not the way to grow a business; what do I know?
Also look at internal radii on deck for signs of cracking and small voids here and there which were probably left due to bubbles within the gelcoat and need to be filled.
I can't quite remember, but I think the mat you have circled may be tabbing for the englne bay liner, a bit like the piece on the electrical wiring in the same shot. As such it is not part of the layup so maybe not a big deal in itself, but not great to see. If you or I were doing it we would glass in the full length and make a grand job, that's production for you : -(. The variation in light through the GRP seems pretty universal to me but I don't have the widest experience of different types in this respect.

The good news is that Contessa moulding have stood up very well with few serious problems, they were never the heaviest built boats reflecting their racing heritage. If you post your pictures on the Contessa 32 Facebook page you would have access to folk of the widest experience

 

[JumbleDuck]

The issue doesn't seem to be with the mouldings, but with a bodged join between them: inadequately wetted glass inadequately pushed against an inadequately prepared surface. The good news is that repair is relatively easy: pull or cut off the old bridging bits and replace with nice new woven rove and epoxy (which bonds better to old polyester). However, since this isn't your boat I'd strongly suggest looking for one which doesn't need repair.

 

[SonicArmin]

If there was no gel coat, there would be plenty of light entering from outside. The variation in colour is due to the variable thickness of gel coat. This looks normal to me, but if you are unsure then make sure your surveyor checks this for you. As to the ringed area, this looks like later work than the mouldings themselves. It may be a hull joint using chopped mat or a potential repair, I cannot tell from the photo.

If you are considering a Contessa 32, might I also suggest looking at Westerly Fulmars. I am biased as I have a Fulmar, but they are a beautifully balanced boat to sail and have a better internal volume , plus they sail faster. If you want detailed advice on Fulmars, I am a Westerly Boatline member for the Fulmar. Check out the Westerly Owners web site for details, plus look for any post with the same photo avatar to see photos of my Fulmar (sorry not for sale).

Thanks, I will definitely take a look!

 

[SonicArmin]

That shot looks painfully familiar, I even recognise the archaeological remains of masking tape.

I don't think Contessa 32 mouldings of 70's were top notch in terms of GRP work, probably about average. They were knocking out a lot of boats and probably well stretched. It may have been better if they had charged top dollar but I guess that is not the way to grow a business; what do I know?
Also look at internal radii on deck for signs of cracking and small voids here and there which were probably left due to bubbles within the gelcoat and need to be filled.
I can't quite remember, but I think the mat you have circled may be tabbing for the englne bay liner, a bit like the piece on the electrical wiring in the same shot. As such it is not part of the layup so maybe not a big deal in itself, but not great to see. If you or I were doing it we would glass in the full length and make a grand job, that's production for you : -(. The variation in light through the GRP seems pretty universal to me but I don't have the widest experience of different types in this respect.

The good news is that Contessa moulding have stood up very well with few serious problems, they were never the heaviest built boats reflecting their racing heritage. If you post your pictures on the Contessa 32 Facebook page you would have access to folk of the widest experience

Thanks, I'll do that with the next one. I passed on this specific opportunity - going over the hundred odd pics I shot during the first visit at the boat I realised that there must have been a collision or some other impact, which the owner failed to disclose. Moving on...

 

[SonicArmin]

Thanks, I will definitely take a look!

If there was no gel coat, there would be plenty of light entering from outside. The variation in colour is due to the variable thickness of gel coat. This looks normal to me, but if you are unsure then make sure your surveyor checks this for you. As to the ringed area, this looks like later work than the mouldings themselves. It may be a hull joint using chopped mat or a potential repair, I cannot tell from the photo.

If you are considering a Contessa 32, might I also suggest looking at Westerly Fulmars. I am biased as I have a Fulmar, but they are a beautifully balanced boat to sail and have a better internal volume , plus they sail faster. If you want detailed advice on Fulmars, I am a Westerly Boatline member for the Fulmar. Check out the Westerly Owners web site for details, plus look for any post with the same photo avatar to see photos of my Fulmar (sorry not for sale).

