Why are Contessa 32's so loved

1/2 inch pre 1972 well mixed catalyst ....

**** (Lets see if anybody knows what the pre-1972 resin/catalyast properties are ????

???
 
Bav34 said:
What a lovely word.

scatology /sca·tol·o·gy/ (skah-tol´ah-je)
1. study and analysis of feces, as for diagnosis.
2. a preoccupation with feces, filth, and obscenities.scatolog´icalscatolog´ic

...................................
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Surprisingly I do know what some of the words I use mean, though I would spell "faeces" rather than your colonial manner (possibly not the product of one of the better public schools?).
While your post only commented on the proximity of heads and berths, posts on the thread dealing with YMs comparison article seemed, IIRC, to linger on the heads issue. However, if I wished to cruise with 5 others, I certainly would not choose a CO32, but for a single-hander or a couple she ticks all my boxes - certainly there are details that I criticise but the overall package suits me just fine.

Didn't you like "venial" ?
 
jimi said:
despite being named after a small breasted woman's bra, wet, cramped, only decent point of sail upwind in a gale, major selling point is being able to reright after capsize after being too slow to get to refuge and getting caught out in massive breaking waves.

Surely better off spending the same money ona bigger, drier ,faster, more comfortable boat?
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Same reason people are still fond of MGBs and Velocettes. Sentimentality
 
awol said:
Surprisingly I do know what some of the words I use mean, though I would spell "faeces" rather than your colonial manner (possibly not the product of one of the better public schools?).
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Got me bang to rights Guvner.

Lifted straight orf the 'colonial' internet.

Didnt no wot it ment see???

Gor lummy ... Mater will be SO disappointed with your comments.

:(
 
" Why are Contessa 32's so loved "

Well it is just the same with partners and girlfriends.

Everyone wants a pretty, slim one .... but there are not enough of them to go around.

So sadly someone has to tackle the portly one with the top hamper, that looks ok at
certain angles, with the beer goggles on.
 
jimi said:
despite being named after a small breasted woman's bra, wet, cramped, only decent point of sail upwind in a gale, major selling point is being able to reright after capsize after being too slow to get to refuge and getting caught out in massive breaking waves.

Surely better off spending the same money ona bigger, drier ,faster, more comfortable boat?
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Their keels don't fall off and you can't make a new forehatch by standing up too quickly in the wrong place.
 
Handsome Centurions used to take off the contessas and do the business, quickly but smoothly, gently and in the style to which they were accustomed.
 
Ubergeekian said:
Their keels don't fall off and you can't make a new forehatch by standing up too quickly in the wrong place.
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No but the panels forward of the main bulkhead flexed and cracked badly so eventually additional stringers were needed to give support. Not to mention the original builder now makes a very healthy living repairing and restoring them, something other boat builders haven't done. Maybe Westerly or Marcon could re-invent themselves the same way?
 
Robin said:
the original builder now makes a very healthy living repairing and restoring them, something other boat builders haven't done. Maybe Westerly or Marcon could re-invent themselves the same way?
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If owners and prepared to "invest" significant amounts of money to to bring a contessa back to A1 condition (normally more that they would ever get back if selling her) I would suggest that this is just another example of how loved and appreciated CO32's are.

As has been said above it's often a decision lead by the heart rather than the head.
 
Georgio said:
If owners and prepared to "invest" significant amounts of money to to bring a contessa back to A1 condition (normally more that they would ever get back if selling her) I would suggest that this is just another example of how loved and appreciated CO32's are.
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I believe it's still possible to send wooden SZD gliders back to the factory in Poland and have them completely refurbished. I know one club which did that with a couple of 1960s Bocian two seaters rather than buy new or newer.

I suspect that it wouldn;t be cost effective for classic Westerlies: you'd start with a £10k Centaur and spend, what £30k perhaps to end up with something not much better than a £20k Centaur. Mind you, the refurbished Hunter 19 at the Boat Show was drop dead gorgeous.
 
I think Contessa 32s are loved because they are beautiful boats.

There are however, an awful lot of tatty ones wanting top money.

I also think they are akin to the chocolate box thatched cottage. They look great, until you go inside, then you realise that beauty comes at a price, low ceilings, small inside, and quite dark....But people love them both
 
awol said:
I get confused by the scatological priorities of some posters. If, as I understand, few of them venture far from the safety of marinas, then surely the onshore facilities will be more than sufficient. If they do venture into anchorages I presume they are not so antisocial as to evacuate solids. And if a sea toilet is what is required, I can assure you that the CO32 variety is safe and easy to occupy in all sea conditions. A holding tank, I suppose, allows en-suite evacuation wherever the boat is but I have never felt the need to add this facility, although I know CO32s that have.

As has been said, it's horses for courses and CO32 owners haven't bought them because they are bigger, cheaper, more voluminous, have more toys, impress the Joneses, are faster, or for any other venial reason not associated with actually enjoying sailing. I reckon all boat choices require compromise and for me toilet/f'c'sle proximity is not one of my biggest concerns.
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Strange, a CO32 is I suspect a rare visitor in an anchorage, the fact that they are so pretty one tends to notice them. In fact I suspect most CO32 are only used as day sailors, so on board facilities are not so important.
 
Very pretty but..

Several posts have referred to one of the most frequent comments on the contessa namely that she is a very pretty boat (as viewed from another!). I have to say her lines never appealed greatly to me whereas when I view Holman & Pye designed Wauquiez Centurion and Gladiateur models, I think now there is a boat with lovely lines - better than the contessa IMHO - without the inflated price tag.

(sez he heading for the door....)
 
doug748 said:
" Why are Contessa 32's so loved "

Well it is just the same with partners and girlfriends.

Everyone wants a pretty, slim one .... but there are not enough of them to go around.

So sadly someone has to tackle the portly one with the top hamper, that looks ok at
certain angles, with the beer goggles on.
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And some are just too short and a bit slow!
 
Georgio said:
If owners and prepared to "invest" significant amounts of money to to bring a contessa back to A1 condition (normally more that they would ever get back if selling her) I would suggest that this is just another example of how loved and appreciated CO32's are.

As has been said above it's often a decision lead by the heart rather than the head.
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Indeed, and a great deal of personal satisfaction can be gained from a restoration project, be it boat or car. I am restoring a 1967 Austin Healey Mk4 Sprite. It wont be used as everyday transport and I will spend considerably more on the car than it will ever be worth.

You can only get the satisfaction though, I believe, if you carry out the work yourself. To have the work done for you is missing the point completely.
 
SAWDOC said:
Several posts have referred to one of the most frequent comments on the contessa namely that she is a very pretty boat (as viewed from another!). I have to say her lines never appealed greatly to me whereas when I view Holman & Pye designed Wauquiez Centurion and Gladiateur models, I think now there is a boat with lovely lines - better than the contessa IMHO - without the inflated price tag.

(sez he heading for the door....)
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Kim Holman certainly designed some lovely hulls.
 
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