Shopping for a Contessa 26, or similar.

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)
and I learned the hard way how expensive boating is.

Sharkx - Sorry, dont meant to be hi-jacking your thread...... but - you had a 30 footer, what was the 'hard way' in the learning process? Was it unexpected costs? mooring fees? , engine costs?
thing is - i sold my Jaguar 21 and am looking to get probably a 1980's awb type 30 foot or so, has to be for swmbo to get out sailing with me. We looked at Contessa type boats but she wants a more modern open-plan sort of thing. Personally, I dont mind, as long as it sails.
While I owned the Jaguar, i was maybe lucky, but never had a really unexpected bill to cough up - ok, it had a seagull on the back that went forever, but even with a long shaft was sometimes clear of the water.
I dont want to get an old Beneteau, or Jeanneau and find it needs a bucket of money thrown at it in the first year. - my budget is 15K, with a 2 or 3 to spare
Again, this isnt meant to be changing the subject but would like to know what i am maybe getting into - I am allowing for higher mooring fees, even though it will be on a swinging mooring.
I am probably in a similar area of coastline to yourself - N Ireland, north coast that gets the Atlantic swells at times, thats why the Jag was just too small and was more like a big dinghy.
If you want, just pm me and best of luck with your search....... come to think of it - I should have sent this as a pm anyway:ambivalence:
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Lazy Kipper said:
She looks in fine condition with a modern engine and electrics. If you're after a Contessa 26 then that looks like a really good package.
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Is it located in Tring, or on the water somewhere?

"Buy it now" price, seems quite low, compared to those for sale on C26 Owners Site.
 
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I've sailed a Contessa 26 and it was good. I've owned a Cutlass 27 which I preferred with the bit of extra space and no loss of performance. They sail beautifully. I now own a Sabre 27 (trying to sell it) and with a bit less outright performance but masses more room inside, and feeling bullet-proof in a blow, I'd settle for the Sabre every time. For a long term cruise (we did 3 months in her in 2012) or a weekend away, there was no contest. And they're not pricey - ours is very fully kitted and only £10k
 
I'm now reluctantly putting my Nicholson 26 up for sale. Its very similar to the Contessa in many respects.

I also need advice on the best/most cost effective method of selling? My boat is also located on the WEst coast of Scotland, can anybody suggest which website or magazine to use to sell this small classic cruiser?
 
upcountry2 said:
Not one bid, the market must be worse than I thought, or are these boats no longer sought after?
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I think they're all getting rather old. I looked at details for a few when I was after something that size, and all the Contessas I saw had very dispiriting interiors. Water-stained tatty plywood ain't really my thing.

Notes

(a) I know there are good ones around
(b) I know that a luxurious interior isn't the point of a Contessa.
 
I "traded down" to a Co26 from an AWB for the same reasons. The Beneteau was newish and very nice but just a bit boring. I bought a tatty Co26 and spent too much money on it. I loved the boat and had lots of fun, especially going aground frequently in the Thames Estuary which never happened on the Beneteau. However the "full crouching headroom" and basic facilities could mean you sail alone more than you expect. I've now traded up again to a Westerly Corsair, which is a great boat but I do miss the Contessa. One tip, try the owners association website at http://www.contessa26.net/
 
Wansworth said:
Albin Vega 27.
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+1 for the albin vega.

However, I would not get too hung up on pursuing a specific model but have a good look around to see which boats are for sale in this broad range then buy the best one. I also would ask you to consider where your cruising ground will be and on that basis select one or two keels. In the Solent there are real advantages to twin keels when it comes to finding a mooring and and anchoring.
 
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.
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I know where there is a fairly good one for about £ 3.5K I am told in good nick. Burnham on Crouch. owner just wants to shift it. Currently under cover
PM me for contact phone No.
 
Also, take a look at the Sadler 26: I completed a successful 4-month Round Britain trip in mine this year and loved the boat. This included the Orkneys and around the top of Scotland - no short cuts, so was well tried and tested at times! The Sadlers are good, comfortable sea boats and well capable of taking on the elements in any offshore cruising conditions. Alternatively, a Vancouver 27 or Sabre 27 (both excellent yachts), will give you that extra bit of headroom and space to rattle around in.
 
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