I had a quick look - the Fumar fits the bill, no doubt. Once concern - all the available boats I saw in a quick search showed floppy/discolored/badly repaired headliners - I know that problem from a number of early Jeanneaus I had a look at - looks terrible and seems basically impossible to repair to a satisfying level. What do you think about that?

 

[Mud Lark]

If I'm seeing that right the photo is taken looking forward, up at the side deck with the rounding up into the coaming on the left?
Where you've circled there should be a horizontal grp shelf bonded to the hull moulding, around 4" wide. The deck would have been dropped onto this shelf on wet resin/fibres/filler and more of the same poured into the gap under the bullwark capping to fill the voids.

We're on our second early '70s Contessa. Both of them have some rough GRP work hidden away in lockers, especially around the hull to deck join which is probably quite difficult to do neatly.

As best as I can tell by looking at the photos on my phone it looks like some of the shelf has been ground off, maybe to repair some collision damage?

If you haven't already joined the class association (co32.org) then I'd recommend you do. They publish an excellent buyers guide, have an active forum and very friendly Facebook group.

 

[Yellow Ballad]

If you're considering alternatives have a look at the Albin Ballad just as good in my eyes and half the price.

 

[doug748]

If I'm seeing that right the photo is taken looking forward, up at the side deck with the rounding up into the coaming on the left?

I see what you mean and think you are right, it looks to be starboard side looking forward towards the area of the switch panel. So it could be more evidence of accident damage, as mentioned by Sonic. Either that or someone has tried to stop a deck leak from the inside.

What threw me was the apparent glimpse of timber to the right of the marked ellipse - that should not be there, on the hull side.

 

[Concerto]

I had a quick look - the Fumar fits the bill, no doubt. Once concern - all the available boats I saw in a quick search showed floppy/discolored/badly repaired headliners - I know that problem from a number of early Jeanneaus I had a look at - looks terrible and seems basically impossible to repair to a satisfying level. What do you think about that?

All Westerly headlinings were fitted with foam backed vinyl and it has a life of about 30 years. My Fulmar has now had all the head lining changes, so looks like new. Some Fulmars have like mine been changed and ready for the next 30+ years. Many boats of this age had similar headlinings. Check out my photos at - Roger Clark

 

[Poey50]

See also the Sadler 32. There's a lot out there and currently a buyers' market.

 

[doug748]

Just a point of interest.....there is a Ballad for sale for c 14k which is outstanding. I suspect it belongs to a fellow forumite. The old dictum is: "Always buy the best you can afford". However, they are more race orientated design and, looking at your shortlist, probably not for you.

If your requirements are fairly typical and mainstream, I would seriously favour the Sadler 34 as the best alternative; they can be got for under 20k now and, for a crewed boat, the accommodation is lavish compared with the others, even if the sailing is more laid back.

 

[[70521]]

Don't look at any modern boats you can see the waves through the hull.

 

[ryanroberts]

That transparency in the forepeak did surprise me a little on a charter Bavaria.

 

[pvb]

All Westerly headlinings were fitted with foam backed vinyl and it has a life of about 30 years.

The foam headlining on the brand new Westerly Centaur I bought in 1976 lasted less than a year before it dropped off. Westerly replaced it under warranty.

The companionway hatch was also replaced under warranty as the fibreglass became badly discoloured. GRP production quality in those days wasn't great.

 

[pvb]

That transparency in the forepeak did surprise me a little on a charter Bavaria.

It's a normal thing; my old Hallberg-Rassy was similar.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

Looks to me like an untidy repair if some sort.
The C32 has an excellent reputation for build quality amongst other things. They are of a date where osmosis was a concern, if indeed osmosid concerns you much.
For my money I'd far rather have a Sadler 32, vastly more boat and space and little to choose between them in terms of performance.
The S34 is a nice boat but imo rather bulky and more Moody-like, it had lost that magic that defines the Contessa and it's more advanced derivative, the S32

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Isn't that normal for boats built in that era? I once had a UFO27 in which I renewed the headlining. With the old lining removed, it looked not dissimilar to what can be seen in your photos. Old Bumbulbum could be right about that being an untidy repair, but the material hanging down looks not unlike Clingfilm to me.
If it is actually glass fibre material you could give it a coat of clear epoxy with a little thickening added.