Shopping for a Contessa 26, or similar.

Contessa 26 on the west coast

We sailed our Contessa 26 on the west coast from Rhu and from Loch Creran for many years, and always felt safe, although often wet and certainly cramped. During about 15 years with a Nic 32, which seems fine, I've sometimes fancied going back to a smaller boat with easier handling and less winter work.
 
I bought my Contessa 26 about two years ago. I owned an Etap 21i before that. Very different boats of course! I sail mostly single handed and first sailed her from the East coast to Poole, to France and the Channel Islands this year and hopefully many more to come. You know you won't have the space you had in your Bav 30, but you will have enough for two when needed. Be prepared to spend a lot updating your purchase. Its better to pay more for one already done. Yes they are a bit wet, but you will find admirers in every port you land in and you will know that, come the inevitable storm, you can trust it to ride it out while you whimper down below. There are plenty of worthy alternatives of course.

My mantra has alway been to own small and charter big when going off to sunny climbs with friends or family. It seems to work for me.

As with all boats, there are some basket cases out there. See if you can find a really good example and have a look at the owners association web site - http://www.contessa26.net
 
Just to get you in the mood, you should try downloading the film Between Home about an Australian sailor who bought a Co26 and sailed it from the UK to Australia. Leaves you in no doubt about the capabilities of the boat. A real classic yacht that could literally take you anywhere for (relatively) not a lot of money. The film is very good and can be downloaded from the website http://www.betweenhome.com/ . You can also watch the trailer there to get an idea. :D
 
>+1 for the Ecume De Mer - I race against one of these and a CO26 - there is no real comparison performance wise. The Ecume De Mer is unbeatable when the wind is up.

Out of interest which boat would win in lighter winds.
 
Sharkx said:
I was an owner of a Bav30 until two years ago. I sold it because it was just too expensive to keep. (It was £45k)
I want to get on the water again, as I am in a much better financial position and I learned the hard way how expensive boating is.

I was looking at the contessa 26, as it is in my price range £10k -£15k.

I like the character and seaworthiness of her. What are the forums thoughts?

I shall be keeping her on the west of Scotland.
Click to expand...

One for sale on Ebay for £7K, looks well looked after
 
There you go sharkx, the very boat mentioned. Its an early one so no self draining cockpit, but worth a look despite being the wrong end of the country for you. New standing / running rigging if older than 10-15 years plus whatever you need or feel like spending will still keep it well below your max budget.
 
zikzik said:
There you go sharkx, the very boat mentioned. Its an early one so no self draining cockpit, but worth a look despite being the wrong end of the country for you. New standing / running rigging if older than 10-15 years plus whatever you need or feel like spending will still keep it well below your max budget.
Click to expand...
do a deal here & the vendor will save £s too
 
Another vote for the Cutlass! The OP would get a really nice one for his budget! We looked at a C26, but the Cutlass had more space below, better headroom and (IMHO!) is a better looking boat.
 
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