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flinny · 22-01-2021, 12:08

Hey All

I'm new to the forum and new to sailing.
spent about three month researching sail boats before i decided to put an offer in on a Contessa 32 (it's a little earlier than i planned as wanted some sailing classes first but covid is driving me mad so i thought let's just do this)

also a lurker here, and didn't want to post until i decided to take a plunge to avoid ending up in the broken dreams, didn't happen thread.

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1...sa-32-3732543/

I've got a viewing on Saturday, 30th and it looks like my offer may be accepted.

This boat was recently refitted by a boat yard in wales, prior to the current owner purchasing it in 2017 and getting it delivered:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX6pAKejpBg

https://www.brittanysailing.com/sing...go-ii-delivery

It has new standing rigging (2016)
New running rigging (2016)
Mast replaced in (2006)
full interior rebursh in 2016
basic electronics pack 2016

the engine is original
as are the water and fuel tanks i believe but that these are yet to be confirmed.

obviously the purchase is subject to survey, haulout and sea trail.
i just wondered what you guys think at 25k

and anything i should be looking out for, any advice would be great. whether you think it priced fairly etc

cheers

**Pete7** · 22-01-2021, 13:28

Its nice, but I think expensive for £25k. That said there is a shortage of yachts on the market at the moment as folk choose yachts, caravans and motorhomes over foreign holidays.

Couple of questions if you don't mind.

What are you going to use this yacht for?

How many people on board?

Have you been on board a Contessa 32?

What other similar sized and priced yachts have you considered?

Pete

flinny · 22-01-2021, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Its nice, but I think expensive for £25k. That said there is a shortage of yachts on the market at the moment as folk choose yachts, caravans and motorhomes over foreign holidays.

Couple of questions if you don't mind.

What are you going to use this yacht for?

How many people on board?

Have you been on board a Contessa 32?

What other similar sized and priced yachts have you considered?

Pete

thanks for reply Pete

Plan is to learn to sail, on a boat that i can resell for same money i paid for it, there or there abouts. Which has a good safety record and is fun to sail.

was suppose to be doing my crew skills cert already, but that is now on hold with RYA until march, re-covid.

i've looked at more full time live aboards:

hans christian 33
carbo rico 38
tashiba 37

but they are inaccessible, either in America or Thailand... plus i need to walk before i can run.

only me on board, i'm single, which i why i can afford one

not been on contessa, until next sat, jan 30th, although i've read they're cramped...

not really interested in any similar size as none of them seem to touch me, although i am aware of similar boats, which are alot more attractive and "sail away" ready re-value for money

Westerly Fulmar Used Boat for Sale 1986 | TheYachtMarket

Want to build up my sail experience, and get away to do some chartering in next 18 month is long range plan, in meatime want something i can throw around in the north sea...

**Pete7** · 22-01-2021, 14:03

Ok, thanks for the additional detail.

You need to go on board and spend some time on board too, not just a quick viewing. Do lie down on the berths to check the lengths. Do consider the position of the loo if you have a gf stay for the night.

I have sailed a Joint Services C32 with a group of lads and it was a squeeze we became good friends really quickly. However, you might be okay single or you and a friend or two. However, that cramped interior will make selling it for the same price in a couple of years difficult, because it won't suite many buyers.

If you plan to live on board you will need a full canopy in the UK. £2.5k to £4k on the South Coast.

Also check the marina costs and rules about living on board if you plan on this.

Consider looking at the other C32s for sale at the moment. The one in Essex has a newish engine which is a big expense. An offer of £17k and it might be my preferred choice.

Now, I hear what you said about other choices and I would agree and discount those three. However, have a look at this. Similar to the C32 just much bigger inside so less "cabin fever" feeling if its wet and horrible outside. Similar locations too, view both perhaps?

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/si...or-sale/646339

At the end of the day though, both will be way more fun to sail over your other choices

**boatman61** · 22-01-2021, 14:06

The video says they're asking 49.5K... a 50% drop is quite something.
Although to be honest there's other boats out there that I'd choose above the Contessa at the price your talking..
But if it pushes your buttons..

flinny · 22-01-2021, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

The video says they're asking 49.5K... a 50% drop is quite something.
Although to be honest there's other boats out there that I'd choose above the Contessa at the price your talking..
But if it pushes your buttons..

that was the price, advertised before the current owner on yatch world bought it three years ago...

it's up for sale now for 30k

flinny · 22-01-2021, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Ok, thanks for the additional detail.

