Contessa 32

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Jimbo1972

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Hello

I am considering buying a boat, budget £30-35k. My wife and I are pretty experienced, lots of racing and atlantic crossings on bigger boats, 45ft plus but belonging to others.

For about 5 years we had our own classic day boat (XOD) that we used for racing only.

Now have a young familty (2 small kids plus dog) and am considering getting a boat again.

I love the look of the Contessa 32 and it fits the budget. Dont really want anything longer, also not interested in high volume boats that look ugly. Also not interetsed in any projects, the budget is for a boat which is well maintained and seaworthy.

Any suggestions, advice or otherwise? I cant seem to be able to find any buyers guides on line for the Contessa which is stange given its agee. Any pitfalls to look out for?

Thanks
 
Hi Jimbo,
AI am a long-time Co32 owner and sailor feel free to drop me a PM and I can email you some info. The Class Association website has a large selection of technical articles available to members on many different subjects. There are also some buyers guides kicking around that I need to consolidate into one master copy and make it available online (when time allows).

Drop me an email or phone number and I will see what I can dig out for you.

The original and current builder (Jeremy Rogers) is also a good source of advice so they are worth a call.

Good choice BTW.

George
 
The trouble with small kids is that they grow into bigger kids.
The Co32 is small inside and may not be the best compromise, even if you leave the dog on deck.
There are more modern boats which are not too ugly, surely?
X332 would be my choice of 32ft, but a bit pricey.

There are loads of boats out there to look at, maybe a chat with a broker would be a good start.
I'm not anti Co32, but all boats are a compromise.
 
The CO32 is the wrong boat for a growing family. A Fulmar would be much better.

The right boat for the next 10 years would be a Bavaria 34 but it would take me 10 years to win that argument.
 
jonjo5 said:
The CO32 is the wrong boat for a growing family. A Fulmar would be much better.

The right boat for the next 10 years would be a Bavaria 34 but it would take me 10 years to win that argument.
Click to expand...

Sorry Jonjo but with the greatest respect that is a very subjective comment, surly suitability of choice is based on the sort of sailing (or racing) that the family want to do.

As a family of four that like to cruise for a few weeks of the year and enjoy round the can's one-design racing the Co32 fits the bill perfectly for us.

I'm not saying that you are right or wrong but we need to remember that every boat is a compromise and may or may not work for them depending on the requirements of the owner.
 
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Georgio said:
Sorry Jonjo but with the greatest respect that is a very subjective comment, surly suitability of choice is based on the sort of sailing (or racing) that the family want to do.

As a family of four that like to cruise for a few weeks of the year and enjoy round the can's one-design racing the Co32 fits the bill perfectly for us.

I'm not saying that you are right or wrong but we need to remember that every boat is a compromise and may or may not work for them depending on the requirements of the owner.
Click to expand...

The OP was asking for opinions!

For what its worth.. I think Jonjo is spot on... Contess is a lovely boat, but its slow, wet, small, and at 30-35k will not be in prime condition.

Buying a CO32 is a decision of the heart....

I would think a Sadler 32 would be a better suggestion... And if the budget would stretch to 50k then I would also say a Bavaria 34 (circa 99) would be spot on!

I would love a CO32... but my wife would hate it... and if the OP has been spending time on bigger boats.. then that is a big leap of faith into something like the CO32... I think you would have to be absolutley certain that that was the right boat!

:)
 
Georgio said:
Sorry Jonjo but with the greatest respect that is a very subjective comment
Click to expand...
But I can state objectively that 4 human beings need to wee and poo, on a CO32 that will take place behind a curtain 15" from sleeping crew forward. This might be manageable in the context of a young family, but when little Jimi is 15 years old and closing on 6ft tall that CO32 is going to seem like a prison cell.

I can also claim objectively that a CO32 was designed around the dimensions of national service vintage man, the family man OP is likely to be 3 or 4" taller.

Having said that if the main purpose of the vessel is Solent day sails including not too serious one-design racing then things swing in favour of the CO32.

p.s. If my interest in sailing was mainly 1+1 sailing I would be happy to own a CO32, but I would need to spend £30k at the JR re-manufacturing plant to get a typical example up to spec.
 
My wife and I owned a Centurion 32 for 16 years and sailed her with 3 teenage kids for some years. Would suggest is a better outright cruising boat than a CO32 although nearly as fast, but you don't get the class racing or association support. More solidly built and slightly bigger below. Worst features-the galley and forepeak headroom. Best features-good deep cockpit not swept by a tiller out of the cockpit floor, general seakeeping and pretty dry ride. Wauquiez built about 395 of them and you can find them all over Europe.
Also consider the Contest 33-Dutch built, comfortable and fast.
 
photodog said:
The OP was asking for opinions!

