Help? Contessa 32, Sadler, centurion??

[Rafiki]

The problem with 'more accommodation' is that it is usually at the expense of somewhere to put all your clobber, both personal stuff for anything longer than a week-end and boat stuff ( tools, ropes, fenders, spare fuel, buckets etce etc).
I know Westerly Fulmars have been mentioned, I would agree - excellent boats and many have been completely re-furbished and are more than a match for the 15 year old bavaria's which haven't had everything changed. The next model up, the Westerly Storm ( about a foot longer) and a more modern layout is well within your price range.

 

[Tranona]

have I completely lost the plot ? or has my brain and common sense finally kicked in? is there something I am missing from these boats as on paper and looking round them last weekend I could see myself happily sailing either of them with preference towards Jeanneau - so much so I nearly jumping in with an offer, but thought nono, lets think about this a bit more...

No. You have just followed the market. newer boats reflect peoples' expectations better which is why the old style boats died out. They were products of their times, and of course there are still many people who prefer that style, although the decline in condition as they get older and the fall in the price of AWBs opens up choices.

You find this choice dilemma at different price levels as is often discussed here. If you have 3 times your budget do you buy a 30 year old "quality" boat or a nearly new AWB? There is not a simple answer so keep an open mind and look at lots of different boats in your budget range that fulfil your basic needs.

 

[awol]

have I completely lost the plot ? or has my brain and common sense finally kicked in? is there something I am missing from these boats as on paper and looking round them last weekend I could see myself happily sailing either of them with preference towards Jeanneau - so much so I nearly jumping in with an offer, but thought nono, lets think about this a bit more...

Only you know what you want from a boat and I sympathise. I made my choice and may regret some aspects but sailing on other boats reinforces my preferences but doesn't hide the fact that I have a 35 year old boat that needs constant attention to keep it going. I reckon no boat is perfect - well, within my price range, anyway - and there has to be compromise. Unfortunately, you may not recognise the compromises until you have taken ownership - you can learn to avoid head banging (I'm 6'1"), but a boat that slams in a sea and rounds up in gusts won't change.
I recommend getting out on as many other people's boats as possible in as many different weather conditions as you can and prioritise your likes (and dislikes).

 

[Cactus Sailing]

"have I completely lost the plot ?"

If your ideas are evolving around the idea of more accommodation, I would look closely at these:

Relatively easy to buy and sell, lots available around your budget and good value. No raceboat but there we are.

I am moving more towards this way, I am going to view another one tomorrow, for me its all about the sailing, but there is the other half and the kids to think about, more accommodation and a pleasant trip on board would secure more sailing trips. i.e a clean boat and spacious accommodation = happy crew, Happy crew = more sailing!

Only you know what you want from a boat and I sympathise. I made my choice and may regret some aspects but sailing on other boats reinforces my preferences but doesn't hide the fact that I have a 35 year old boat that needs constant attention to keep it going. I reckon no boat is perfect - well, within my price range, anyway - and there has to be compromise. Unfortunately, you may not recognise the compromises until you have taken ownership - you can learn to avoid head banging (I'm 6'1"), but a boat that slams in a sea and rounds up in gusts won't change.
I recommend getting out on as many other people's boats as possible in as many different weather conditions as you can and prioritise your likes (and dislikes).

i think every boat is a compromise unless money is no object, my time on chartered boats ( of the popular brands found in the med & Solent) one of them never stood out for their ability to sail, or any bad trait for that matter, except in mast furling main sail was a PITA in light winds to get any shape to it and close to the wind was a pain too - but i only had that on one boat a Bavaria 39

 

[derekgillard]

+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.

I agree I had a Sadler for 14 years and it was a solid sea going boat, also much more room below compared to the Contessa.

 

[Hydrozoan]

I agree I had a Sadler for 14 years and it was a solid sea going boat, also much more room below compared to the Contessa.

Yes, we looked at both and, lovely though the Contessa is, the greater roominess of the Sadler did it for us.

 

[englishrobs]

I'll admit to being biased as I have a Contessa, my first boat, bought just over a year ago, and also therefore not experienced in the relative merits of other craft as others here are. I did consider Sadlers at the time and other boats of that period but I became fairly focussed on Contessas. Took me about a year of looking (six months seriously), in that period I saw three really good ones and a good number more that required work. Good ones tend to go fast, and having let two slip through my fingers I moved quickly on the one I eventually purchased. This had a complete interior rebuild in 2003/4 at Rogers but I suspect these are relatively rare, the price tag for that work that the previous owner shared with me was eye watering. This does mean she benefits from a slightly dropped floor which increases headroom around the saloon table but if you're over six foot it's still a problem (I'm not).

I tend to sail with four max and that's pretty much the maximum I would want below decks, so far we've all remained friends. Can't fault the sailing I sail two up mostly and that's very comfortable from a handling perspective. Mine came in just under your price bracket. PM me if you want to come out, boat is near Ipswich.

 

[Ruffles]

+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.

I sailed a Centurian across Biscay to Spain. Though I'd jump at the chance to do it again I would definitely pack a snorkel. A Contessa is wetter!?

Anyway a Centurian has a cast in sheer stripe with a Roman sword. Very cool.

 

[bedouin]

I sailed a Centurian across Biscay to Spain. Though I'd jump at the chance to do it again I would definitely pack a snorkel. A Contessa is wetter!?

