Forums, Everything Else

Silver Harmony at 26/02/2014 22:34:03
Has anyone successfully carried (not towed) a rigid dinghy on their Contessa 32?

What make/design?
Where did you carry it?
How did you launch it?
What (if any) problems did you have with it?

Robert.

doug at 20/09/2013 10:33:38
As the 32 hull has a slight tumblehome I’m thinking that it would not come out of a one part mould.

So is the hull moulded in two parts and then bonded together or is the mould split in order to remove the finished hull?

I think I have seen a photo of a new hull in the mould – but can’t think where it was.

……There is no practical or sensible reason for me wanting to know this!

doug at 14/08/2013 11:18:48
My 10kg Bruce is getting a bit rusty. I am quite fond of it and I could get it spruced up but am thinking of maybe buying a new one instead.

I am thinking of a 10kg Delta or maybe a 11kg Manson Supreme. I will not be spending more than the £230 the Manson would cost. The Kobra would be in the frame but I am not attracted by the nuts and bolts holding it together plus it looks very much like the Delta in other respects.
Two questions then:
1) Would either of those two anchors fit in the locker?
2) Are they any better than the Bruce – have you made a similar swap?

Thanks for any observations backed up by experience.

Tazling at 03/08/2013 07:10:55
In Campbell River (actually Westview) BC, saw a CO32 called Hara at the dock, blue hull, red lettering. She seems to be undergoing a major reno — nothing but the best! New mast, new boom, freshly polyurethaned deck/cabintop, new blocks, new rigging, boomkicker … wow! Shiny! Being restored to a brand-new yacht-quality boat. The hull however looks like it’s seen some miles and the lettering is in a style that (to me) suggests the early 80’s.

Does anyone know this boat? The sails are by UK so I was wondering if she was a British import; doesn’t have the JJT plaque over the companionway.

Curious. There aren’t so very many of them around here on the West Coast, so any sighting is intriguing.

De

PhilipH at 16/07/2013 21:35:52
Hi,
Could anyone help clarify the true identity of my Co32, White Heron?
I purchased her Many years ago in Germany, where I live, as build and sail number 659 from 1978.
On starting a recent refurbishment and stripping out interior trims I find no. 360 scrawled on many, obviously original parts, this appears to be confirmed by a number stamped on the transom which ends in 360.
This would make her at least five years older as far as I can tell.
According to the previous owner she was originally deliverd in Germany and spent all her Life here.
Any Info. Or ideas greatly appreciated!

Alastair D Pugh at 23/06/2013 13:40:11
That organ of the free press “Yachting Life” has produced a puff piece in the July issue with the full width headline – “Contessa 32 Nationals for Scotland ?”
Entries for the Round Mull Race are still being accepted so why not join in? One error is that the cup is the Association’s, not mine.

Tazling at 01/06/2013 21:41:20
I’d like to change my user name, but that seems not to be an option. Does anyone know how to contact the forum maintainers?

ta

de

Tazling at 24/05/2013 00:46:38
Checking back in: have owned my ‘81 CO32 since February, but not many sailing hours yet as the weather in BC is about what it usually is this time of year :-)

I did the first haulout earlier this week and found not much to surprise me: some blistering, but not severe (mostly pencil-eraser sized, and scattered not clustered). I may go back and deal with those next season.

One real puzzle: on both sides of the hull, symmetrically placed, one set towards fwd end of keel and one set towards after end, are rectangular “scars” about 18inches square, as if square sections of hull had been cut out and then glassed back in again! I can’t imagine that this was collision damage as the locations are too symmetrical, too deliberately placed. Is this the result of some booboo at Taylor’s yard, where they had to cut their way in to remedy an oversight earlier in the construction? Has anyone else ever seen such a thing on their hull? There is one more small rectangular “cutout” low on the stem, near where it makes the smooth radius turn into the keel leading edge.

Apart from this somewhat disturbing mystery the hull is perfectly fair and the lines are quite lovely; all the curves from hull into keel (athwartships and fore/aft) are sweet.

The rudder is surprisingly small, but obviously it works well as the boat steers easily. It seems to be in good shape (no sign of water intrusion and softening). There are zincs on the keel sides (aft) that might be part of some kind of bonding system (haven’t found the wires yet in the black hole called the bilge).

