Contessa 32 purchase advice. Newbie here. Yatch world purchase

[PaulRainbow]

I would question the details of the advert regarding the engine as we have a Contessa of this age at our marina with its original engine and it is not 18HP It is an elderly Yanmar single cylinder Horizontal.

18HP is an unusual rating for 1973. It could be a Yanmar 20 GM from the 80s/90s or a Volvo 2002 80's . I would check this.

Very easy to check, there is a picture of the 2 cylinder, 18hp Sabb in the advert

 

[flinny]

www.PhoenixYachtClub.co.uk did me very well - I got my competent crew with them, with an instructor who also works for Boss; later I also got my Coastal Skipper with them. See also www.BrightonBelle.org

If you sign up for tallships.org they often offer last-minute discounts if their trips are undersold. I did one on their ketch, which I'd recommend against but I'd like to sail on one of their Challengers.

Once I had my competent crew, that opened up loads of possibilities on the Solent Facebook crewing groups, from which I got:

• Dover-Solent delivery - literally the next day after I got my competent crew; the skipper was desperate and I was available ?
• Solent-Dartmouth-Camaret-Pornic-Île d'Yeu-Brest - with lots of other stops, about 900nm total, I think; 3 weeks sailing every day, over a period of 4 weeks
• An interview to crew for @Ningaloo, who subsequently ghosted me. ?
• Solent-Le Havre-Solent - there and back over a weekend
• a Solent day sail, which was an interview trip for:
• Olhão-Cadiz-Gibraltar and back - with more stops, sailing just about every day for 2 weeks

Then I did a mile-builder with www.SailracingAcademy.org, Solent to Malta over 4 weeks.

This was my first year sailing, in 2018. Obviously I had the advantage that it was in The Beforetimes, and that I was available to go sailing anytime I wanted (yet it was still somewhat frustrating how much time I spent idle).

amazing journey. thanks for sharing.
i'm east coast up north, but will keep your links, travel is not an issue.
i guess, i'll sign up for the crew skills even if it's not live-aboard, as from what your saying , their is opportunity for that, after.
thanks again

My advice to you is just to get as many miles as you can, as quickly and cheaply as possible.

 

[pvb]

Very easy to check, there is a picture of the 2 cylinder, 18hp Sabb in the advert

Indeed. And if you Google for contessa sabb you'll find references showing that lots of 50 year old Contessas had Sabb 2-cylinder engines.

 

[flinny]

Very easy to check, there is a picture of the 2 cylinder, 18hp Sabb in the advert

thanks for clearing this up

 

[flinny]

One thing I would look at regarding a Contessa 32 of this age is the woodwork under the seats around the table and the attachment of the hull to the lower port side of the forard bulkhead. This problem if it existed would certainly have been fixed in Pwllheli if not before but wise to check for any distress in these areas which is easily seen from the seat lockers.

cheers...

 

[pvb]

I wouldn't put anyone off of giving it a go, i would try to offer some useful advise, which is what we're all doing in this thread (good to see that no-one has recommended the OP take up dinghy sailing for 20 years before buying a 16 footer and slowly working up the ranks)

In the last 20 years, there seems to have been a shift towards getting sailing qualifications, rather than just learning on your own and at your own pace. Friends were horrified when I went to the Boat Show in the mid-70s and ordered a new Westerly Centaur, despite never having sailed a dinghy. Some 40-odd years later, I still haven't sailed a dinghy but I'm happy to singlehand my 37ft AWB. And I still don't have any "qualifications".

 

[KompetentKrew]

i'm east coast up north, but will keep your links, t

www.sailingnortheast.com would appear to be near you.

There's also a Facebook group, Sailing and Cruising UK, which might be worth joining.

 

[flinny]

I would question the details of the advert regarding the engine as we have a Contessa of this age at our marina with its original engine and it is not 18HP It is an elderly Yanmar single cylinder Horizontal.

18HP is an unusual rating for 1973. It could be a Yanmar 20 GM from the 80s/90s or a Volvo 2002 80's . I would check this.

One thing I would look at regarding a Contessa 32 of this age is the woodwork under the seats around the table and the attachment of the hull to the lower port side of the forard bulkhead. This problem if it existed would certainly have been fixed in Pwllheli if not before but wise to check for any distress in these areas which is easily seen from the seat lockers.

i've read a few times that the shrouds are not that strong, especially the aft ones, attached to the chain plates and require a modification bolt.
are you familiar with this and would such a modification be easy to spot internally, on a viewing...

