Why are YBW in love with Contessas?

[johnphilip]

I have been known to criticise the quality and accuracy of YM's journalists, specially when I actually have some knowledge of their subject. It is therefore incumbent upon me to praise those journalists when I totally concur with what they have written. So well done on the Contessa 32 article!

As a 6'1", blue ensign wearing, bearded but not a pipe smoking relic of the past I thoroughly enjoy my boat. Perhaps if the detractors thought of her as having a 24' LWL (it's the length I use in marinas as the amount of their water I occupy - airspace is free!) and tried comparing her with other boats of a similar LWL they would be less vociferous in their criticism. And anyway, my digestive system allows me to spend considerably more time sailing than sitting on the excellent Blake's porcelain.

Perhaps if the detractors thought of her as having a 24' LWL (it's the length I use in marinas as the amount of their water I occupy - airspace is free!) That's just dishonest and you should know it.

 

[lustyd]

The CYCA handicap system gives a Contessa 32 18.5 minutes per hour and a First 32 16 minutes per hour, so they think the First is faster than the Contessa. As is the Sigma 33 (15.25 minutes per hour) and the Bavaria 32 (16 minutes per hour).

http://www.cyca-online.org.uk/cgi-bin/CSV_search.pl?database=webclasses

Thanks, nice to see that come from someone who understands it better than me

 

[RobbieW]

I'm slightly surprised that this hasnt yet been mentioned - one of the attractions of the Co 32 was that throughout the 80s and 90s it was seen as an exemplar for stability. It has a very high angle of vanishing (AVS) stability at 155 degrees and the Co32 AVS curve used to be published monthly in YM alongside the curve for whatever boat was being reviewed that month. For those who were reading the magazine at the time that provided a strong positive reinforcement for the design.

Most sailors will never meet conditions where AVS matters, the few that do may be thankful they had a similar design to the Co. Take modern design to an extreme with the Class 40, V60/70, Pogo et al and you find boats almost as happy upside down as not.

In buying whatever one chooses its as well to be aware of its limitations and compromises.

 

[doug748]

I'm slightly surprised that this hasnt yet been mentioned - one of the attractions of the Co 32 was that throughout the 80s and 90s it was seen as an exemplar for stability. It has a very high angle of vanishing (AVS) stability at 155 degrees and the Co32 AVS curve used to be published monthly in YM alongside the curve for whatever boat was being reviewed that month. For those who were reading the magazine at the time that provided a strong positive reinforcement for the design.

Most sailors will never meet conditions where AVS matters, the few that do may be thankful they had a similar design to the Co. Take modern design to an extreme with the Class 40, V60/70, Pogo et al and you find boats almost as happy upside down as not.

In buying whatever one chooses its as well to be aware of its limitations and compromises.

Blimey, that's torn it.

Don't you know that modern generation boats are so quick you are in the Bistro before these ole tubs have a chance to reef and say their prayers. And anyway it don't matter because of the extra back, not cramped, bedroom and speed. -)

 

[gregcope]

Out of interest I had a look on Apollo Duck, there is a well updated Contessa for £27k in Chi, how much Benny First can you get for that money?

That will be mine I think.

When we were looking you could get a tired Benny First for similar money. More space, not as docile. Partner wanted the Co32 as she feels safe on it. Children would not fall out of the cockpit. Who am I to argue?

 

[Colvic Watson]

The Contessa 32 always seems to be up there in any poll of resected boats so it is not particularly surprising that they are still built, enjoyed and written about.

It is always depressing when folk seem unable to read about the strengths of a particular design without crying: What About Mine! Children do this when they are trapped in the pre-operational phase of development and are usually beyond it by the age of 7. Please no more "much better boats"

Some hope.

Wow - I thought I'd touched a raw nerve but accusing me of being a 7 year old kind of looks a bit insecure

I know my boat cannot even begin to compare to a Co32 windward, and I'd never suggest a Colvic Watson is better than a Co32; but neither is it worse, it's just very different, both the CW34 and the Co32 make big compromises that the editors of the mags cannot acknowledge exist in the Co32. See what I mean in the post above, you dare to mention that maaaaaaaaaaaybe they do actually have some failings and you get accused of being a 7 year old child.

 

[jerrytug]

That will be mine I think.

When we were looking you could get a tired Benny First for similar money. More space, not as docile. Partner wanted the Co32 as she feels safe on it. Children would not fall out of the cockpit. Who am I to argue?

Who indeed?

 

[Greenheart]

Perhaps people who like the Contessa's appearance, just approve of her looking thoroughly fit for her original purpose? In spite of how dismally cramped they know that makes her.

She looks to me every inch a very well-proportioned racing yacht (albeit in the slender style of half a century ago) whether that's something you like and admire, or detest...

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...I think she looks terrific, even though I've no interest in racing. But if I were to think of purchasing one, I'd be sure to entrench in my mind that she's actually only 26ft...

...because that seems to be how big she feels inside, and I'm as greedy for space inside yachts as I am for their good looks externally.

I suppose anyone who can see a row of dazzlingly plain modern AWBs and claim to like the way they look, isn't really thinking of their appearance, but of their comfort downstairs.

Journalists' and owners' affection for the Co32 must relate to her seakeeping and visual appeal, which mostly makes up for her laughably inadequate interior. In just the same way that each new bulbous, anonymous generation of Eurocruiser has a far nicer cabin to spend time inside. For their fans, the bland outer hideousness is likewise worth enduring.

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I wonder if the Co32 could be reworked, as a comfy two-berth cruiser with a decent loo & shower? The awful lack of space seems to result from making room for a racing crew.

