Picoquestions
New Member
Which boat would be best suited for all scenarios as a solo circumnavigation yacht assuming the chosen boat would be set up properly
Contessa 38 v Victoria 34
- Thread starter Picoquestions
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Tranona
Well-Known Member
Two very different boats and either might be suitable. People use a huge variety of boats for solo circumnavigations so impossible to say which is "best". Just too many variables and personal preferences. Success seems to depend more on the capability of the individual rather than the chosen boat.
Fr J Hackett
Well-Known Member
I would say the Victoria 34, it will be a better load carrier and the sail plan easier handled.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Why would the Victoria 34, which is shorter LWL and c.1.5 tons lighter, be a “better load carrier” than a Contessa 38?
Also ease of sail handling probably more determined by fit out than boat at that size and age. Self tailing winches and ropes led aft probably make more difference than a small size difference at these modest sized boats. And going blue water, again a bit of extra length often helps.
potentillaCO32
Well-Known Member
Contessa 38 is as rare as a rare thing.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Yes, but perhaps there is one currently available (if genuine ad) https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boats/contessa/38
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
Ooooh! I could almost very nearly afford that....
potentillaCO32
Well-Known Member
Is "well used and well cared for" broker speak for shagged out??
doug748
Well-Known Member
You would want to investigate the "Tax not paid" element of the deal but, on the face of it, looks a very good boat. Has a well used and well looked after vibe to it and very well set up for long distance sailing.
I'd be happy with either boat for the job.
.
DoubleEnder
Well-Known Member
The Contessa. She’s way prettier, and since it will be just you and her ………
Chiara’s slave
Well-Known Member
Still a gloss to the topsides, she looks quite tidy as we pass her. Which is every time we go to our mooring. Certainly worth a trip to a serious enquirer.
I can see our boat in one of those pictures.
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pretzel_logic
Active Member
From personal experience only, the Victoria 34 is a lovely boat. I've done a lot of sailing in one over the last 30 years, including down to the Med and back and across the Atlantic from Bermuda and I was quite happy that she was more than capable of dealing with pretty much anything.
Whether she is more suitable is a difficult one, partly because being four feet shorter than the Contessa, it's not really a fair comparison.
Whether she is more suitable is a difficult one, partly because being four feet shorter than the Contessa, it's not really a fair comparison.
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
I'd go for the Victoria 34 'cos I'm only little.
mrming
Well-Known Member
The Contessa 38 looks expensive, particularly if you have to pay 20% VAT on top of the asking price. Large haggle required.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Yes, needs investigation into its VAT status. If it has lost its UK status because it has changed hands outside the UK then the seller will have to import it before he sells it to a UK resident. He may find that problematic.
Goldie
Well-Known Member
I’ve sailed both (a few hundred nm in the Co 38 and a few thousand in the Vic 34) and enjoyed both and either would ‘do the job’.
Speaking generically rather than looking at individual examples and assuming that both boats are of similar condition and similarly equipped, I’d choose the Co 38 for the better performance, aft cabin sea berth options on both sides, more storage and, particularly if thinking of heading away from the tropical routes, the more ‘ocean proof’ companionway - providing the knees are up to it.
As always with an older boat, condition is everything!
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Chiara’s slave
Well-Known Member
It’s been there over a year. You’d think something would have happened if it was going to, but always best to be sure. I’ll probably see Roy (broker) in the next few days, I might ask him. He’s a straight talking kind of guy.
MikeBz
Well-Known Member
The Dawn 39 is essentially a reworked and improved (so I read) Contessa 38. There is one on Apolloduck at present. Whilst I’m a big fan of Chuck Paine’s designs I would go for the bigger boat for a circumnavigation for comfort reasons at least.
Goldie
Well-Known Member
I agree Mike, and I do like the Dawn 39, but I believe that the rework of the Co 38 to become the Dawn 39 included modifying the design from shaft drive to sail drive and that, both for my preference and for the OP’s intended use, leads me to prefer the Co 38.
Mike Bryon
Well-Known Member
The Dawn (figures from sailboatdata) offers a SA/disp ratio of 22.13 compared to the Contessa 38's 15.29 and from my experience has better light wind performance. It also offers more/'better organised' space below and wheel steering (the Contessa with tiller can suffer weather helm). Arguably, the Dawn has better close quarter handling but many (not all) were home completed so variable quality/finish below.
