The Contessa 32 is one of those sailboats that will forever be etched in the history of European yachting. Designed by Englishman Jeremy Rogers, this boat is associated with some of the most memorable stories and unforgettable experiences. Here’s a look at this legendary used sailboat, which also happens to be an excellent value.
British shipyards have always had a reputation for knowing how to combine tradition, marine qualities and modernity. When Jeremy Rogers designed the Contessa 32He gave birth to one of the sailboats that best symbolizes this symbiosis.
The history of Contessa 32, it is above all the story of a man. Jeremy Rogers is the founder of the shipyard of the same name. After building FolkboatsHaving started with wood, he moved into polyester. This led to the creation, in 1965, of the Contessa range. with the Contessa 26, which was heavily inspired by the Folkboat. The boat was an immediate and undeniable success. Subsequently, In 1970, with David Sadler, the architect, he released the Contessa 32Typically British, this sailboat resembles a classic yacht from the era of classic yachting. Jeremy Rogers will be offering, with Doug Peterson, followed by more modern units such as the Contessa 35, winner of the On Ton Cup, and the little-known Contessa 28, an excellent cruising racer.
Contessa 32, a classic and modern sailboat
Beneath its unassuming exterior, Contessa 32 is a English sailboat. Built of fiberglass, it’s much more modern than it looks. The keel, for example, is separate from the rudder. While this 9.75m boat remains a compact design, in the spirit of English sailboats, its living space is well thought out. Regarding its construction, it’s important to know that Jeremy Rogers He was considered a global leader in new technologies. Indeed, he was the first to conceive of the resin injection molding system.
The Contessa 32 is a real cruise raceIt has nothing to be ashamed of compared to the First 30, its compatriot the Rustler 36, and other stars of the era that arrived later, or the Centurion 32. It is capable of adapting to many cruising programs. It is a very stable boat, with a long keel and a very low center of gravity. The boat sails very well upwind and handles heavy weather very well. Some have circumnavigated the globe, and another sailed from New York to San Francisco via Cape Horn in 1984.
In the purest tradition of classic British sailing ships
The Contessa 32 is a purely British sailboat. One doesn’t simply succumb to the allure of modernity. Boats are built to sail. And with elegance. The sailboat’s fiberglass construction (hull and deck) is extremely robust. The Contessa 32 is rigged as a sloop. While the rigging is typical of the era, with a large overlapping genoa, the boat is easily handled single-handed or with a small crew.
Inside, the woodwork is of very high quality. The layout is fairly classic. A forward cabin can accommodate two people, while the convertible saloon can accommodate two more crew members. The chart table is very large. And behind the chart table, there’s a comfortable quarter berth, sometimes called a coffin berth.
A boat associated with the history of the Fastnet
The Contessa 32 is inextricably linked to the history of the Fastnet Race. The 1979 edition was marked by an unprecedented storm. In winds exceeding 60 knots, only 86 boats out of more than 300 crossed the finish line. There were 14 fatalities. And the Contessa 32 was the only boat of its class, out of 58, to finish. This feat generated considerable buzz. Since then, its ballast ratio, beam, and freeboard have been considered a return to sensible design and a benchmark. However, I’m not convinced that this reputation lasted long.
Contessa 32 Technical Specifications
| Length excluding tax | 9.75 m |
| Waterline length | 7.32 m |
| Width | 2.90 m |
| Draft | 1.68 m |
| Sail area | 52.2 m² |
| Shift | 4309 kg |
| Ballast | 2042 kg |
| Ballast ratio | 47.00% |
In conclusion, the Contessa 32 was also built by Macbar Marine and J.J. Taylor and Sons Ltd., but production ceased in 1982. Jeremy Rogers, having taken over the bankrupt company, has been offering the Contessa 32 again since 1996. Between 1973 and 1990, around twenty units were built in Canada. In short, the boat is a British classic, just like the Nicholson or the… Rustler 36. More than 750 units have been produced since 1970. Contessa32 Owners’ Association organizes gatherings and is very active.
In 2019, the French skipper and writer Pierre Huglo participated in the “Long Route” challenge. He completed a round-the-world trip, non-stop, aboard his Contessa 32 “Fresh Herring”. It was one of the few sailboats, and the smallest, to complete the loop in 221 days, 18 hours and 46 minutes.