Project boat.

[capnsensible]

Bargain

 

[Bodach na mara]

View attachment 168035
Bargain

What? Where? How much? I love it already!

(What am I looking at? Nothing my dear.)

 

[steveeasy]

But there really is not a big difference between a new £300.000 Contessa and a fifty year old one. So if you wanted a new one but for half the price I recon £100,000 which would cover new sails mast deck gear. Electronics internal fit out and a profession paint job would just about cover it. Perhaps not!!

Be interesting to know how much the refit cost of the one the Solent Butler is doing.. can’t be that far off.

Me I’m just working thru making 14 new cushions. This sewing thing is great. Give it six months and everything will have a new cover.

Steveeasy

 

[Lightwave395]

I've just taken on a 'project' at the other end of the scale... they don't come cheaper - it cost nothing, just take it away. at least there's no plumbing or electrics to worry about, It's only a slightly scruffy but well equipped Lark sailing dinghy, needs some gel coat work and a bloody good clean but otherwise looks like something to keep me amused during the winter.
I refurbed a GP14 back during Covid but found it a bit of a barge to sail, this should be more sprightly and I'll be disappointed if the complete refurb costs more than double figures. Back in my 505 days I crewed for a couple of years for a guy who'd previously been the Lark National Champion for a few years, he always reckoned they were fun to sail.

 

[Poignard]

I don't think Twisters are a great match they are c3ft shorter and the full keel sets them apart. I would put forward the Rival 32/34 as being better and, of course, the Wauquiez Centurion 32. Contessa do have a huge spread of asking prices because of the number that have had expensive restoration plus you can see 5 or 50 year old examples.

Speaking of what a grand deal the 9k Contessa was, here is a Rival 32 asking 7.5K:

Rival 32 for sale UK, Rival boats for sale, Rival used boat sales, Rival Sailing Yachts For Sale 1972 Rival 32 - Apollo Duck

That really is a boat you would not want to touch with the proverbial barge pole.


.

You're right, the Twister and the Contessa 32 are not a match, being very different in their hull shapes.

I don't know why people so often lump them together as if they both represent a similar type.

Apart from them being designed at roughly the same period, and having the same rig, I don't see much in common.

 

[doug748]

Indeed, and those plans nicely illustrate another old chestnut: Masthead rig = huge genoas and small mains.

I think the Nic 32 is another with very long boom and modestly sized headsails.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I’m always underwhelmed by the performance of the C32. Very seaworthy, sure. But it’s a pretty slow race boat. As a one design, obviously that doesn’t matter. But we regularly overtake them in a theoretically even slower race boat, XOD, admittedly in tidal conditions that favour us, having a shallower draft. But it’s quite convincing.

 

[Poignard]

Indeed, and those plans nicely illustrate another old chestnut: Masthead rig = huge genoas and small mains.

I think the Nic 32 is another with very long boom and modestly sized headsails.

 

[steveeasy]

You're right, the Twister and the Contessa 32 are not a match, being very different in their hull shapes.

I don't know why people so often lump them together as if they both represent a similar type.

Apart from them being designed at roughly the same period, and having the same rig, I don't see much in common.

View attachment 168058View attachment 168059

Well my initial thinking was along the lines of classic design that appealed to a similar market. Additionally both boats are pleasant on the eye.
Now having been able to compare both, one of which was niche in that it had the 3/4 rig I could not really choose one over the other. I can sail the Contessa harder and she feels better balanced. My Twister though was so comfortable inside. Truly I could not fault the Twister build quality, the Contessa I’ll reserve judgement. All in all both great boats with pedigree. So I’d say they are similar for that very reason.

Steveeasy

 

[SaltyC]

All were desired in their day by most, the Twister more traditional lines but a good turn of speed and could bring home the silverware. The Contessa a more modern design, modern layout below yet classic lines and one design racing. The Nic 32 the cruisers one to have.
All had the Row Away Factor, first 2 particularly IMHO and are still pretty boats admiring glances as people walk past.
In the late 60's early 70's the family's dream was to own a 30 footer, most families had 22 to 24 footers!
If you looked around Moody's at Swanwick 30 foot was upper quartile, there were some Halbadiers, Cavaliers and Carabineers but few and far between, they were the superyachts of their day, now 36 foot plus is a starter boat!

 

[prestomg27]

A topic that often generates a lot of heat on these pages. However here is a boat that will appeal to some, and is a good example of a project that has every sign of being a good buy. The Solent Boat Butler:

.

I've bought it so it appealed to at least 1.

 

[steveeasy]

I've bought it so it appealed to at least 1.

Cool and a very nice boat too. Hope you have fun.

Steveeasy

 

[V1701]

The video was good advice for anybody looking at any boat...