Contessa Yachts: Built to Brave the Seas

The name Contessa has, for decades, resonated deeply within the sailing community. It's a byword for robust construction, elegant lines, and exceptional seaworthiness. 

Contessa 32Contessa 32

Whether you're talking intrepid circumnavigators or competitive club racers, Contessa yachts have cultivated a fiercely loyal following. This is a clear testament to their proven design and build quality.

The Contessa Yachts Journey

The Contessa story kicked off in 1966 when Jeremy Rogers established his boatbuilding venture in Lymington, England. Rogers, himself steeped in the traditions of wooden boatbuilding, harbored a vision: to craft top-tier, capable yachts using the then-nascent material of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). His initial drive was simple — produce truly seaworthy vessels that melded classic aesthetics with contemporary construction.

The company's journey included several pivotal moments, notably in the 1970s with the debut of the wildly successful Contessa 32. While Jeremy Rogers Ltd. was the primary builder, some models were also licensed for construction in Canada by J.J. Taylor and Sons Ltd. Fast forward to 2012, Jeremy Rogers passed the torch to his son Kit and his wife Jessie. Today, Jeremy Rogers Ltd. is still at it, building and refurbishing Contessa yachts, mostly the Contessa 32. Production numbers are now a bit more modest, with each new build essentially a custom affair. The company's core philosophy remains firmly rooted in traditional craftsmanship, putting quality, durability, and a profound understanding of what truly makes a boat seaworthy above all else.

Contessa 26Contessa 26

Design & Iconic Models

Contessa yachts are recognized for their timeless lines, often featuring a deeper, more traditional hull shape. This emphasis on form directly translates to seaworthiness and comfort, even in rough conditions. A few key naval architects are strongly linked to their designs. For instance, the iconic Contessa 26 and Contessa 32 were collaborative efforts with David Sadler. Later models, such as the Contessa 28 and Contessa 35, saw the expertise of Doug Peterson come into play.

Signature Design Elements: You can often spot a Contessa by its narrower beam, deep bilges, and typically long or fin keels paired with skeg-mounted rudders. These features are key to their excellent tracking and ability to handle well at sea. Deck layouts are generally uncluttered and practical, putting a premium on safe movement when offshore. Inside, expect traditional joinery and a functional, if occasionally snug, arrangement.

The Contessa range has definitely evolved in its design, though it has largely stuck to its foundational principles. Early models, like the Contessa 26, featured a long keel, which provided exceptional directional stability. Subsequent designs, such as the Contessa 32 and 35, shifted towards a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, enhancing maneuverability while still retaining their robust offshore capabilities.

Notable Models:

  • Contessa 26: This model, launched in 1966, was actually a modified version of the Nordic Folkboat, reimagined for GRP construction. She's a masthead sloop with a long keel and hull-mounted rudder. Don't let her size fool you; the Contessa 26 built an impressive reputation as an ocean-going vessel, even chosen by single-handed circumnavigators like Tania Aebi and Brian Caldwell. Her narrow beam and low coachroof contribute to a strong structure, though the interior space is, admittedly, quite compact.
  • Contessa 28: Introduced in 1977, the Contessa 28 was a Doug Peterson design. While still a very capable cruiser, she came with a fin keel and spade rudder, offering a noticeable bump in performance and maneuverability compared to the 26. Her interior, while still classic in feel, surprisingly offered more headroom and a more generous beam than her smaller siblings.
  • Contessa 32: This is arguably the most celebrated and impactful model. Designed by David Sadler in collaboration with Jeremy Rogers, it hit the water in 1971. This masthead sloop sports an elegant fin-and-skeg keel setup. The Contessa 32's reputation for extraordinary seaworthiness was indelibly marked during the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race. A Contessa 32 was the only yacht in its class to complete the race, a true testament to its mettle. This particular model skillfully blends excellent sailing performance with robust construction, making it a highly desirable cruiser-racer. Remarkably, new Contessa 32s are still being built today, mostly to the original specs but with modern amenities and customization options.
  • Contessa 35: Also a Doug Peterson design, the Contessa 35 arrived in 1974, following in the successful wake of the 32. This model features a fin keel with a spade rudder, reflecting a shift towards higher performance while still keeping its blue-water chops. Originally conceived as a One Ton Cup racer, cruising versions soon followed. She certainly offers more interior volume than her smaller predecessors.
Contessa 28Contessa 28

Built to Last: Contessa Construction

Contessa yachts are predominantly built from GRP (fiberglass). The builder really emphasizes the use of high-quality polyester resins and Lloyds approved materials. A crucial aspect of their build process involves applying an isophthalic polyester resin as a skin coat behind the gelcoat. This helps prevent water penetration, a key factor in the boat's well-known resistance to osmosis. Hulls and decks are typically solid and stoutly constructed, often with thicker lay-ups than strictly necessary, especially in earlier models. This contributes significantly to their exceptional longevity.

The build quality of Contessa yachts consistently draws praise for its durability and sheer strength. The company's unwavering dedication to a meticulously planned laminating schedule — which hasn't even changed for new builds of the Contessa 32 — ensures that even older boats can surprisingly hold their own against much newer designs. This steadfast focus on structural integrity is the bedrock of their seaworthiness reputation.

Contessa 35 under sailContessa 35

Sailing & Living Aboard

Contessa sailboats generally garner high marks for their outstanding sailing performance and seakindliness. Sailors often describe them as stable, stiff, and remarkably weatherly, capable of handling challenging conditions with impressive composure. While not designed to be outright speed demons by today's standards, they offer a very rewarding sailing experience and a comfortable motion, especially offshore.

