Is a Contessa 32 basically a man cave for Boomers longing for the halcyon days of the 70s?

[lustyd]

They then start suggesting you are: "..... trying to prove an outdated design 32 footer will beat any and all modern designs of any size "

I was quoting, actually, not suggesting.

As for slowness they tend to beat most modern cruising boats of any size

 

[Chiara’s slave]

The 32s at our club trail home just before the rotting wooden things. They tend to be beaten by all the AWBs.

 

[Mark-1]

.... I'd heard you can order an optional periscope on the new Contessas for exactly this reason.

That is certainly true, however I was on a massive wide arsed AWB with infinate freeboard and I got soaked to the skin, so I'd say in Solent chop on a day like that it really was a draw in terms of soakingness.

 

[doug748]

I was quoting, actually, not suggesting.

Actually you were misquoting

 

[lustyd]

Actually you were misquoting

That's why I included the quote in the last post, they weren't my words and I don't have skin in the game. I was simply pointing out that a 24' LWL is slower than a 32' LWL unless you can plane, and the CO32 cannot plane even downwind.

 

[awol]

After 225 posts I realise the error of my ways. Can anyone suggest a replacement for a CO32 that matches my needs

• easy to sail single-handed with jib, main sheet and tiller all in close proximity in a proper cockpit not perched over a stern cabin
• small enough to manhandle on a pontoon if required
• mainsail requiring winch only to tension luff when hoisted
• sea kindly, never slams, allows the helm to be left without screwing up
• enough room below for a couple with a full sized double bed
• Blakes' seacocks not DZR
• Only broaches if the skipper is incredibly stupid under spinnaker - or pole downhaul lets go
• Low freeboard for easy boarding from dinghy or pontoon
• Acceptable ROW, not a wide-arsed soapdish
• Non-plumb bow to allow anchor use without gelcoat damage
• Bow roller and cleat/samson post for a swinging mooring
• Is small enough or laid out so that an octagenarian skipper can sail onto a mooring and reach the bow for the pick-up
• and finally, is great fun to simply sail for the pleasure of sailing.

 

[Mark-1]

After 225 posts I realise the error of my ways. Can anyone suggest a replacement for a CO32 that matches my needs

• easy to sail single-handed with jib, main sheet and tiller all in close proximity in a proper cockpit not perched over a stern cabin
• small enough to manhandle on a pontoon if required
• mainsail requiring winch only to tension luff when hoisted
• sea kindly, never slams, allows the helm to be left without screwing up
• enough room below for a couple with a full sized double bed
• Blakes' seacocks not DZR
• Only broaches if the skipper is incredibly stupid under spinnaker - or pole downhaul lets go
• Low freeboard for easy boarding from dinghy or pontoon
• Acceptable ROW, not a wide-arsed soapdish
• Non-plumb bow to allow anchor use without gelcoat damage
• Bow roller and cleat/samson post for a swinging mooring
• Is small enough or laid out so that an octagenarian skipper can sail onto a mooring and reach the bow for the pick-up
• and finally, is great fun to simply sail for the pleasure of sailing.

It doesn't quite meet all of your requirements but a wingfoiler would be superb fun and relatively cheap.

 

[awol]

It doesn't quite meet all of your requirements but a wingfoiler would be superb fun and relatively cheap.

I was looking at a Waszp the other day!

 

[Mark-1]

I was looking at a Waszp the other day!

YKIMS.

 

[doug748]

That's why I included the quote in the last post, they weren't my words and I don't have skin in the game. I was simply pointing out that a 24' LWL is slower than a 32' LWL unless you can plane, and the CO32 cannot plane even downwind.

My words:

"As for slowness they tend to beat most modern cruising boats of any size, round an inshore course."

Which you rendered as:

"..... trying to prove an outdated design 32 footer will beat any and all modern designs of any size "



Others may like to judge the two statements.

.

 

[lustyd]

full sized double bed

Does the CO32 even meet that criteria? Can’t see a double bed on any layout diagrams.

 

[awol]

Does the CO32 even meet that criteria? Can’t see a double bed on any layout diagrams.

Mine does!

 

[lustyd]

Mine does!

I’d be interested to see where they put it, although I suspect we’re defining full size double in different ways

 

[awol]

At least 6'6" x 4'6" - will that do?

