I'd Be Interested in Hearing About a Contessa / JJ Taylor 26

[austi012]

Those seem like mighty interesting boats. Does anybody here have one? What are their sailing characteristics? Any design flaws?

thanks

[roverhi]

When we were out, there was a couple in their early 20's in a Contessa 26. They really liked the boat for the money. They made reasonable passage times despite its short water line length and it sailed very well on all points of sail . They were really high on the sailing qualities of the boat. Construction was very strong and shouldn't be a worry for offshore work.

Still, it was small. No standing headroom at or above average height for a male. Seem to remember the head was opposite the galley with a hatch overhead. Could tell whether Grant was cooking or --, by the way his head, sticking out of the hatch, was facing.

They lived aboard for a while before sailing from SF to French Polynesia and back. Sold the boat after that cruise and moved up to a larger steel boat. They found it just too small for a couple on a long cruise.

Aloha
Peter O.

[Talbot]

Contessa. A very good design - both the 26 and the 33, as a sailing boat that is very bad weather capable , and as a fast cruiser. - however, the space inside is the area that was compromised. dont expect a large living compartment like todays plastic offerings. IMHO it is a larger brother to the very successful and very safe folkboats - great for sailing, but perhaps not so wonderful as a liveaboard.

[mbaba]

Not sure if you still need any input, however you can't go wrong with Contessa. The best boat I ever had. Easy maintanance, off shor sailing, great handling.

[jpk46]

I have been living on y Contessa 26 in toronto for Two and a half years now - winters included - and have sailed her over 1500 nautical miles in this time. Everyone who has sailed in rough conditions on the lakes knows that the wave periods are shorter and steeper.

Last summer, as we caught the edge of Hurricane Igor (I think it was) I was in the centre (literally) of Lake Ontario. I sailed for 8 hours in waves that increased in size to over 4 metres and, while taking a considerable soaking (a "wet" boat is the Contessa!) I never once felt any danger. The Contessa is a notoriously seaworthy little boat and while you have to endure a cramped cabin, the confidence that comes from sailing one goes a long way.

For the price, it's a rgeat little boat!

[SkiprJohn]

The Folkboats are nearly the same. Great performers but cramped interiors.
kind regards,

[boatman61]

They've covered it all.... Contessa's Rock....

[blgklr]

The Taylor is the Canadian built version' some people prefer it.

[JordanH]

jpk46 ... wow! 2.5 years in a Contessa in Toronto?? I'm impressed. Where are you located and how do you manage the winter? How do you find it in our light winds of summer?

We are in the process of buying a Contessa 26 #312 (all done except for the final sea trial) and will hopefully have it back in Toronto after a great lakes sail this summer. Hope to see you out on the water.

If I can ask a specific question, I'll be sailing Lake Huron / Georgian Bay and back down through Erie and across Lake Ontario. For purposes of route planning, what would you use for an hourly rate under mostly sail? 5 knots? 4 knots?

(Did anyone else notice this thread was started in 2005? We're a little late to the party.)

[scook1]

I am pretty sure that a very new member Suniday, sails a Contessa 26. Why not ask him?

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post685534

Spencer

[Cheechako]

Had a Contessa 26. Pretty little boat on the water for sure. Real wet ride, but well built. Old school folkboat design. You need to like getting wet and sailing at a severe heel...these boats get "in the groove" well heeled over. They have low freeboard, so take on water too. Having said that, depends on how much of an adventurer you are...they have been sailed around the world.

[roverhi]

"You need to like getting wet and sailing at a severe heel...these boats get "in the groove" well heeled over."

Interesting!!! There was a couple sailing a Contessa 26 when we were cruising. They delivered an Ingrid from the Marquesas to Tahiti when the owner was injured. Their comment about the Ingrid was it was way more tender than their Contessa and sailed at a much greater angle of heel. Guess heeling angles are a bit subjective.

[Cheechako]

Not sure I would call the Folkboat/Contessa tender. It's just a narrow design that is meant to heel...and then it's rock solid once "in the groove". Typical of older 45-50% ballast designs that get their stability from ballast rather the hull bouancy at the beam.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Quite a few folkboat derivatives were built - not all as pricey as the Contessa 26. Although I've never sailed one have always preffered the look of the Invicta. and cheaper too.

Invicta 26 archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales

[S/V Alchemy]

Don't forget the Contessa 32, in my view an equally safe (and faster) boat of proven design, if not as famous as the 26.

Contessa 32 Specifications | About Contessa Yachts | Jeremy Rogers Ltd