is the 32 a Rival to the Contessa?

I BEG your pardon Rob, I agreed with you, and said Rivals are much prettier, and I don,t care about yardsticks, i,ve beaten two Contessa,s, though, there is no argument they should be quicker, as i,ve said, as a cruising boat, and in heavy weather , no contest, THE RIVAL HAS THE LOT.
 
I think a lot of the speed issue will depend on so much more than just the hull shape.
Someone who knows what they are doing on a rival will probably beat an avarage sailor on a contessa.
Quality of sails how well they are trimed how the boat is loaded and so on will all make a big difference on which boat is faster in the real world

But mine is still better /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Rob
 
We're three of a kind! All of Peter Brett's designs just take my breath away with their powerful beauty and internal quality. I'll trade 5% on speed any day for the seakeeping, toughness and security of a Rival. And that's not to say that the Contessa and Rustler 31 are not damn fine boats!
 
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But mine is still better /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Rob

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Weellll, hum! ok it is a nice boat Rob!
 
[ QUOTE ]
i,ve beaten two Contessa,s, though

[/ QUOTE ]
Hey, the anchored ones don't count! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: I think he refers to the Centurion 32...

And here is a photo of a very fine Centurion 'Vadis', with Jon, Genevieve and their wee baby Skye on board, anchored off Port St Charles, Barbados last January after a routine passage from the Cabo Verdes.
Last I heard they were in the middle of the Pacific, sailing home to New Zealand....

VadisanchoredoffPSC2Small.jpg
 
Having sailed many many miles in a Contessa 32, and having owned a Rival 32 for 13 years and nearly 40K miles, I feel qualified to add my tuppence worth ...

The Contessa is undoubtedly a little faster and slightly closer winded but it is a much wetter ride to windward. The C32 is also smaller down below especially forward. All R32 hulls moulded by Marcon (Marine Constrruction) and are immensly strong. Some R32 are home finished, some are factory. The Contessa is approximately one ton lighter and (I believe) built DOWN to the class weight.

Both are excellent sea boats, and easy on the eye. I lusted after a C32 for years, until I experienced heavy weather in one - and watched the side decks flexing under the load of the headsail sheets. When a R32 came up within my budget I bought her, and have no regrets.

you pays your money and makes your choice .....
 
Re: I think he refers to the Centurion 32...

Sorry Fergus, IMHO the SHE 32 is the only fugly design that Olin Stevens ever did.
 
Re: I think he refers to the Centurion 32...

Have you considered a Westerly Fulmar?It's probably faster than most of the boats mentioned before,it's very dry,points very well and it's great in a blow.And on top it is very comfortable down below.Biased opinion of course.
 
Re: I think he refers to the Centurion 32...

[ QUOTE ]
Have you considered a Westerly Fulmar?It's probably faster than most of the boats mentioned before,it's very dry,points very well and it's great in a blow.And on top it is very comfortable down below.Biased opinion of course.

[/ QUOTE ]
But not a joy to behold! Typical, very practical Westerly.

FASTER? umm? Points? umm? Even if i,m wrong on those,
Price??? You offering yours, I can buy a good Rival32 or Contessa32 for I would think, £25K ish., unless I sold my last one far to cheap.
 
Re: I think he refers to the Centurion 32...

These things are rather subjective but I tend to agree. I used to crew on one in the 70s and she was a bit of a slouch to windward but the owner used to sheet his sails in hard and they were very flat cut, so he probably lost some drive as a result.

Odd combination of design features - short waterline length with long overhang at the stern, reverse sheer and a clipper bow - I suppose it was a way round some rule.
 
Re: I think he refers to the Centurion 32...

I can only speak from my own experience.My Fulmar came with a racing mast and I got a great set of Kemp sails to go with it.I have a powerfull backstay adjuster (bendy rig)and on a clean bottom I've shamed many newer fast boats in windy conditions.I regularly take her offshore in long cruises and am always amazed at the averages I get.She handles the rough beautifully and never was a source of concern.I have a Monitor windvane that makes things really easy for days on end.
Admitedly she's ugly as hell but hey, I'd rather have a safe fast boat that's not pretty than a wet, slow charmer.When I'm at sea I'm not concerned with looks although when in port I can't stop thinking that Westerly could have at least made an aestetical effort..
 
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