The Contessa 26 sailboat, designed by British naval architect David Sadler, is a classic long-keel vessel constructed from fiberglass. Initially built by Jeremy Rogers Limited in Lymington, UK, production later continued with J.J. Taylor & Sons Ltd in Canada.
Keel & Rudder Configuration: Long keel with transom-hung rudder
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Length Overall: 7.77m (25'6")
Waterline Length: 6.40m (21'0")
Beam: 2.29m (7'6")
Draft: 1.22m (4'0")
Rig Type: Masthead sloop
Displacement: 2,449 kilograms (5,400 pounds)
Ballast: 1,043 kilograms (2,300 pounds)
Water Tank Capacity: Varies, often around 45 litres (12 gallons)
Fuel Tank Capacity: Varies, often around 25 litres (6.6 gallons)
Hull Speed: Approximately 6.3 knots
Designer: David Sadler
Builder: Jeremy Rogers Limited (UK), later J.J. Taylor & Sons Ltd. (Canada)
Year First Built: 1966
Year Last Built: 1990
Number Built: Approximately 750
When production moved to J.J. Taylor & Sons Ltd. in Canada, some minor modifications were made to the original design, although the core specifications remained largely the same.
Sail Area (100%): 21.65 m² (232 ft²)
Mainsail Area: 9.48 m² (102 ft²)
Foresail Area: 12.12 m² (130 ft²)
Rig Dimensions:
I: 8.84m (29'0")
J: 2.74m (9'0")
P: 7.32m (24'0")
E: 2.59m (8'6").
The following analysis of the primary design ratios gives an indication of the boat's likely sailing characteristics, but see the 'Notes of Caution' that follow below:
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 12.2
Performance Capability: This ratio of 12.2 indicates that the Contessa 26 is underpowered. It would not be considered a fast boat and is likely more suited to leisurely sailing rather than high-performance or racing.
Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 42.6
Stiffness and Power: With a ballast/displacement ratio of 42.6, the Contessa 26 is a stiff and relatively powerful boat. This means it will handle wind pressure well and is likely to stand up to the wind without excessive heeling.
Displacement/Length Ratio: 301
Hull Speed and Handling: The displacement/length ratio of 301 categorizes the Contessa 26 as a heavy displacement boat. This means it will require more sail area to reach its hull speed, and it will likely have a steady, albeit slower, movement through the water.
Comfort Ratio: 26.3
Motion Comfort: With a comfort ratio of 26.3, the Contessa 26 has a somewhat lively motion typical of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability. It would be reasonably comfortable for coastal cruising, but might feel a bit lively or less stable in rougher sea conditions encountered during bluewater sailing.
Capsize Screening Formula: 1.71
Capsize Risk: A capsize screening value of 1.71 is quite good, indicating that the Contessa 26 is well-suited for ocean passages. It has low vulnerability to capsizing, making it a safe choice for bluewater sailing.
Summary
Overall, the Contessa 26 is a stiff, heavy displacement sailboat that might be slightly underpowered but safe and comfortable for coastal cruising. Its high ballast ratio ensures it handles wind well, and its low capsize screening value makes it a reliable choice for bluewater sailing, despite a comfort ratio indicating a somewhat lively motion.
Here's how to calculate the KPIs yourself - without having to wrestle with the mathematics...
Design Ratios: Notes of Caution...
General Limitations
In summary, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.
The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.
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