Cruising

The only limit is time. Contessa sailors have headed South around Cape Horn, West across the Atlantic, and North to the Arctic. The boat will get you there.

Cruising Fleet members will regale you ( given less than half a chance ) with tales of their trips to Brittany, the Channel Islands, and beyond. These journeys are now almost routine every summer as Contessa sailors head out to sea on their own or 'in company'. And, given the spirit of the Class Association, you will be in good company should you choose to join one of their regular journeys to all points of the compass or meet up for a weekend's more leisurely potter.

The boat is ideal for such activity. It has a simple sail-plan that one person, at a pinch, and easily two can handle. There's little that will break. It's safe and incredibly stable, and won't alarm the novice or child. Given the forgiving and well-behaved nature of the Contessa, it is arguably the ideal family-boat.

Rally to the Folly (photo by John)

There may be no shower or hot water on a Contessa, but hey, you're amongst friends or family. What really counts is the feeling when you tie up in a small Breton village, or a large Spanish marina, especially when an admiring local wanders over, compliments you on your boat, and raises a glass to her graceful lines. That happens a lot.

The Class Association organise a number of Cruising Rallies within the Solent (or slightly further afield) each year. The rallies are open to all members and participants can attend by sea or by land. The schedule is published in early Spring (in the calendar section) and more details can be obtained by getting in touch with the Cruising Captain at: cruising@co32.org

Last updated 15:23 on 2 November 2026