It's going to be a long winter

[oldfatgit]

For that price she is well worth a look. 18 months ago I would have got there before you. If she is all that she appears then she is a steal. Just remember, if she looks to good to be true, then she propably is.

What is her flag? What is her tax status? Has she suffered any damage not apparent in the photos? Why is she being sold?

But what a lovely boat!

Good luck.

 

[KREW2]

I have just spoken to the owner, the boat is coming out of the water on the 7th of November. I'm away tomorrow for a few days, so the only day for a sea trial is the 6th. Quite frankly I'm not bothered to much about taking her out for a sail, I'm more concerned about the condition, and has been mentioned, the tax status, not too sure what is meant buy the flag, do you mean she is registered in another country?
Anyway with all this help I should not be able to go too far wrong.

 

[MoodySabre]

I know of a Contessa 32 needing TLC but functioning well that will for sale soon for "to sell" money. South Wales

 

[doug748]

PM Snooks, I think he is having second thoughts about his boat.)

 

[KREW2]

I know of a Contessa 32 needing TLC but functioning well that will for sale soon for "to sell" money. South Wales

I think Snooks comment was right, lovelly to look at and a good sailing pedigree, but a bit lacking down below. Having just viewed one I have decided they are probably best suited to the purist. Then I see an ad like this http://www.co32.org/SECTION_Market/BOATS/FLUSH/straitflush.pdf
and it goes back on the list.

 

[doug748]

I think Snooks comment was right, lovelly to look at and a good sailing pedigree, but a bit lacking down below.....
and it goes back on the list.

A dark blue hull looks grand but I would never have one - and I do have one. If you see what I mean. Good to see it has it's original gel coat though.
The Contessa is a fine cruising boat for two, and ok with a small, younger family. If you are over 5ft 10" tall, buy a Sadler or some such, but don't expect any more living room in that particular boat as the extra space is mostly just above your head. The Contessa chart table is outstanding and the saloon is bigger than many new boats which push this feature forward in order to accommodate stern cabins. All the Contessa berths are limited in length, with the exception of the quarter berth which has its own problems.
In your place I would certainly look at the Cal, but carefully as has already been said. It looks very attractive apart from the wheel and the soddin Air X wind gen which I would saw off and throw in the oggin. Good Luck.

PS.
My colleague has kindly posted photos which nicely illustrate my point about living accommodation in the Contessa. See below and make a judgement about who might have stars in their eyes.
PPS.
Also shows what an attractive boat the Contessa can be if you can find a good un at the right price.

 

[MoodySabre]

I think Snooks comment was right, lovelly to look at and a good sailing pedigree, but a bit lacking down below. Having just viewed one I have decided they are probably best suited to the purist. Then I see an ad like this http://www.co32.org/SECTION_Market/BOATS/FLUSH/straitflush.pdf
and it goes back on the list.

This one has a dark blue hull - resprayed only three years ago. On the sailing and seagoing level they are great but as a family comfortable cruiser they are a bit cramped. Could be less than £20k.......

 

[KREW2]

I have just been sent 34 more pictures of the Cal 35.
My sons first comment, "We can get rid of all that shi*e"

 

[snooks]

If you are over 5ft 10" tall, buy a Sadler or some such, but don't expect any more living room in that particular boat as the extra space is mostly just above your head.

I'm sorry to go OT, but I couldn't let that one go...That's just wrong...Although I am 5'10

Have you been on a Sadler 32 and compared it to your Contessa? There's much more difference than "mostly just above your head"

Seriously, the saloon alone has more width (and stowage). The 1ft of extra beam on the Sadler makes a lot of difference...and saloon sole is level

In every area the Sadler has more room, and it's not just vertically...Don't get me wrong the Contessa is a great boat, but I'd take the accommodation and extra internal volume of the Sadler over the Contessa, and did in the end

Contessa 32

Sadler 32

Look no mast

Or

Contessa

Where's the sink?

Sadler

Ah! A heads and forecabin that I can stand up in without having to open the forehatch

I won't go on, although I could

 

[matt1]

Those look like very well cared for Contessa and Sadler pics snooks. Are they new9ish) boats per chance?

 

[snooks]

Those look like very well cared for Contessa and Sadler pics snooks. Are they new9ish) boats per chance?

The Contessa is Gigi owned which was owned by Jeremy Rogers, she'd undergone an internal refit at Jeremy Rogers Yachts

The Sadler was built in 1983, and looked after by a previous owner who brought her up to the state she was in when we bought her

 

[Twister_Ken]

Gigi was rebuilt by Jeremy Rogers for his own use. Pretty much no-expense spared, and oodles of expertise on tap.

 

[JimC]

Thread hijacked

Original poster wanted an opinion on American boats, in particular the Cal 35 he had seen advertised.

 

[KREW2]

Original poster wanted an opinion on American boats, in particular the Cal 35 he had seen advertised.

My options are open, my OP did include the contessa 32, and the sadler 32/34. I am also considering Moody, but I do like the idea of an encapsulated keel, the Cal 35 not only meets this requirement, it also looks like a lot of boat. As someone said, if it looks to good to be true maybe it is, so if anyone does have first hand knowledge of a Cal 35 I would very much like to hear from them. Hopefully I will be going down to view it next week.
Snooks thanks for those piccies, I wish the Contessas I have seen looked like that inside, hiowever it does not change the layout, so the Sadler 32 is going higher on my want list.