 

[steveeasy]

I hate to be negative but the idea that you might progress from no experience to a charter skipper on your own boat in a couple of years is, as KompetentKrew says, a fantasy.
The charter market is more about holiday than sailing, especially non-bareboat. Do you have a background in hospitality that fits the role of hotelier, caterer and tour guide? Expectations are high and most of the charter fleets in the med consist of boats less than 5 years old, probably costing 300k+ new, more for a catamaran.

The boats I have owned are very different to the Contessa and personally I don't see its appeal. I look for a boat that will first and foremost, be comfortable to live on as I spend 4-5 months a year aboard. This means standing headroom, large galley and heads plus plenty of storage. Secondary (but increasingly important as my sailing skills have improved over the years) is sailing ability. Here I'm looking for a fast but easy to sail boat as I'm often solo or with inexperienced crew. So no large genoa and all lines led back to winches beside the steering position. Finally reliability is important, which for me rules out boats the age of a Contessa.

Think of the Contessa as a vintage car, nice to look at but totally impractical for anything other than a short Sunday drive to the pub. In contrast, your everyday car which may not be as pretty, but starts every time, fits the family in and does not cost a fortune to maintain.

This may sound harsh, and your dream clearly isn't mine, but like many others here, I think you need to get basic sailing experience before investing a serious amount of money in such an old boat.

That's exactly what a contessa is, A classic sailing boat, well id prefer a little more wood, but great to look at, turns heads, (have you watched one sail past you on the water). Well worth the compromise inside. sailing is not about having a winybago, its about sailing and the frill of being able to sleep on board while on the hook or while tied up. The bigger the boat, the more difficult it is to maneuver. The thrill of pulling in the mainsheet with the wind hard on the beam, tiller in the hand as the hull lifts out the water. As for being totally impractical other than a short sunday drive, Really.
When you look at the boat you like your buy it. your take no notice, your know what you like and the best of luck.
Steveeasy

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Something like this would do the job, you won't be sailing around the world in it or getting over excited with the sailing but it would be comfy, unlikely to drown you and easy to get rid of:

Bavaria 32 Used Boat for Sale 1997 | TheYachtMarket

.

The name on that boat is clearly the boat he wanted but was convinced by heathens on a forum to buy something else.

As for the contessa in question. It was on my list. I chose a Twister on looks. My engine is as old as the one in question and purrs like a kitten.

 

[awol]

Not aft shrouds but cap shrouds - there should be flats for the nuts to tighten onto. Early boats had no flats and there was at least one case of the nuts splitting. Easily fixed, even with the mast up.
I bought my CO32 and never regretted it but it wasn't just for a couple of years. I reckon I have spent about 3x her purchase price over the years on sails, bits, and, of course, parking.

 

[doug748]

Just as well get maximum benefit from your viewing. Here is a link to a short checklist from the Class Association website:

http://www.co32.org/sites/default/files/Co32HealthCheck.pdf

It explains the shroud fix, which was filing a flat on the round bar used to secure the U bolt. (as, I see awol has explained) I doubt any of these exist now. Most will have been modified, in various ways 30 years ago.

I think there was an earlier query about tankage?
That boat has the original water tank with the aluminium inspection hatch, these often seized up and in the late/mid 70's were replaced, on new boats, with plastic. If you can get the hatch off it is not unusual to find bubbles in the GRP tank.
The fuel tanks were stainless so the original is probably still in place, they are generally fine but any problem will probably be down to leaking/corrosion around the welds - particularly if there has been water in the bottom of the tank.
Have the sea cocks been changed as part of the refurbishment? Proabably/hopefully not. The originals were Blakes and most people would want to keep them unless physically damaged.

The boat lacks it's cockpit grating, you can still buy them new from Jeremy Rogers. I have no idea what the cost is but would be surprised if you got change from a grand. If you raced with a full crew water will spurt up the drains so they can be useful.

The Association website has other stuff that may interest you, drawings etc. The Facebook page is very active, with knowledgeable, helpful people.

.

 

[steveeasy]

The name on that boat is clearly the boat he wanted but was convinced by heathens on a forum to buy something else.

As for the contessa in question. It was on my list. I chose a Twister on looks. My engine is as old as the one in question and purrs like a kitten.

