As a cruiser you won't find a safer boat. A friend hit a 30ft whale with his and barely crazed the gel coat. They take on rocks pretty well too. Good luck trying to put a hole in one. Stable in any weather. As far as I know there has never been a lost mast recorded. Takes you out and brings you back. Built to Lloyd's standards.
From the builders.."The hulls were constructed in two halves, with the gelcoat and a layer of 1.5 oz. mat. Above the waterline we used three layers of 18.5 oz. Fabmat. Below the waterline we added an additional layer of 18.5 oz. Fabmat, followed by another two layers at the keel, with five layers of the same mat added at the chainplates for the shrouds and backstay. Next, the entire laminate schedule was covered with another layer of 1.5 oz. mat. Lastly the two halves of the hull were joined with another five layers of mat." It's hard to believe the amount of fibreglass that went into these boats.
As a racer the Contessa 26 can beat anything in a blow. Your club members will hate the huge handicap you'll have but PRHF rules favour this boat. Not great around the buoys but excellent for distance races or around islands. Not first over the line but a constant winner.
As a classic it's a beautiful boat with lovely lines to turn heads. Easily recognised and admired everywhere. How many modern boats can say that?
Why would you buy anything else? OK the accomodation is not great but it's still better than on many boats.
With a strong international owners club these boats are tremendous value for money and just great fun to own.
A great little sea-going boat that will not only take you anywhere but bring you back too. It's an ideal cruiser for 2 people, any more is crowded. The original should be re-engined with either a Yanmar or a Beta for reliability. Downsides are headroom and getting at the storage spaces ... but it is really nice to be able to be in your quarter berth and make coffee without having to move. At less than $10k you can have a fast (6.7 knots) rugged true blue water cruiser that will beat the pants off any comfy boat designed for marina bound weekenders.
The history is odd. The Contessa 26 is probably one of the few boats that was built and then the drawings were made later. The designers were Jeremy Rogers AND David Sadler.
Brilliant if quirky boat. Crowded with 4, comfy with 2, small enough for 1 yet large enough to go anywhere. Second hand a lot of solid boat for the money. Bought for £9500 two years ago. Have put in GPS, Windpilot (expensive but worth every penny). So far done c.3000 miles.
Nice and compact cosy cruiser that will basically take you where you want to go. Some getting a little old now but generally excellent value for money especially if the topsides have been repainted professionally, the sails are new and is has a Yanmar 1GM10.
Watch out for leaking hull/deck joint and compression problems associated with the main mast strut support.
Superb performer off the wind. Does not normally like to punch into anything too choppy.
Forerunner to the Contessa 32, this boat offers good sailing performance and safely. Makes a good family cruiser with accomodation for up to four people, albeit with limited headroom. Some real second hand bargains around, making this a good entry into the cruising game.
Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed November 2002.
Performance
Safety
Accomodation
Overall Value for Money
this boat will look after you in quite nasty conditions. you will be bloody wet, but safe. she loves to race the thin tupperware in a stiff breeze. I LOVED OURS WHEN WE OWNED ONE!
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed September 2000.
Performance
Safety
Accomodation
Overall Value for Money
1970 CONTESSA 26 "ASKEW" HULL # 049
Very Good boat for person looking for ocean capable boat on budget, tends to sail at high angles of heel,headroom is lacking , but boat will handle almost any conditions that you may encounter, Compression problem can be solved easily by adding laminated beam under mast step.Comfortable for two people, berths for four.
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed July 2000.
Performance
Safety
Accomodation
Overall Value for Money
JJ Taylor (Canadian bilt 1985) hull # 325 Perfect boat for blue H2O. 2 Atlantic crossings,west/east coast sailing, Bahamas, Bermuda and after 15 years looks like new.
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed June 2000.
Performance
Safety
Accomodation
Overall Value for Money
sails very well.ideal for two people.now classed as a classic boat.very easy to work on but need lots of tlc.
Never owned
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