The Contessa - Sadler 26 dilema

[ma99ing]

Hello everyone,

Im gearing up to buy our first yacht, and can't decide between these two. Ive listed what I think are pro's and con's but having sailed on neither, Id appreciate any advice from people with more experience in a similar situation, especially from any sailors with knowledge of the West - North West of Ireland.

I have my day skipper, my wife has her competent crew, and we have a 1 year daughter. The boat will most likely be moored in Westport, Clew Bay, Ireland.

Contessa 26 - Price tag approx 10k. 1970's build.
Pros - Beautiful lines. Good sea going capabilities
Cons - Low freeboard, single skin, risk of flooding cabin (?)
Fin keel only

Sadler 26 - Price tag 15k - 1980's build
Pros - Double Skin, "unsinkable", not that Id want to try. Newer build.
Twin keel option , so can dry out. Good for sailing inshore West of Ireland ?
Cons - Not as nice looking as the Contessa (or Sadler 25)

I think both have the same headroom. Im looking for a safe, comfortable boat to gain some experience in, with my wife and daughter. We want to be able to sleep onboard for wend or week long trips.

Most likely cruising around the coast & out to the islands, Clare, Achill, Inisbofin & Arran maybe etc. Up to Bellmullet & down to Mannin Bay & Galway.

As Im writing this, the Sadler 26 seems to be the most logical choice, especially the fin keel, so we can dry out on a lee shore somewhere. But as an old dinghy sailor, I do like to trim my sails and get the best performance out of a boat. How do the twin keel sail versus the Sadler fin or Contessa fin ?

Thanks in advance for any input

 

[Benjamin78]

What did you go for in the end...I'm in a similar dilemma... appreciate you asked this 11 years ago!

 

[doug748]

The OP has not been back since the day after he posted, however I think you should get a fair response if you hang on.

 

[LittleSister]

The OP has not been back since the day after he posted . . .

Curious that, given that he'd been on the forum for 18 months or so at that point.

Curious also that such a question received no responses at the time.

 

[dgadee]

Drying out on a lee shore doesn't sound too good. Maybe that explains all.

 

[Sailing steve]

Drying out on a lee shore doesn't sound too good. Maybe that explains all.

Especially not with a fin keel...

 

[Benjamin78]

The OP has not been back since the day after he posted, however I think you should get a fair response if you hang on.

I'll check back in another 11 years!

 

[D1bram]

Heart or head? I own neither, but have a hurley 27, so similar below the water to the contessa but with a much bigger coachroof providing excellent headroom but very much at the expense of aesthetics.

The contessa will be cramped by anyones standards, will be a great sea boat and sail very nicely but not fast. The Sadler will be significantly more spacious, I dare say faster and all round better as a family boat.

Do you want a family weekender or something to sail single handed round Britain?

 

[Benjamin78]

Hurley 27...they look bullet proof!

In answer to your question... sailing single handed or with a friend around the British isles.

The thought of being on a boat with my family makes me want to jump overboard...as much as I love them...come to think of they might say the same about me

How about a sadler 25?

Heart or head? I own neither, but have a hurley 27, so similar below the water to the contessa but with a much bigger coachroof providing excellent headroom but very much at the expense of aesthetics.

The contessa will be cramped by anyones standards, will be a great sea boat and sail very nicely but not fast. The Sadler will be significantly more spacious, I dare say faster and all round better as a family boat.

Do you want a family weekender or something to sail single handed

 

[Tranona]

The boat you choose is of less importance than you. All of the boats mentioned so far are suitable and have done similar things. By far the most important things when buying at this end of the market is condition, equipment and something you feel comfortable with. Also worth looking past the old style sort of Folkboat derived boats to the next generation where boats are generally faster, more spacious and comfortable, These boats were designed for coastal and near offshore cruising around the British Isles and you see them in regular use doing just that. They sold in much greater numbers so a greater choice in the used market.

 

[LittleSister]

The correct answer to the OP's question (or anyone else's come to that) is, of course, an Anderson 22!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

he probably saw sense and got a twister.

 

[Ribtecer]

The boat you choose is of less importance than you. All of the boats mentioned so far are suitable and have done similar things. By far the most important things when buying at this end of the market is condition, equipment and something you feel comfortable with. Also worth looking past the old style sort of Folkboat derived boats to the next generation where boats are generally faster, more spacious and comfortable, These boats were designed for coastal and near offshore cruising around the British Isles and you see them in regular use doing just that. They sold in much greater numbers so a greater choice in the used market.

Contessa 26 for sale UK, Contessa boats for sale, Contessa used boat sales, Contessa Sailing Yachts For Sale Contessa 26 - Apollo Duck

Nowt to do with me, but nice little boat by the look of it.

 

[Tranona]

Contessa 26 for sale UK, Contessa boats for sale, Contessa used boat sales, Contessa Sailing Yachts For Sale Contessa 26 - Apollo Duck

Nowt to do with me, but nice little boat by the look of it.

Always plenty of suitable (and often better) alternatives available for example yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats/varne/27

 

[Stemar]

If you want your wife to come with you, I'd look for a boat with a proper head where you can close the door and a few similar creature comforts.

 

[Benjamin78]

If you want your wife to come with you, I'd look for a boat with a proper head where you can close the door and a few similar creature comforts.

Even if it had a gold plated heated seat and flushed chanel number 5 she wouldn't join me!

 

[Benjamin78]

Always plenty of suitable (and often better) alternatives available for example yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats/varne/27

Interesting

Contessa 26 for sale UK, Contessa boats for sale, Contessa used boat sales, Contessa Sailing Yachts For Sale Contessa 26 - Apollo Duck

Nowt to do with me, but nice little boat by the look of it.

It's a beauty...no doubt about it

 

[doug748]

How about a sadler 25?

Of the boats mentioned the Sadler 25 is available at about half the price of the 26. The 26 is a later and much bigger boat, but like many slightly portly alternatives is not quite in the same league under sail. The Contessa 26 is capable of feats of endurance but is very snug internally.
You have to figure out your buying budget, running purse and sailing priorities , there is no best boat.

There are a lot of belting alternatives available at this time of year, I might buy rather more on condition rather than reputation.

.

 

[Benjamin78]

Doug...yes a sadler 25 is a serious contender for me, I've been eyeing up a couple on sale...do you have any experience with the 25's?

 

[doug748]

Some experience of both the 25 and 26. I made my first long channel crossing crewing a fin keel 25 many years ago. Pin sharp handling, goes where she points and ( having a skeg ) tracks very well. I would avoid spade rudders for singlehanding unless you want to race. Stowage is fine and you will be generally sailing with dry decks
Most have a linear galley which I personally don't like but others may love, headroom is crouching style for many people. If you find one with the original cranked U bolt holding up the backstay, replace it with a beefed up item. The older I get the more I appreciate boats that can dry out, the bilge keel Sadler is said to sail very well and looking at the style of the keels you can imagine that.

I have a chum who has sailed her bilge keel 26 extensively on her own, a very comfortable boat with much better headroom but a steadier sail. As her hull is foam filled she is generally regarded as "unsinkable" so you don't need to think about liferafts and she is quiet down below with good thermal insulation.

I would have either depending on condition.

.