Hes bitten. It does not matter how many other boats are suggested. Hes got it. he has been bitten, He knows theres only one boat for him. Just a matter of time. \How exciting.
Steveeasy

 

[flinny]

Hes bitten. It does not matter how many other boats are suggested. Hes got it. he has been bitten, He knows theres only one boat for him. Just a matter of time. \How exciting.
Steveeasy

ha ha...
it's a tug of war battle...

i'll keep you all updated after the viewing and will dig deep into its bones with a camera post any queries...
the main thing is, i at least turn up to the viewing. it's my first one and what a boat she is...

 

[awol]

The boat lacks it's cockpit grating, you can still buy them new from Jeremy Rogers. I have no idea what the cost is but would be surprised if you got change from a grand. If you raced with a full crew water will spurt up the drains so they can be useful.

Other grating suppliers are available - Taff Howells ~£600ish

 

[flinny]

Just as well get maximum benefit from your viewing. Here is a link to a short checklist from the Class Association website:

http://www.co32.org/sites/default/files/Co32HealthCheck.pdf

It explains the shroud fix, which was filing a flat on the round bar used to secure the U bolt. (as, I see awol has explained) I doubt any of these exist now. Most will have been modified, in various ways 30 years ago.

I think there was an earlier query about tankage?
That boat has the original water tank with the aluminium inspection hatch, these often seized up and in the late/mid 70's were replaced, on new boats, with plastic. If you can get the hatch off it is not unusual to find bubbles in the GRP tank.
The fuel tanks were stainless so the original is probably still in place, they are generally fine but any problem will probably be down to leaking/corrosion around the welds - particularly if there has been water in the bottom of the tank.
Have the sea cocks been changed as part of the refurbishment? Proabably/hopefully not. The originals were Blakes and most people would want to keep them unless physically damaged.

The boat lacks it's cockpit grating, you can still buy them new from Jeremy Rogers. I have no idea what the cost is but would be surprised if you got change from a grand. If you raced with a full crew water will spurt up the drains so they can be useful.

The Association website has other stuff that may interest you, drawings etc. The Facebook page is very active, with knowledgeable, helpful people.

.

yeah, i had a feeling that the water tank was the original. is the "aluminium inspection hatch", the circle bolted hatch in the bilge? The one that looks terrible in the photos on yatch world pictures?

thanks for the heads up on the association website. i have been there however the forum is not taking members at the moment. will check oujt the website though. thanks

 

[V1701]

I think the right buyer for that boat would be an enthusiast who knows exactly what he or she wants and intends to keep for some time. By all means go and have a look but I'd try to reign in your enthusiasm a bit. Get yourself something a bit smaller with recentish engine, standing rigging and sails for half the money would be my suggestion. Forgive me if this has already been covered but have you ever sailed?

Edit: Re training, you could start by doing RYA Day Skipper Online, I'd bypass Competent Crew if I were you and do DS Practical as soon as sailing schools are allowed to open again and go from there...

Most of all, best of luck with your plans...

 

[Bilgediver]

i've read a few times that the shrouds are not that strong, especially the aft ones, attached to the chain plates and require a modification bolt.
are you familiar with this and would such a modification be easy to spot internally, on a viewing...

Any problems here would be picked up by your surveyor. It seems some Contessa 32's had round nuts however if these have not been replaced by hex nuts then at worst you would need to replace the chain plates with new metric ones which are readily available to the same size either straight pull or angled pull. I would recommend the ones with the welded base plate. I would also check the deck for distortion in the area of the chain plates and check the wooden backing plate beneath the deck for dampness which would indicated leakage from above deck. This could cause there to be a risk of crevice crack corrosion at the threads of the chain plate at the top of the nut. I had one of these fail on my Westerly when doing a rudimentary test. There were signs of discoloration at the nut. The mast was down for winter .

The design must be adequate if correctly maintained as I don t believe there is a history of fallen masts with these boats.

 

[steveeasy]

I think the right buyer for that boat would be an enthusiast who knows exactly what he or she wants and intends to keep for some time. By all means go and have a look but I'd try to reign in your enthusiasm a bit. Get yourself something a bit smaller with recentish engine, standing rigging and sails for half the money would be my suggestion...

Your wasting your time. He cant resit the pull of a boat that will stand out and have admiring crowds. superb lines as it cuts through the water with what can only be described as a wonderful looking rear end. On a sunny day out on the Solent with the wind blowing, how could you ever possibly consider anything other than a true classic. You could however get yourself something far more sensible.So So Funny.

Steveeasy

 

[KompetentKrew]

Immediately after viewing this Contessa 32, I advise viewing at least one or two boats of about the same length which are less than 20 years old.

Even if you don't love them, and even if it's not what you want to buy - give yourself something to compare to.