Spotless Contessa 32 for those with deep pockets and a yearning for a bit of nostalgia ....

[Baggywrinkle]

Boat Details | Grabau International

Contessa 32 in Lymington, completely re-fitted for £115,000 .... .... any takers?

 

[dunedin]

Hasn’t that boat been on the market for quite a while?
Clearly a wealthy person with money to burn, as spent a fortune on a complete rebuild but virtually never used. A bit liked those that spend fortunes on old cars that just sit in storage sheds.
Not tempted. At the end of the day it is still a small and cramped boat compared to any other 32 footer.

 

[Frogmogman]

Hasn’t that boat been on the market for quite a while?
Clearly a wealthy person with money to burn, as spent a fortune on a complete rebuild but virtually never used. A bit liked those that spend fortunes on old cars that just sit in storage sheds.
Not tempted. At the end of the day it is still a small and cramped boat compared to any other 32 footer.

I agree, yet compared to the price of a new one (as reported in the latest Classic Boat) it would appear to be a conspicuous bargain.

 

[Poignard]

A bargain for someone with more money than sense.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

The new one is actually more expensive than a Dragonfly 32! As for £115000 for a used one, refitted as she is, I can’t quite see why anyone in their right mind would.

 

[KevinV]

I can see why someone would go for this, but I don't see how you can call it "zero hours" with a knackered genoa like that.

 

[dunedin]

At risk of making Concerto over smug, if I wanted a “zero hours“ rebuilt classic 32 footer I would choose a Fulmar over a Contessa 32. PS Now upset awol but can’t please everybody all the time

 

[Chiara’s slave]

At risk of making Concerto over smug, if I wanted a “zero hours“ rebuilt classic 32 footer I would choose a Fulmar over a Contessa 32. PS Now upset awol but can’t please everybody all the time

If I wanted a rebuilt 32ft classic… but then again no thanks. I cannot deny C32s are fine looking and seaworthy craft. But I find them slow and unwieldy as racers, and barely better down below than our DF920. And as a UK coastal cruiser, the DF will be in the Scillies before the C32 rounds Start Point.

 

[doug748]

Never heard of Grabau International but they seem to have some upmarket stock. The only thing cheaper than the Contessa is a 30 foot Italian dayboat for 80 grand:

 

[Mark-1]

I can see why someone would go for this, but I don't see how you can call it "zero hours" with a knackered genoa like that.

It's had a really hard life, as well. Maybe not up there with a charter boat but the owners have all put some hard miles on it.

Not exactly like buying an ex Taxi, but neither is it like buying a low milage 20yo VW that an elderly lady left in her garage except when it was serviced once a year. (Yes, I accept it's a slightly flawed comparison.)

Having said that it's the sort of boat I think other people should own so I hope it sells and gets a lot of use. That way, like thatched cottages, I get to admire it without having the disadvantages of using it.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

It's had a really hard life, as well. Maybe not up there with a charter boat but the owners have all put some hard miles on it.

Not exactly like buying an ex Taxi, but neither is it like buying a low milage 20yo VW that an elderly lady left in her garage except when it was serviced once a year. (Yes, I accept it's a slightly flawed comparison.)

Having said that it's the sort of boat I think other people should own. That way, like thatched cottages, I get to admire it without having the disadvantages of using it.

That's the thing. You cannot see how good looking a boat is from standing on the deck. You need somebody else to sail it past you.

 

[steveeasy]

Oh these threads make me chuckle. so much negativity about the boat. Yes its cramped a bit inside. but thats not what its about. so is a Morgan but its cool.. If you want an ugly duck buy one. Would I prefer something with more room inside over the stearn of a Contessa 32, absolutely not. Even on my limited lifestyle budget A fully refitted Contessa 32 for £115,000 would be a reasonable purchase and a savy one at that compared to 3 or 400,000 for a new boat. after another 10 years the Contessa would hardly depreciate where the new one would have lost at least half its purchase value. Oh and yes I still Like Twisters too!!.

Steveeasy

 

[Poignard]

The Contessa 32 is without doubt a fine boat.
But £115,000?

 

[steveeasy]

The Contessa 32 is without doubt a fine boat.
But £115,000?

But its not really too much. Its very highly specd. and a potential buyer really would not need to spend a penny. if you bought a new boat today for 3-400,000 youd still have to upgrade electronics and get a cruising chute. the sails would be cruising spec and you could easily justify another £20,000 in upgrades. Shes as good as new.

What really intrigues me is why Twisters have such a low value, which some people think high. The dearest Twister from memory was on the market for £30,000 and she was a beauty. Classic well designed good looking boats are massively undervalued thankfully. A decent car is not far of the price of the Contessa, who would give that a second glance.

Steveeasy

 

[awol]

If £115k is too much for you I'll reluctantly let mine go for about half that! And you are right Alan, having experienced both Fulmar and CO32 I know which I prefer though I do miss the hand-startable Bukh.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Oh these threads make me chuckle. so much negativity about the boat. Yes its cramped a bit inside. but thats not what its about. so is a Morgan but its cool.. If you want an ugly duck buy one. Would I prefer something with more room inside over the stearn of a Contessa 32, absolutely not. Even on my limited lifestyle budget A fully refitted Contessa 32 for £115,000 would be a reasonable purchase and a savy one at that compared to 3 or 400,000 for a new boat. after another 10 years the Contessa would hardly depreciate where the new one would have lost at least half its purchase value. Oh and yes I still Like Twisters too!!.

Steveeasy

Morgans are about visceral performance. The things are meant to tear your liver out and wave it in front of you. Scare you and thrill you, in equal measure. I’m afraid my scare and thrill threshold is a bit beyond a C32.

 

[steveeasy]

Morgans are about visceral performance. The things are meant to tear your liver out and wave it in front of you. Scare you and thrill you, in equal measure. I’m afraid my scare and thrill threshold is a bit beyond a C32.

Doubt!!!

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Doubt!!!

I love classic racing. Whilst the XOD needs 20 kn to get exciting, I race other classics. 8M class, and this year hopefully another rather well known gaffer. 57ft and plenty of sail, plus the wow factor. And she recently changed hands for only a bit more thsn that used C32. What would you rather have. A C32, or Kelpie?

 

[steveeasy]

I love classic racing. Whilst the XOD needs 20 kn to get exciting, I race other classics. 8M class, and this year hopefully another rather well known gaffer. 57ft and plenty of sail, plus the wow factor. And she recently changed hands for only a bit more thsn that used C32. What would you rather have. A C32, or Kelpie?

Show me a pic of Kelpie and ill let you know.

 

[Chiara’s slave]