The Jeremy Rogers shipyard in England is not the best-known of British sailboat manufacturers. Yet some of its production series are among the sailboats that have marked the history of recreational boating in Great Britain, and that of offshore racing in Europe.
Among his designs is another excellent sailboat, the Contessa 28. This Doug Peterson design is little known in France. Yet it is an excellent sailboat, with a magnificent hull and a look of rare elegance.
The construction site Jeremy Rogers is located on the shores of the Solent, at Lymington, in the south of England. He began production with the Contessa 26 Jeremy Rogers construction site will present, in 1970, the Contessa 32. This beautiful 9-meter sailboat will be even more successful. It will be recognized as one of the best boats in its class. In 1979, it will be one of the few, and the smallest boat, to finish a race that will go down in history, the Fastnet, in that deadly year.
Contessa 28, a sailboat with ambitions
In the mid-1970s, the shipyard would release two more models, the Contessa 35, star in his time of the CRI gauge and the Contessa 28, a racing-cruising boat. These two sailboats will be designed by the architect Doug Peterson, who passed away in 2017. Doug Peterson is, at that time, one of the stars of the regatta circuit, along with the architect Ron HollandA large part of the Half-Tonner’s plans come through their pencil strokes.
THE British shipyard will therefore call upon the American architect with the ambition of offering fast and seaworthy sailboats. While the Contessa 35 is resolutely racing-oriented, the Contessa 28 is more racer-cruiser oriented.
The Contessa 28 was produced from 1977 to 1980. It was successful in Great Britain but struggled to gain a foothold in the European market, at a time when the French were gaining more and more ground with sailboats that were less well-finished but cheaper.
A seaworthy and high-performance sailboat
The Contessa 28 has all the qualities of a Doug Peterson design. While not a purely technical or racing sailboat, it’s a true thoroughbred. works well at all speedsIt is upwind that he will show all his qualities. He is capable of making an excellent course.
The boat performs equally well in a breeze and light winds. Naturally, you’ll need to reef fairly quickly, like sailboats such as the Rush. But on the other hand, it handles choppy waters very well and holds its course comfortably. Its forward beam and narrow stern, however, make it a little less pleasant downwind.
Comfortable and high-quality facilities
The deck layout is typically English. The cockpit is deep, safe, and comfortable. However, the coamings are either nonexistent or, at the very least, uncomfortable. The tiller is very long, allowing the helmsman to position themselves close to the lines, or even sheltered under a sprayhood, without a tiller extension.
Inside, the boat is welcoming. The woodwork is of very high quality. and are present everywhere. At the same time, the internal bulkhead is of very high quality and eliminates the need for additional lining. The chart table is ingeniously mounted on rails. At anchor or in port, you can slide it over the coffin berth to save space.
The saloon table provides secure storage for a few bottles of wine or aperitifs. The convertible saloon offers a comfortable double berth to the side, without obstructing access to the forward cabin. The forward cabin is separated from the saloon by the enclosed head and sink.
In conclusion, the construction truly lives up to the shipyard’s reputation. The monolithic hull is thick and beautifully built. The lead ballast is cast in the mold, so there are no keel bolts to check.
Only the bridge, at the front, may experience some cases of delamination. In this case, you either need to be a DIY enthusiast or call in professionals.
Contessa 28 Technical Specifications
- Hull length: 8.43m
- Waterline length: 6.71m
- Width: 2.88m
- Draft: 1.50m
- Weight: 3162kg
- Ballast: 1270kg
- Engine: 12hp