It's a close run thing but yes - I believe the Contessa is even wetter than the Centurion. The first sail-powered submarine

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

my time on chartered boats ( of the popular brands found in the med & Solent) one of them never stood out for their ability to sail

Me too - but the sails are always worn out standard cheap ones. You'd transform the boat with a good suit.

 

[Andy61]

Kenneth, I'm going to recommend the Sadler 34. A great sailing boat. Good accommodation and well constructed. I bought mine for the sailing abilities but an undoubted bonus not mentioned here is the foam insulation. It eliminates noise and condensation and is the driest boat I have come across - mind you, you do have to hoover the dust out of the bilges! One participant here, Vyv Cox, has one and he is a wealth of knowledge and advice about them as is the Owners Association (now a facebook group). Andy

 

[caerolusmagnus]

I sailed a Contessa 32 for some ten years. Back into sailing, I narrowed my choice to eliminate bolted on keels and foam core hulls. I prefer the solid GRP for it is stronger and the ballast is encapsulated. I went out looking for another Contessa 32 for they are superb seaboats and look so sleek.

I found recently 2015, that CO 32 usually carries a premium of an extra £10,000 regardless of the condition of engine. I found a Rival 32 with an almost new Yanmar 20hp. The boat was sound while having DIY wiring.The price was right and the survey was acceptable.

I find the Rival 32 to be a dry boat, more room inside in the below berth lockers, more headroom and I was pleasantly surprised at how light the tiller loads were even in F5/6. Upwind was quite acceptable. This was a good choice. Now happily renovating...

 

[Malish]

And if you are considering a Rival then look at the 34 as well as the 32, those that say the 34 'just' have a bigger cockpit have not sailed both (I had a 32 for many years and now have a 34...), the 34 is the better boat in many ways - they sail better, the fit out was better (to differentiate from the 32s) and the owners have, with a big generalization, taken more care of the 34s. They have however suffered the AWB fall in price too and I suspect you could pick up one with recent sails and engine for around £20k. They are however of the 'old' style and don't have the internal space of the 1990's and younger AWBs.

 

[Justin Wood]

Absolutely right Yellow Ballad. I have a 1973 Centurion and a) the lines are perfect to my eyes (why are all these AWBs built with a hideous vertical bow and fat stern? ...just to minimise marina charges!) b) the Centurion like virtually all IOR era designs sails beautifully to windward and will cope comfortably with typical Channel conditions. For me, I'd rather eat worms than change my boat for one with hideous lines and a keel that could snap off at any moment!

 

[Tranona]

Absolutely right Yellow Ballad. I have a 1973 Centurion and a) the lines are perfect to my eyes (why are all these AWBs built with a hideous vertical bow and fat stern? ...just to minimise marina charges!) b) the Centurion like virtually all IOR era designs sails beautifully to windward and will cope comfortably with typical Channel conditions. For me, I'd rather eat worms than change my boat for one with hideous lines and a keel that could snap off at any moment!

With respect, what a load of rubbish. I just wonder how how those thousands of people with modern boats cope with sailin back and forth across the channel, or round the world (as many do) if they are so awful and keels drop off.

Nothing wrong in liking you own boat - most of us do, but also recognise you are in a tiny minority that prefers boats like yours - and there is no need to disparage the choice of others, particularly using untruths on the way!

 

[Justin Wood]

With respect, what a load of rubbish. I just wonder how how those thousands of people with modern boats cope with sailin back and forth across the channel, or round the world (as many do) if they are so awful and keels drop off.

Nothing wrong in liking you own boat - most of us do, but also recognise you are in a tiny minority that prefers boats like yours - and there is no need to disparage the choice of others, particularly using untruths on the way!

Sorry for any unintended offence to those who own or admire modern GRP yachts. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

 

[Iain C]

Absolutely right Yellow Ballad. I have a 1973 Centurion and a) the lines are perfect to my eyes (why are all these AWBs built with a hideous vertical bow and fat stern? ...just to minimise marina charges!) b) the Centurion like virtually all IOR era designs sails beautifully to windward and will cope comfortably with typical Channel conditions. For me, I'd rather eat worms than change my boat for one with hideous lines and a keel that could snap off at any moment!

Simples...volume. The Contessa and Centurion are both lovely looking boats, but last time I sailed a Co32 I seem to remember the heads was in the focsle behind a zip up curtain. Sorry, guests... Compare that to the space on a modern AWB where the heads is huge with a shower and there's your answer. Of course I'd rather be caught out in a proper snotter in one of those older classes (if properly maintained), but realistically for the kind of sailing I do I'll take vastly more room, comfort and amenities any day.

I don't see how a vertical bow minimises marina charges, what a daft statement...although your whole post is a bit ridiculous and narrow minded to be honest.

 

[doug748]

Welcome Justin.

The forum bobbies are after you though

 

[Poey50]

...I'd rather eat worms than change my boat for one with hideous lines and a keel that could snap off at any moment!

Sorry for any unintended offence to those who own or admire modern GRP yachts.

Looking forward to when you actually intend offence!

 

[Justin Wood]

Welcome Justin.

The forum bobbies are after you though

Yes
Narrow minded! OK, your opinion. There is no question that a modern boat provides (length for length) way more volume, creature comforts, etc, etc. My point is mostly to do with aesthetics and, you might say, safety margin when it comes to things like keel attachment. Hey, no hard feelings guys...I probably couldn't afford a newer boat in any case!