If anyone has a clue about the rectangular “windows” in the hull, I’m very curious about them. They were not faired in perfectly. I didn’t have the time or the weather to get serious with a sander and find out whether there is in fact a patch line in the glass; was barely able to do a quick wet sand and get a coat of CSC on in between downpours!

Anyway she is now back in the water and ready for the renaming ceremony (I may have to cancel this account and set up a new one with the right name!)

cheers to all, hope your weather is better than ours

James Chew at 12/05/2013 20:04:40
Hello everyone. I live in Falmouth and have owned my Contessa for 1 year and I want to sail to France this summer. I’ve been sailing dinghies my whole life but am a newbie in the big-boat offshore side to sailing, and I will have an all-novice crew, so my question is ‘where in France should I sail to? I’m looking for somewhere picturesque to visit, but most importantly without very strong tides, lots of rocks, lots of shipping etc. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

the5young1z at 06/05/2013 17:54:04
I want to move my Contessa from the marina (Solent) to my home (Surrey) and put her on a cradle in the driveway. Has anybody else done this successfully and if so, who did you use to move the boat?

doug at 22/02/2013 22:53:21
Now I know this is not the right place, but I thought members would be very interested to see that Assent is being offered for sale:

http://www.boatingworldsw.co.uk/#/assent/4571904917

I have no interest in the sale! Assent is such an icon I guess the moderators might allow this “advert” through the net…

Trashers at 10/02/2013 14:01:16
Gentlemen I have recently purchased a Contessa 33, which I am very much aware is not what this forum is dedicated to. But as it is of the same family I would be grateful if you would let me join and get hints and tips about Contessa ownership as a lot of what I have read so far is very relevent…

Alan Dixon at 01/02/2013 12:08:17
Has anyone fitted a Habitent M-NS?

According to the company several have been sold to CO32 owners. The stern of the Contessa is a little narrower than the spec of the narrow stern version. The company suggest not using the legs and suspend the stern roof pole from the backstay using a wire rope clip and a carbine snap hook.
Any Experience / comments welcome.
We plan to circumnavigate the top of Scotland this summer (through the Caledonian then round the top) and a cockpit enclosure would be a boon in that climate.

Alan

Tazling at 16/01/2013 04:21:11
Greetings.

I introduce myself with a 99+% probability of being the new owner of Swack, a Contessa 32 built by Taylor in Canada. Offer accepted, P&S signed, deposit in the mail, a few more formalities to execute and she is legally mine.

I have a couple of concerns about the boat — nothing to do with the construction and rigging which are remarkably sturdy!

One is that there’s a fitting at the top of the rudder post — looks like a stuffing box - and it has been patched at some point with a lot of epoxy or JB Weld or similar. I suspect that this is a trouble spot of some kind and am wondering if anyone can comment on this fitting and its failure modes.

I am also a bit nervous about the very specific-looking watertight plastic hatch cover in the cockpit sole. This looks like the kind of part you don’t want to damage :) and I’m wondering if they are still made and where I might obtain a spare.

If anyone knows any history/gossip about Swack I would love to know more about previous owners, etc. I am told by PO that she has been to the S Pacific and back.

Swack will be sailing coastal BC (Canada), and if there are other Contessa 32 owners out there — from Desolation Sound north — I would be pleased to meet you. My home port is Gorge Harbour, Cortes Island, BC.

Fair winds to all

de

Conte at 09/01/2013 20:49:09
……….

Conte at 09/12/2012 13:25:01

Good morning to all!

My name is Piero, I am writing from Italy (Trieste) and I have got forthy years in sailing practise. I am interested to buy a CO32 1988.

She has been built by MJ Slack Yachts, I think one of the first Sadler 32 built by this yard.

The boat seems to be built very well, the interiors are in teak of good manufacture, hull and gelcoat are in excellent codizioni (no osmosis). Has an engine of 18 hp volvo mod.2002

Well … She looks identical to one of yours!….. unfortunately she is not used by six years, and the humidity is deteriorating her, so she needs a lot of care …

May you give me any information regard the quality of the boats coming out from that yard ?

many thanks

Piero
Edited: Conte on 2012-12-09 20:59:37

thomd at 24/11/2012 19:05:30

I am currently looking to buy a Contessa 32 and one of several I have visited has many positives however I am concerned about the condition of the deck and how much it would cost me to put right.

