Contessa 33 vs Contessa 32

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kgp100

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Does anyone know the main differences apart from age? Is it true only thirty contessa 33s were ever made? For a slow sail around the uk mainly double handed but sometime single handed what would you go for in the 30" size range and in the 20 - 30k price range. Sigma 33? Westerly?

Looking forward to some interesting comments thanks in advance.
 
Contessa 33s will have a had a hard life due to their excellent racing capabilites - they're still contenders now.

You will have to spend some money bringing one you bought up to scratch I would think
 
i know one skipper who has had a 33 from new.
for comfort & sea keeping i would have the 32 i owned one for 10 yrs /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. a bit slow by modern standards but very comfy @ sea /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
marinas somthing else /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
They are completely different designs. The 33 is more like a Sigma 33, has a bolt on keel and a fractional rig. The 32 has an encapsulated keel with a deep forefoot and the front half is more like a long keeled yacht, the 32's keel is then cut away aft of midships. The 32 has a mast head rig. The 33 has roomier accommodation. Owners of each will sing their individual praises. I've got a 32 so I'm biased one way. My 32 has been a superb sea boat and is a joy to sail either single or multi handed.
 
I would endorse what has been said about them being very different boats.

32 is heavy and comparitively slow with masthead rig, big genny and are pretty bullet proof. Long time since I sailed one but I seem to recall they are tricky down wind in a blow especially when the masthead kite takes charge (no exceeding hull speed) but will go to windward in just about anything.

Never sailed a 33 but they go well as you may expect from a more modern Humphrey's design (pretty sure Humphreys). Fractional rig with jumpers and runners I think, comparatively light and still competitive. I imagine exceed hull speed fairly easily downwind with some waves and probably track well.

Horses for courses I guess! I'd be inclined towards the Co 33 in preference to the Co 32 or Sigma 33 or any Westerley but that's just my view!
 
I would look for a boat that was well set up for single/short handed, a sigma 33 will be rigged with winches arranged to be operated efficiently by a crew of about six, may be awkward alone. On a limited budget you don't want to be changing too much capital equipment, so look for a boat that already has a good roller reefing genoa system, reliable motor etc. Other than that, any of these boats will make it around GB if you're realistic about the weather, personally I would look for something tough, well equipped and reasonably fast and spacious inside, so sorry, not the Co32!
Good luck, I'm jealous!
 
I used to own a Contessa 33. She was one of the finest boats I've ever owned. Excellent build quality, Kevlar reinforced bows, lead keel, qualilty deck gear nice ash joinery, good ergonomics. Some of the electrics and the Volvo engine being the only weak points.

The first two seasons where spent double handed racing in the Channel. The next two where spent on an Atlantic Circuit, where she proved to be an able and fast ocean cruiser.

Now I know why a wistful look came over previous Contessa 33 owners whom we met on our travels.

PM me for more details.
 
Its very probable only 30 Contessa 33s were built. Despite being an excellent boat she didn't sell well, probably being over-built and over-priced.

She was designed by Rob Humphreys as was the similarly shaped Contessa 27. The 33 sails brilliantly and is extremely well balanced for a boat with such a fine underwater profile (a trade mark of Humphreys designs).

I would not normally recommend a sporty boat like the 33 for short handed, long distance cruising except that she is so well balanced and easy to sail. Properly set up and with, perhaps, some minor modifications to deck gear I think she would do the job very well.

The Contessa 32 is from a different and older generation; an excellent boat too which will look after you and sail well, but not as quickly as the 33. But if you are spending a lot of time on board you will sooner or later hanker after the space of the 33.
 
We looked at the CO 32, CO 33 and Sigma when we came to choosing our boat and had a similar budget to you. I had my heart set on a CO32 as they look beautiful, sail well and are very well regarded but on seeing the first one I realised just how small they are down below so had to rule it out as we have 4 kids. If there are only going to be two of you then I'm sure a 32 would be fine but the other two are much more practical from a space perspective. The CO33 I sailed on went very nicely too and handled well though I suspect finding a good one might be more tricky as not that many were built. We ended up with a Sigma 33 as the right one came along at the right price and are very pleased with her. We have no difficulty cruising her two up even with no roller furling & the standard racing setup, though self tailing winches would be useful !
HTH
Chris
 
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