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Does the CO32 even meet that criteria? Can’t see a double bed on any layout diagrams.

A Contessa does have a double bed, well actually its better described as a viewing platform to watch your shipmates using the heads

 

[lustyd]

At least 6'6" x 4'6" - will that do?

Does the table drop in the saloon? Can’t picture where that fits in?

 

[johnalison]

After 225 posts I realise the error of my ways. Can anyone suggest a replacement for a CO32 that matches my needs

• easy to sail single-handed with jib, main sheet and tiller all in close proximity in a proper cockpit not perched over a stern cabin
• small enough to manhandle on a pontoon if required
• mainsail requiring winch only to tension luff when hoisted
• sea kindly, never slams, allows the helm to be left without screwing up
• enough room below for a couple with a full sized double bed
• Blakes' seacocks not DZR
• Only broaches if the skipper is incredibly stupid under spinnaker - or pole downhaul lets go
• Low freeboard for easy boarding from dinghy or pontoon
• Acceptable ROW, not a wide-arsed soapdish
• Non-plumb bow to allow anchor use without gelcoat damage
• Bow roller and cleat/samson post for a swinging mooring
• Is small enough or laid out so that an octagenarian skipper can sail onto a mooring and reach the bow for the pick-up
• and finally, is great fun to simply sail for the pleasure of sailing.

My HR 34 is perhaps a bit too large but the HR31 would do most of that in a more modern mode.

 

[potentillaCO32]

After 225 posts I realise the error of my ways. Can anyone suggest a replacement for a CO32 that matches my needs

• easy to sail single-handed with jib, main sheet and tiller all in close proximity in a proper cockpit not perched over a stern cabin
• small enough to manhandle on a pontoon if required
• mainsail requiring winch only to tension luff when hoisted
• sea kindly, never slams, allows the helm to be left without screwing up
• enough room below for a couple with a full sized double bed
• Blakes' seacocks not DZR
• Only broaches if the skipper is incredibly stupid under spinnaker - or pole downhaul lets go
• Low freeboard for easy boarding from dinghy or pontoon
• Acceptable ROW, not a wide-arsed soapdish
• Non-plumb bow to allow anchor use without gelcoat damage
• Bow roller and cleat/samson post for a swinging mooring
• Is small enough or laid out so that an octagenarian skipper can sail onto a mooring and reach the bow for the pick-up
• and finally, is great fun to simply sail for the pleasure of sailing.

Trade down to a rival 32? Then trade back up a year later?

Or one ofthese ugly triple hulled thingies that chiara likes. (Having joshed about that there is a test of a tricat 8.5 in this months voile magazine)

 

[awol]

My HR 34 is perhaps a bit too large but the HR31 would do most of that in a more modern mode.

I forgot "for the same money as I would get for my CO32"

 

[Concerto]

After 225 posts I realise the error of my ways. Can anyone suggest a replacement for a CO32 that matches my needs

• easy to sail single-handed with jib, main sheet and tiller all in close proximity in a proper cockpit not perched over a stern cabin
• small enough to manhandle on a pontoon if required
• mainsail requiring winch only to tension luff when hoisted
• sea kindly, never slams, allows the helm to be left without screwing up
• enough room below for a couple with a full sized double bed
• Blakes' seacocks not DZR
• Only broaches if the skipper is incredibly stupid under spinnaker - or pole downhaul lets go
• Low freeboard for easy boarding from dinghy or pontoon
• Acceptable ROW, not a wide-arsed soapdish
• Non-plumb bow to allow anchor use without gelcoat damage
• Bow roller and cleat/samson post for a swinging mooring
• Is small enough or laid out so that an octagenarian skipper can sail onto a mooring and reach the bow for the pick-up
• and finally, is great fun to simply sail for the pleasure of sailing.

Simple choice. Westerly Fulmar. The only one condition that would not be quite as good is leaving the helm alone, she will sail for upto a minute, not longer as it has a balanced rudder. There is double in the fore cabin and a queen size double in the main cabin. All the berths are long, a 6ft 7" man tried the berths on Concerto and he could lie flat on his back - something he can do on very few boats he had tried. If you want to see my boat then click on my signature and look at the video of "Concerto at the Southampton Boat Show".