Help? Contessa 32, Sadler, centurion??

Cactus Sailing

Cactus Sailing

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 May 2013
Messages
444
Visit site
I have been searching for a contessa 32 for about 6 months now, the few that I have gone to view turn out to have too many things wrong with them, sketchy history and possible leaks in the coach roof being covered up, dodgy repairs to hulls with car body filler among other things so I've walked away, I haven't even managed to get a survey on one yet!! (maybe being a seasoned sailor and engineer I have a keen eye who knows!) but while searching sometimes occasionally up pops a sadler 32 or centurion or similar variant, while the layout is similar and it often is advertised as "a contessa alternative" obviously its not a contessa, should I consider these boats, as on paper they look OK

the other thing I don't understand is the difference between a contest and contessa, are the name similarities just a coincidence? as physically there are quite alike.

The reason I have decided on a Contessa is for many years this is the boat I have wanted due to sailing one, their performance and the availability of spares, I don't intend to race it, its just for the love of sailing, but whatever I buy my OCD will get the better of me and I will want to replace XYZ on it so on appearance it looks A1 condition, but finding a boat with a decent starting point is hard to come by, many are dogs just on the pictures and history without viewing them, yet similar boats as mentioned on paper look great with respectable historys and decent upkeep, it appears the contessa name adds 10k to the price tag of a rough boat, and anything decent just isn't for sale!

any help appreciated and maybe I just need more patience but its hard having the cash but nothing to buy!
 
Can't help finding you a boat - but what you have experienced so far reflects the fact that 40 year old boats are often worn out (at least the ones that are for sale!) and that the Contessa does command a premium.

As to the names, there is no connection between them. Contest is a Dutch company and Contessa is named after designer David Sadler's first folkboat Contessa of Parkstone.

Good luck with your search.
 
IMHO the only reason for going for a Contessa 32 is if you want to do one design racing. Otherwise you will end up paying a premium for a boat in worse condition than you might otherwise buy.

A number of posters on the forum (including myself) either own or have owned a Centurion 32. It is usually regarded as better built than the Contessa, and will often have been better looked after (as many Contessas will have been raced hard). So by this time the condition of a Centurion will usually be much better than a Contessa of similar age.

I would imagine similar considerations apply to other types but I don't have the first hand knowledge.
 
Take a look at a Sadler 34. Nicely built, MUCH better accommodation than a contessa, and sail nicely.
 
If you want a sound boat with decent reliability, the Sadler 32 is your best bet, but the excellent Centurion is much better looking to my eye and although I have never sailed one, it was a boat that I desired for many years. Although the Contessa is a good sailing boat, it would be too old-fashioned for me and the only reason for owning one would be in order to attract admiring comments. The fin-keeled Sadler sails much better than the bilge or shallow fin but the lifting keel is nearly as good.
 
Tranona said:
Can't help finding you a boat - but what you have experienced so far reflects the fact that 40 year old boats are often worn out (at least the ones that are for sale!) and that the Contessa does command a premium.

As to the names, there is no connection between them. Contest is a Dutch company and Contessa is named after designer David Sadler's first folkboat Contessa of Parkstone.

Good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info, yeah 40yr old boats will have some wear and tear, but there also well looked after examples which people can't hold on to forever, just like the used car market, there are lemon "classics" but also good classics out there, I don't mind doing "some work" but a complete re-fit is out of the question

Bobc said:
Take a look at a Sadler 34. Nicely built, MUCH better accommodation than a contessa, and sail nicely.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately 32ft is my self imposed limit, more for mooring reasons

johnalison said:
If you want a sound boat with decent reliability, the Sadler 32 is your best bet, but the excellent Centurion is much better looking to my eye and although I have never sailed one, it was a boat that I desired for many years. Although the Contessa is a good sailing boat, it would be too old-fashioned for me and the only reason for owning one would be in order to attract admiring comments. The fin-keeled Sadler sails much better than the bilge or shallow fin but the lifting keel is nearly as good.
Click to expand...

thanks, I will have a look, to be honest the way the boat looks is as important as the way it sails, (and I know I shouldn't think this way) one thing love about the contessa is the raised bow and its classic lines just from an aesthetics point of view.

in all honesty I am willing to spend £30k on a 32ft boat, or a portion of it on a cheaper boat with a view to repair, I could stretch higher to £40k but id rather not - we all want something cheaper right :) and that money is always contingency then, so if you think of something I haven't considered I am all ears!
 