You need to go on board and spend some time on board too, not just a quick viewing. Do lie down on the berths to check the lengths. Do consider the position of the loo if you have a gf stay for the night.

I have sailed a Joint Services C32 with a group of lads and it was a squeeze we became good friends really quickly. However, you might be okay single or you and a friend or two. However, that cramped interior will make selling it for the same price in a couple of years difficult, because it won't suite many buyers.

If you plan to live on board you will need a full canopy in the UK. £2.5k to £4k on the South Coast.

Also check the marina costs and rules about living on board if you plan on this.

Consider looking at the other C32s for sale at the moment. The one in Essex has a newish engine which is a big expense. An offer of £17k and it might be my preferred choice.

Now, I hear what you said about other choices and I would agree and discount those three. However, have a look at this. Similar to the C32 just much bigger inside so less "cabin fever" feeling if its wet and horrible outside. Similar locations too, view both perhaps?

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/si...or-sale/646339

At the end of the day though, both will be way more fun to sail over your other choices

thanks for the heads up...
not really a fan of bolt on keels, the very lest i would be happy with on a monohull is fin and skeg. but the boat looks nice.

when you say full canaopy, do you mean cockpit enclosure...

the other contessa you mentioned with the newer engine needs new mast and standing rigging, which probably means a new main sail as well which is also a 10k spend, wouldn't you agree

where as the one i'm viewing might just need a new engine, which is a 9k spend and will then give me attrctive resale value

also has this:
For Sale: Tigo II - Contessa 32 (firmhelm.com)
Fully Re sprayed Topsides, Decks and Cabintops.
New Standing Rigging
New Running Rigging
New Windows + Hatches
Fully Rewired + New Instruments
New Solid Teak Cockpit
Internally Fully Refurbished
All new Deck gear including Winches
New Upholstery
New Toilet
New Cooker

what are your thoughts

thanks

flinny · 22-01-2021, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

The video says they're asking 49.5K... a 50% drop is quite something.
Although to be honest there's other boats out there that I'd choose above the Contessa at the price your talking..
But if it pushes your buttons..

Hey thanks for reply...

which boats would you choose, i'll check them out :P

**Pete7** · 22-01-2021, 16:01

Hear what you say about bolt on fin keels, but the vast majority of European yachts are just that, bolt on keels and there isn't a problem. What's more they will give you the fun factor when out sailing and be easy to park in a marina with a novice crew. Yep a cockpit closure is invaluable in the UK winter as it makes an extra room for wet stuff and enables some ventilation without the rain coming in. What ever you choose will be your home, so whilst we could recommend something to sail round the Southern Ocean with, you want something nice to live aboard, in budget and easy to handle.

Difficult to recommend something to live on, easy to sell in the future and not loose a packet. However, try these two.:

The etap is foam filled for floatation but also counts towards insulation, useful in the winter. Quite smart to:

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/et...or-sale/563149

Or the Hanse. https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/ha...or-sale/640283

Again nice inside, which counts when selling.

Pete

**Pete7** · 22-01-2021, 16:16

Bottom line I think is you need to view a few yachts before making the final decision and it might be that the C32 is your preferred choice after considering other options. If so that's great

Pete

LittleWing77 · 22-01-2021, 16:45

Have you ever steered a boat with a tiller, not a wheel...?

**boatman61** · 22-01-2021, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by flinny

Hey thanks for reply...

which boats would you choose, i'll check them out :P

https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/649741

https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/643183

https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/653753

From the same drawing board as the Contessa...
https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/655288

This is my taste and all more or less ready to go..

**Pete7** · 23-01-2021, 03:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Have you ever steered a boat with a tiller, not a wheel...?

I think your question is aimed at Finny, but my experience, the novelty did wear off after an hour. The good news was a tiller pilot came with the charter boat. The bad news was the wiring to the deck socket was corroded and knackered. Ho hum, back to hand steering and swopping with the crew every hour.

Pete

flinny · 23-01-2021, 04:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Have you ever steered a boat with a tiller, not a wheel...?

no, i was suppose to be starting lessons in Jan, this is now pushed back to march re-covid

plan eas to buy it, pull it out of the water, replace engine, anti-fowl it, hydrovane it and buy a tiller piolot ready for re-launch sometime in late march