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David_Old_Jersey · 12-02-2012, 06:39

To be honest I think that apart from price, that $8k boat is also bit more to chew (in condition) than is ideal for a first boat.

IMO the Contessa 26 is overpriced for what it is - simply from having a name / reputation......over here there are other boats of the same capability (if not better overall), but without the premium price of a Contessa 26. I am pretty sure same will be true your side of the world as well.

FWIW one of these would be my pick over a Contessa 26:-

Archive details of Halcyon 27 - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers

But probably not so many over there!

gjordan · 12-02-2012, 22:39

The cost of installing the engine should not be anywhere near 4K , if (and this is a very big if) the engine is the same as the one that came out of the boat, or at least has the same motor mount foot print. If the engine beds need modifying ,then it might get that pricey. My brother and I lifted the old Volvo MD1 out of my Contessa without too much trouble, and I am sure it was heavier than a Faryman. Find out if the owner still has the old exhaust system and fuel tank etc? The mast step reinforcement will probably only be 2 stainless plates fitted along the top of the main bulkhead, and maybe a dozen through bolts. Not very pricey. The one place I would recommend spending the big bucks, is to get a Max Prop or similar feathering prop. It was a noticeable difference in sailing ability when I removed my prop. The lack of a sliding hatch is also an asset in that there were no leaks in the cabin. YES the boat is SMALL, but makes up for it in wonderful sailing ability.___Good Luck____Grant.

SkiprJohn · 13-02-2012, 12:08

Too much work for you if you actually want to go sailing. Find something that you can use now.

Just my opinion but there are folks who like to work on boats and not sail too much and there are folks like me who buy a fixer uppper and have to sail on other people's boats or club boats because I'm always working on my boat. Then there are the people who buy a boat in sailing condition with just a few minor issues that are easily taken care of in between sails. I'd like to be in the the 3rd option but are stuck in the second which you will be if you buy a project boat. Faryman is not the best engine.
kind regards,

dofthesea · 13-02-2012, 21:50

What SkipJohn says is true. I was so glad I bought a nearly completed boat.Although it did cost a premium. I can't tell you how many people on my doc who seems like all they do is work on their boat while I get 3-4 sails a week.

CFR · 14-02-2012, 07:53

really depends if you are fixer or sailor. i bought a nearl new Nordic Folkboat wich is 24 feet for approx 20.000 USD in 2000 sailed 7 years with it incl my wife approx 40 days a year , all weekends and 4 week summer holiday, bought a set of used sails and did als the littel maintenánce. sold it after 7 years for 20.000 USD. Folkboats are still very popular in Europe and a nice one will sell easily. I could have bought the same one for 5000 USD and fixe it, but all the money and time invested would never be paid back after some years...... sometime it is better to spent more in the beginning.

chromaticbum · 17-02-2012, 19:54

Hello everyone,

After some negotiating, I signed a contract today for the 1981 Contessa (pending survey and sea trial). I decided, as many of you pointed out, that the other Contessa was too much of a fixer-upper for me.

This is easily the largest (and scariest) purchase I have ever made in my life, but it will all be worth it when I am cruising along with (hopefully) sunshine on my head.

Now, does anyone want to go for a trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco sometime after March?

I cook a mean fettuccine carbonara and I make monstrous club sandwiches.
You say you don't eat meat? That doesn't matter, I'll be cooking up some noodly pad thai for your vegetarian stomach, along with some teryaki tofu with jasmine rice.

You don't want to buy a plane ticket back to Santa Barbara, or wherever it is in the states your coming from? I'll buy it for you, straight from San Francisco back to your city of choice. You say you live in San Francisco already? Even better, I'll buy your ticket down to Santa Barbara and we can cruise right back to your doorsteps.

You can choose the music the whole way there too. You like country? I love country, we can break it down to Red Solo Cup all the way back. More of a rock guy? Bust out the Scorpions and rock it like a hurricane. Whatever music you want, you can two-step it to polka the entire way for all I care.

I'm trying to bring crewing to a new level, crew 2.0. All I need is a good sailor to teach me the ropes along the way.

Thank you all!
- Hollin

Doodles · 17-02-2012, 20:20

Sounds like a plan! Best of luck with everything and I'm sure you will find plenty of takers for crew.

SkiprJohn · 17-02-2012, 22:05

Congratulations! They really are great sailers.
kind regards,

David_Old_Jersey · 18-02-2012, 03:26

Good Stuff!

and welcome to the (boat ownership) Club - the pain (and fun) starts here

gjordan · 18-02-2012, 16:36

Congratulations, You have just joined the ranks of people who will go to sea in little boats and enjoy it,(most of the time). The two things I would recommend before coming north are a spray dodger integral with a boom gallows and make sure your ground tackle is way over size than any of the advertisements say for anchors. Other than needing a few extra fuel filters, it should be a good educational trip. ___Best Of Luck____Grant.

bmjnyc · 06-03-2012, 14:24

Hey, I just came across you post. I bought a 1972 CO26 last year in Toronto. It cost me 22k. She had been completely rebuilt by the owner who is a master craftsmen. The entire boat was taken apart and rebuilt, recored, all deck hardware re-bedded and interior redone. I could of bought several other CO26's on the east coast for 6-15k but decided after survey to get a boat that was in great condition as I am not terribly handy and did not want to spend more time refitting then sailing. The previou owner all rewired the entire boat.

I sailed to NYC via the Erie canal which was an amazing trip. My dream is to do a solo-transatlantic one day. Co26 are beautiful boats, I get complements all the time. Her cabin is small especially as I'm 6'2, but I love the simplicity and that she has few systems for me to maintain. The the overall costs, winter storage, etc are much cheaper then say, my friends Alberg 30.

Best of luck, she is great boat. I've sailed her alone in all sorts of weather and always feel safe and comfortable...Here is the link to my boat..

1972 JJ Taylor Contessa 26 sailboat for sale in Outside United States

good luck with your new boat!

bmjnyc · 06-03-2012, 14:34

I bought this 72 Contessa 26 last year in toronto.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/20649

Sailed her down to NYC via the Eire canal. I paid a lot more then a lot of the Co26's that were on the market in my area. I wanted boat that would not give me problems right away. She was completely rebuilt by her previous owner. The survey was excellent. The surveyor told me the boat was in better condition then when it was new. This is coming from someone who has surveys a lot of Co26/JJ Taylor being based in Toronto. I love my boat. She is a bit tight inside as I am 6'2 to but that does not bother me as she s cozy and feels secure. She only has basic systems which I prefer and is relative cheaper to maintain due to her size even compared to a friends Alberg 30. She sails well and I've never felt unsafe, even in 30k last year.

Best of all she is a beautiful to look at

Good luck on your boat!

chromaticbum · 06-03-2012, 14:43

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the well wishes!

I went for the sea trial and survey this past weekend, and boy did she sail beautifully! When she was hauled out, there were many people passing by who congratulated me on making a good purchase and to admire the boat. The surveyor found no major problems with her, although I am still waiting for his final report.

If all goes well, I will be the proud owner of Freya at the end of this month! My first trip is going to be to the Channel Islands a little south of Santa Barbara, and after I equip Freya witha dodger, new gooseneck, and standing rigging, I will be taking her up the coast

dofthesea · 07-03-2012, 10:50

Chromaticbum would love to see pictures. Glad to see a very happy ending. I have been lusting after a Contessa 26 for awhile as my IF Folkboat is just a tad small.