Jim Schofield said:
Kenneth,

Have you thought about a Nicholson 32 ?

Fantastic sea boat, with at least two taking in next years Gloden Globe Race.

Jim

http://liffeysailor.blogspot.ie/
Click to expand...

yes! I like the lines on these too along with Elizabethan etc but... long keel and reversing is a nightmare so I am avoiding these for now, although I have never sailed on one but in general long keel is off the list
 
+1 for Sadler 32. We bought her for her lovely lines and sailing ability (deep fin version). There are plenty around as people who want big cabins for guests look elsewhere. And you can still get a good one as we did.
 
The Contessa is a very good package with some features it is almost impossible to get elsewhere but if you are after best value it would be better to look wider. There are a few around asking around 10k and, I think you are correct, if they were any other design they would be cheaper. I really would not consider one at this price.

There are a couple of fairly low owner 1980 boats on the web site with modern engines plus other bits and bobs but these are around 25k and at this price other options might be on the radar - like the Sadler 34, already mentioned. It is not unfair to say that you are probably paying a 6 - 10 thousand premium for these boats but remember, they were expensive to build and, whilst not up there with Nicholson's, were not cheap to buy.

Don't underestimate how much car body filler and bodges you will find in all boats; the 32s, as a class, have been pretty well looked after over the years as they have always been in production, demand has been good and they have never been unfashionable.

In the final analysis there are some good alternatives some of which have been mentioned, there is a Van De Stadt whose name I have forgotten, that looks identical to the Contessa - pehaps someone will tell us?
I might even look at Sadler 29s.
There is a lovely 38 with Red Ensign but now I am being silly!
 
As a long-time Contessa32 owner I'd suggest you just keep looking and wait for the right boat to come up. They are a popular boat and they do come at a slight premium over other similar aged/designed boats. The premium is retained when you sell so I don't see an issue there. Are they worth the premium? the market seems to support it and for those that want one only a Co32 will do. That's not to say they are perfect for all - no boat is.

Good examples always sell very quickly. I have known a few boats that have come up over the last couple of years that have sold within a week of being put up for sale, two did not even make it to the brokers because potential buyers had made themselves known to the class association and/or Jeremy Rogers yachts.

Worn and neglected examples can take a while to sell because owners put unrealistic prices on them for the work needed but eventually they sell.

I know of one good/well looked after boat currently for sale, I know the owner but have not been onboard for a while.

I am very involved in the Class association if you have any questions you are welcome to PM me with your email address.
 
Georgio said:
As a long-time Contessa32 owner I'd suggest you just keep looking and wait for the right boat to come up. They are a popular boat and they do come at a slight premium over other similar aged/designed boats. The premium is retained when you sell so I don't see an issue there. Are they worth the premium? the market seems to support it and for those that want one only a Co32 will do. That's not to say they are perfect for all - no boat is.

Good examples always sell very quickly. I have known a few boats that have come up over the last couple of years that have sold within a week of being put up for sale, two did not even make it to the brokers because potential buyers had made themselves known to the class association and/or Jeremy Rogers yachts.

Worn and neglected examples can take a while to sell because owners put unrealistic prices on them for the work needed but eventually they sell.

I know of one good/well looked after boat currently for sale, I know the owner but have not been onboard for a while.

I am very involved in the Class association if you have any questions you are welcome to PM me with your email address.
Click to expand...


If you could send me some details of the boat for sale or how to contact the owner, I have sent a pm with my details, also if you know of others coming up for sale I would appreciate the heads up.
 
