Contessa 32 Zenith

One of the first of the new-generation hulls from Jeremy Rogers – a modern Contessa 32 for around a tenth of the new-build price.

Nearly every Contessa 32 for sale is a 1970s or ’80s boat. Zenith is not. When Jeremy Rogers returned to boatbuilding, hers was among the very first hulls of the new generation – modern moulding at the Lymington yard where she still lies today – with an interior fitted out in mahogany by M J Slack, renowned for its superior quality and a clear step above the production interiors of the earlier boats. New Contessa 32s remain in build today from £420,000 including VAT.

She has been in her current experienced ownership for six years, and is being sold only because her owner is moving up in size. In that time, almost every system aboard has been renewed.

Engine and drivetrain – effectively new. Beta 25hp and gearbox installed 2020 (approx. 355 hours), last full service December 2025. In 2025 the entire stern gear was renewed: new propeller shaft, Aquadrive flexible coupling and Tides Marine shaft seal. Batteries, charger and solar trickle charging replaced in 2020.

Rig and sails – renewed 2024. New standing rigging and rigging screws, most running rigging replaced, new Spinlock clutches, single-line reefing to reefs 1 and 2 and double-line reefing to reef 3. Sanders fully battened Vectron mainsail (three reefs) on a Tides Marine low-friction luff track; Sanders Vectron 130% furling genoa (2021) on a replaced furling unit (2023). Storm jib and trisail in orange Dacron plus three spinnakers. The inventory also includes a brand new, never-fitted Sea Feather windvane self-steering gear a genuine offshore wardrobe, ready for serious passage-making.

Navigation and comfort – Raymarine EV1 autopilot and Axiom 9 plotter with Navionics Platinum UK charts (2022); Icom VHF (2021). Webasto diesel heating (2024), new upholstery, curtains and cockpit cushions, hot and cold pressurised water, shore power, and hatches and portlights replaced throughout (2020).

Fresh antifoul and anodes, December 2025.

There is no refit list with this boat: the work a buyer would normally budget for over the next decade has already been done.

The design needs no introduction – the Contessa 32’s reputation was written in the 1979 Fastnet, and the class remains active enough to hold its own start at Cowes Week. What rarely appears for sale is a modern example. Buy a 1970s boat for £25,000 and feed the yard for years, buy new for £420,000, or buy Zenith and go sailing.

Lying Lymington Yacht Haven.

Contact Dan at DFD Marine on +44 (0)1590 676 782 / sales@maloyachts.co.uk, or message the owner directly.

See description.