 

[lustyd]

I suppose anyone who can see a row of dazzlingly plain modern AWBs and claim to like the way they look, isn't really thinking of their appearance, but of their comfort downstairs.

That's the dumbest thing I've read for a while, and I proof read all my own posts so that's saying something! You're actually saying that the Co32 is beautiful to you because it just is, but when I think an AWB looks good I'm actually wrong and deluded and thinking of something else? I actually LIKE the look of an AWB. Not because they are big, but because they are to my taste. I actually DISLIKE the look of the Contessa. Not because it isn't spacious, or light, or modern, but because I just don't like it. Same way I don't like fireplaces and wing backed chairs, it's not the lack of comfort, I just don't think they look very nice.

But I suppose anyone who can see a row of dreary old MABSs and claim to like the way they look, isn't really thinking of their appearance, but of their tradition and all that varnishing that'll keep them safely in port rather than sailing.

I wonder if the Co32 could be reworked, as a comfy two-berth cruiser with a decent loo & shower?

Yes, it's called a Beneteau/Jeanneau/Bavaria/Hanse/Halberg. These are the result of thousands of improvements on the older yacht designs. Many of them are faster, safer and roomier than the Contessa too.

 

[awol]

Most other boat owners descend to choice-supportive bias or, if you prefer, "buyer's Stockholm syndrome", to defend their purchase. Us CO32 owners don't need to resort to such cognitive bias. All we need to do is pick up a couple of random issues of YM and there, in print, is all the reinforcement we could possibly need. My sympathies to those whose insecurities can't let them exult in the joy that this gives.

And for those that just don't get it, she is amply comfortable cruising with 2; is easy to single-hand; may not be particularly fast or close-winded; repays with interest concentration and skill; takes gross abuse to even think about broaching; has a cockpit you sit in, not on; has low enough freeboard to make picking up moorings, climbing onboard, pontoon stepping very easy; is easy to move round the decks; can take more weather than the crew could want; etc., etc. and to cap it all has that most important attribute of all - a very high RAF.

 

[lustyd]

And for those that just don't get it

By which you mean for people who don't share your opinion. Lots of us have considered what you've said and still prefer other boats. Contessa seems to be the iPhone of the sea

 

[dunedin]

Contessa seems to be the iPhone of the sea

Nah, a Contessa is like an old Nokia candy bar phone. Solid, indestructible, a real work horse of its day and looked back at with nostalgia - but designs and technology has moved on.

Incidentally, if looking for a great sailing inexpensive 32 footer, wouldn't a Fulmar be a better comparison to a Co 32.
The Fulmar is a pretty excellent seaboat for most people - and I would have thought faster, at least as nice to sail, dryer due to more freeboard and excellent spacious seagoing accommodation. It would certainly get my vote ove a Co (though lts of headlining glue needed!)

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Before it gets too bitchy in here can I ask again which current production boats of 32' length you would consider suitable to short/single hand to Greenland? So far the only suggestion offered is the Finngulf 33. There must be others?
It's a serious question because if I ever get round to buying my own boat that's what I would be looking for.

 

[JumbleDuck]

If the Contessa is loved due to a price point then this should be added as a caveat to a review. Quite a lot of boaters actually genuinely believe they are better/safer/faster boats due to "reviews" like these when in fact they are none of the above. They are reasonable sailers for the money, and some think they are nicer looking than more modern boats (I disagree). I don't think they are bad boats, it just annoys me (and clearly some others) that these boats are seen as some magical unicorn and all other boats are donkeys for no better reason than rose tinted specs.

+1,000,000

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thanks, nice to see that come from someone who understands it better than me

OK, I confess. I had to look up a Centaur to make sure which numbers are faster ...

 

[Greenheart]

I actually LIKE the look of an AWB. I actually DISLIKE the look of the Contessa.

Great little mantra, Lusty. Reminds me of what the marine-cadets tell themselves. Keep repeating it to yourself for long enough, in the end you'll be convinced. Or, maybe not. :biggrin-new:

Meanwhile, don't try to kid anyone else you think AWBs look great. They just look fit for purpose, like the fat caravans they are. Very comfortable, too.

...if looking for a great sailing inexpensive 32 footer, wouldn't a Fulmar be a better comparison to a Co 32?

Hard to argue with that. Not quite so pretty, but so much better below. And still a good performer with bilge keels! It'd be my choice, though I'd still be sad each time I saw a Co32.

 

[mrming]

Before it gets too bitchy in here can I ask again which current production boats of 32' length you would consider suitable to short/single hand to Greenland? So far the only suggestion offered is the Finngulf 33. There must be others?
It's a serious question because if I ever get round to buying my own boat that's what I would be looking for.

Pogo 30 (couple of feet shorter but with huge internal volume) - if you don't mind the spartan interior, very fast, seaworthy and set up for short handed sailing.

 

[Greenheart]

Seaworthy? Looks...sort of exciting, I admit...

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[awol]

I have had both a Fulmar and a CO32. No argument that the longer LWL Fulmar is faster and more spacious but my preference is definitely for the CO32 which IMO is a much nicer boat to sail, never slams, and never tries to decapitate me with the mainsheet. But then, I don't need the internal space.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I have had both a Fulmar and a CO32. No argument that the longer LWL Fulmar is faster and more spacious but my preference is definitely for the CO32 which IMO is a much nicer boat to sail, never slams, and never tries to decapitate me with the mainsheet. But then, I don't need the internal space.

Wouldn't it be boring if we all liked the same sort of boat?