The downside of the Contessa is the headroom. If that's an issue then then that Sadler 32 is the boat for you. I've heard it was designed as a Contessa 32 with better accommodation although how I'm not sure as there are huge differences in the keel. Sadlers have often been well maintained and there are some real bargains out there. Like you, I'd always cancel a Contessa but when I saw the Sadler I was converted immediately!
 
If you really appreciate attractive lines and a solid build then you should not discard the Centurion 32. Mine was 44 last month but I would rather have her than a modern boat.
If you've never sailed one you would be most welcome to try mine if you're ever in Malta. I am seventy and I doubt I will be holding on to her for much longer.

On the hard, last May:

IMG_0368_zpsc1ski98q.jpg


A little example of build quality. This is an inspection panel from the cabin sole; notice the solid wood construction instead of the more common striped plywood.

HPIM0922.jpg


Ok, I'm biased... but with good reason! ;)


 
Last edited:
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
If you really appreciate attractive lines and a solid build then you should not discard the Centurion 32. Mine was 44 last month but I would rather have her than a modern boat.
If you've never sailed one you would be most welcome to try mine if you're ever in Malta. I am seventy and I doubt I will be holding on to her for much longer.
Click to expand...

nice boat, Thank you for the kind offer, I will get to Malta one day but hopefully under my own sails, all part of the bigger plan as they say!

some modern boats are quite nice, I have chartered a fair few in Greece, the volume inside them is impressive especially when you charter boats around 40ft, I'd never own something that large though mooring it and upkeep costs are just beyond my means, but yes cant been a bit of hand crafted quality.
 
+1 for the Centurion. Had one for 16 years. Slightly more accommodation than the Contessa; sails as well; very well built; a quality job. Not as wet, but slightly slower to windward. Much steadier, even finger light downwind.
 
To add another very good boat that has similar characteristics to the Co32, then look at the Westerly Fulmar. I am biased as I own one and can say they are a delight to sail singlehanded and have slightly more accomodation than the Co32 or Sadler 32, but in he same length.

This is my nearly fully renovated example, which is not for sale as I am planning to keep her for at least another 10 years.
IMAG1030.jpg Click on the image to enlarge.

IMAG1031.jpg

This is how she looked 3 years ago. The hull was cream and dull, and generally looking in need of a lot of TLC.

PC030969.jpg

PC030973.jpg
The red transom was 6 different colours of red paint that was sanded off, the gel coat was then compounded and polished.

More photos of how she used to look before I started and her progress can be found here.
http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/ConcertoFulmar32/library/?sort=3&page=6
Full information on the renovations can be found here.
https://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/woaforum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2748

As one of the Westerly Owners Association Boatline members for the Fulmar, I have a fairly detailed knowledge of this design. So if you want even more info then PM me.

I know of an excellent bilge keel version that is for sale, if you are interested, within your budget.
 
Last edited:
Kenneth McGrew said:
in all honesty I am willing to spend £30k on a 32ft boat, or a portion of it on a cheaper boat with a view to repair, I could stretch higher to £40k but id rather not - we all want something cheaper right :) and that money is always contingency then, so if you think of something I haven't considered I am all ears!
Click to expand...

Seems odd spending that money on an old boat. For that money you could buy a very nice looking boat in the 31 ft range 15 years old years old with considerably better accommodation, better performance & go sailing. You could still get classic lines from what people regard as AWB's. People often remark on how my own boat ( Hanse 312) has a classic look to it & it is 14 years old. ( No I am not flogging it)
It certainly has better accommodation than a Contessa & sails better for what the average sailor needs.
Some are advertised for £30-40K but one has to haggle.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

I
Sadler 32
3 4 5
Replies
93
Views
3K
Mark-1
Mark-1
C
Being offered a free Mystere 26
Replies
17
Views
717
Concerto
Concerto
Irish Rover
Compact Binoculars 8 x 32
Replies
13
Views
561
Egret
E
Frogmogman
My next boat.
2 3
Replies
40
Views
1K
fredrussell
F
M
Genoa size?
2 3
Replies
43
Views
1K
Refueler
Refueler

Share this page

Top