Much of the non slip deck paint has small cracks over it (deck and on coach roof) but there are also many cracks in what appears to be the gelcoat around the base of stanchions and along the edge of the deck under the teak capping.

Photos here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0he9xjcb80f3hpz/17QrYtbeP0

Would be grateful if any forum members have encountered this issue with any of their boats? Is this a common problem? I imagine it would be expensive and time consuming to put the deck and coach roof right and wondering if it hints at an underlying issue. The deck has also considerable flex on both sides just forward of the genoa track.

Would appreciate any guidance.

Many thanks.

Hombre at 23/11/2012 15:30:30
Hi,
I live in the Costa Brava, Spain & for the past year have been looking for a 32 foot boat. Proper sailing boats are rarer than hens teeth here, most are Baverias or Bennys. The Contessa is at the top of my very short list and I am going to view one called Faniker near Alicante next week. The present owner tells me that it was built by Jeremy Rogers but having seen photos of many Contessas I am doubtful.
Built in 1983 it has a hollow wooden mast & boom. From photos I have, the engine box has a sloping front, there are no open book shelves in the saloon (three lockers with doors), the entrance through the two forward bulkheads are oval shaped, i.e.. rounded at top & bottom & the hanging locker has solid wooden doors rather than the normal roll up material. The saloon table is the narrow type with a drop leaf on each side.
Given that forewarned is forearmed, I wondered if anyone had thoughts on which yard might have fitted it out. It appears too early for MJ Slack & its not Canadian built. I didn’t think Contessas were sold for home completion.
I have found the forums very useful; there is clearly a vast amount of knowledge here which will no doubt assist me when I find my Contessa.

waratah912 at 26/09/2012 18:11:05
Hi all,

While at the Southampton Boat Show I was talking to the Solent City College folks. They have previously run a one day gel coat repair course and might do so again if sufficient interest. It would likely cost around £150. They were much keener to sell me the whole weeks course for £750 which gets you a certificate in laminating. I don’t need that – if I damage the boat that badly it’ll be a professional repair!

If you’re interested, please respond to this post and I’ll contact Solent City.

St Paddy at 06/08/2012 10:09:49
I know we must have several members who have done an Atlantic circuit.
Can we start a discussion on this subject
What was the best Autopilot.
Which sails should be taken, not all of them as space is required below.
AIS transmit as well,
Any other questions that should be discussed
I would appreciate any input in this

Aidanf at 04/07/2012 15:44:37
Hello all, what is the significance (if any) of NOT having the interconnected CO symbol/motif on the bow? Is there any particular reason why some boats don’t have it (like mine)? Thanks

ansogura at 02/06/2012 09:23:04
I have recently acquired a Contessa 32 “Western Light”. I am trying to insure her. I do a lot of my sailing single handed. I noticed an advert in Yachting Monthly from Haven Knox Johnson. Gave them all the necessary details and they said they would get back to me with a quote. They did come back to me but not with a quote. They said their underwriters declined to quote because I sail single handed. How ironic!! A company trading under the name of probably the greatest single handed sailor ever who sailed round the world can’t insure me to sail across the North Sea!!!

James Chew at 07/05/2012 22:11:53
Hi, I’ve just bout a 1970’s Contessa still with the original paint on the topsides. It’s looking a bit tired and I’d like to repaint but having never had a fibreglass boat before I have no idea how it’s usually done. Is it possible to get a decent finish painting outside by hand?

Thanks in advance

James Chew at 07/05/2012 17:15:06
Hi, I’ve just bought a Contessa, and I wonder if anyone can tell me what the sail number means? It’s K3228. Is it that it’s the 228th boat built and the three means something else? And does the K mean British?

Thanks very much

waratah912 at 04/04/2012 18:13:56
Hello all,

Does anyone have / know of a lines drawing for a CO32 from which a half model could be made?

Thanks

Paul