For what its worth.. I think Jonjo is spot on... Contess is a lovely boat, but its slow, wet, small, and at 30-35k will not be in prime condition.

Buying a CO32 is a decision of the heart....

I would think a Sadler 32 would be a better suggestion...
Click to expand...

I would concur, my father has always been a CO32 fan, harping on since I can remember, so out of respect I seriously looked at one. At 6'2" I found it a little cosy inside and moved on. Looked at a Nicky 32, was very tempted, felt bombproof but a little light on no. of berths. Would have loved a Sadler32 but SWMBO said no so it is the Fulmar we have and cant find a bad work to say against her.

Stuart
 
They look lovely but!

I wanted a Contessa 32 since my teens when I got into sailing. When Icould eventually afford a boat, mid forties with a family I looked at several Co but ultimately decided upon, you guessed it , a Fulmar. Absolutely no regrets. Its faster, much drier and with more space below and most importantly a seperate heads compartment and not a flimsy curtain.I club race and local regattas. I sail and race with a Co 32. They are best enjoyed looking at them, rather than onboard. I think they are a bit of a cult thing like MG cars.IMHO
 
I've had both a Fulmar and a CO32. As always it depends on your priorities. I never got pleasure from just looking at the Fulmar, and no-one ever said "what a lovely boat". Lots more room below in the F with a pilot berth that is useable by normal people; storage is about the same below but the F's cockpit locker is sorely missed. When it comes to sailing, the F may be faster but the CO32 is much more an extension of the helmsman, never slams, never gripes up when overpressed, just leans over a bit more. For short-handed sailing the CO32 has tiller, mainsheet, genny winches all easily to hand and it doesn't try to decapitate you in a gybe. Both have sensible deep cockpits rather than a shallow depression on top of a rear cabin. If you run a F aground the keel gets pushed up and expensive repairs to hull/ladder frame are needed, all the CO32 gets is a chip on the keel - I wasn't aboard for the first one and the second wasn't my fault, honest!

So, for me heart and soul says CO32 but I'm quite envious of my mate's Bendytoy which is faster, a lot more spacious but not as much fun to sail.
 
awol said:
I've had both a Fulmar and a CO32. As always it depends on your priorities. I never got pleasure from just looking at the Fulmar, and no-one ever said "what a lovely boat". Lots more room below in the F with a pilot berth that is useable by normal people; storage is about the same below but the F's cockpit locker is sorely missed. When it comes to sailing, the F may be faster but the CO32 is much more an extension of the helmsman, never slams, never gripes up when overpressed, just leans over a bit more. For short-handed sailing the CO32 has tiller, mainsheet, genny winches all easily to hand and it doesn't try to decapitate you in a gybe. Both have sensible deep cockpits rather than a shallow depression on top of a rear cabin. If you run a F aground the keel gets pushed up and expensive repairs to hull/ladder frame are needed, all the CO32 gets is a chip on the keel - I wasn't aboard for the first one and the second wasn't my fault, honest!

So, for me heart and soul says CO32 but I'm quite envious of my mate's Bendytoy which is faster, a lot more spacious but not as much fun to sail.
Click to expand...

Cant disagree with any of that. The bit about grounding would be common to any fin keel boat but I would suggest that the Fulmar could take more punishment in that area than some more extreme or even current mass market offerings.
 
Hello

I am considering buying a boat, budget £30-35k. My wife and I are pretty experienced, lots of racing and atlantic crossings on bigger boats, 45ft plus but belonging to others.

For about 5 years we had our own classic day boat (XOD) that we used for racing only.

Now have a young familty (2 small kids plus dog) and am considering getting a boat again.

I love the look of the Contessa 32 and it fits the budget. Dont really want anything longer, also not interested in high volume boats that look ugly. Also not interetsed in any projects, the budget is for a boat which is well maintained and seaworthy.

Any suggestions, advice or otherwise? I cant seem to be able to find any buyers guides on line for the Contessa which is stange given its agee. Any pitfalls to look out for?



I got side tracked by the folks extolling the virtues of the Fulmar. My neighbour , in the yard, has CO32. from circa 1976, He has had to do considerable updating over the years. New engine. etc At the moment he is having to replace all the windows as they leak like sieves. New cabin sole. These are just a few of the things he has let on about. All boats of an age need upgrade and maintenance. Do not under estimate the annual cost of keeping older boats useable , especially if you are going to race her. To be competitve in a CO32 you will have to keep your sails in good condition. Handicap officers are reluctant to substantially alter PY for a CO as its almost the 'gold standard' reference point for all other boats atleast it is in our club. The Cruiser Sec has a CO32.

Thanks[/QUOTE]
 
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