Their strong blue-water capability is perhaps their defining characteristic. The deep cockpits, robust rigs, and well-designed hull forms instill a profound sense of security, making extended long-distance cruising quite comfortable. It's no small feat that many Contessa owners embark on extensive offshore passages and even circumnavigations, a clear testament to these boats' innate suitability for epic voyages.

Inside, the overall aesthetic leans towards traditional and practical. Interiors often showcase warm wood joinery, creating a cozy and welcoming ambiance. While some older models, notably the Contessa 26 and 32, are known for their more compact interiors and limited standing headroom, many see this as a worthwhile trade-off for their robust offshore capabilities and the structural integrity it provides. Layouts are usually designed for efficient use of space, with an emphasis on functional galleys and practical navigation areas. Interestingly, the Contessa 28 is particularly noted for its surprisingly spacious interior for its length.

Thinking of Buying? What to Know

Considering a used Contessa sailboat? Their reputation for rock-solid construction means that well-maintained examples can be an excellent investment. Keep an eye out for signs of consistent maintenance and upgrades to crucial systems like engines, rigging, and electronics, as these will likely be older on vintage boats. Hull integrity is generally superb, though a pre-purchase survey is always a wise move to check for any localized issues or osmosis (though the latter is less common due to their original build methods).

Across the series, you'll consistently find robust construction, strong performance in a seaway, and a more traditional interior style. Owners frequently commend their ability to track well, making them ideal for offshore passages and for use with self-steering systems. While the interior volume might not rival some more contemporary designs of similar length, the quality of joinery and the overall finish usually more than make up for it.

Contessa Today: Reputation & Community

The Contessa brand holds a truly revered and strong standing within the sailing community. Their typical customer often seeks proven offshore capability, classic aesthetics, and a boat renowned for its lasting quality. The brand itself enjoys an outstanding reputation for seaworthiness, reliability, and has achieved an almost iconic status in certain sailing circles, especially the Contessa 32.

Contessa sailboats tend to hold their value remarkably well on the used market, which is a clear indicator of their desirability and sustained quality. You'll also find active and friendly owner's associations for various Contessa models, such as the Contessa 26 Class Association and the Contessa 32 Class Association. These groups often organize regattas and provide a strong, supportive community for owners.

Contessa's contribution to sailboat design and construction is significant, setting a high bar for seaworthiness and quality. They perfectly embody a philosophy where solid construction and capable sailing performance take precedence over maximizing interior volume or chasing lightweight racing metrics. For many sailors, a Contessa represents the quintessential capable cruiser — a boat that promises to look after its crew through almost anything the sea can throw its way.

Considerations Before You Buy

While mostly lauded, Contessa yachts do have a few points that commonly come up in discussion. As with many older designs, the interior space, particularly headroom and beam, can feel a bit constrained when compared to more modern, volume-focused designs. This is particularly true for the Contessa 26 and 32. Some might also find the long-keel models (like the 26) to be less nimble in tight marina maneuvering compared to fin-keelers, though their excellent tracking more than compensates offshore. Furthermore, older boats will, of course, necessitate ongoing maintenance and potential upgrades to their systems, just like any classic yacht. A few early models might have also had somewhat smaller fuel and water tank capacities.

Legends of the Sea: Contessa Stories

The Contessa story is rich with tales of high-seas adventure. As noted earlier, the Contessa 26 carved out a special place in the annals of solo circumnavigation, with Tania Aebi completing her round-the-world voyage as the youngest person at the time aboard her Contessa 26, Varuna.

Another legendary story involves the Contessa 32's performance during the 1979 Fastnet Race. In what proved to be one of the most tragic offshore races in history, a brutal storm claimed lives and severely damaged or sank numerous boats. Yet, a Contessa 32 emerged as the sole small boat class finisher, solidifying its reputation for extreme seaworthiness and structural integrity. This event profoundly shaped how the Contessa 32's blue-water capabilities were perceived.

Willie Ker's Contessa 32 Assent is also quite famous for its high-latitude and blue-water cruising exploits. And let's not forget Erik Aaneraa, who made the Contessa 35 famous through his intrepid voyages.

Deep Dive: Other Leading Cruising Yacht Brands

Sources & References

  1. "All about Contessa - Jeremy Rogers." Jeremy Rogers, https://www.jeremyrogers.co.uk/all-about-contessa/
  2. "Contessa 32 Inshore Series Regatta 3 at Hamble River Sailing Club." Yachts and Yachting, https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/287462/Contessa-32-Inshore-Series-Regatta-3-at-Hamble
  3. "Contessa 32: Nigel Sharp on this cruiser-racer's history and future - Classic Boat Magazine." Classic Boat Magazine, https://www.classicboat.co.uk/articles/contessa-32-nigel-sharp-on-this-cruiser-racers-history-and-future/
  4. "Contessa 26 - Wikipedia." Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contessa_26
  5. "Contessa 32 Specification - Yacht Builders - Jeremy Rogers." Jeremy Rogers, https://www.jeremyrogers.co.uk/contessa32-specification/
  6. "Meow, a supercharged Contessa 26 - Yachting World." Yachting World, https://www.yachtingworld.com/yachts-and-gear/meow-a-supercharged-contessa-26-with-3di-sails-and-seriously-tweaked-rig-and-gear-66580
  7. "Contessa 32 – Yachting Monthly review." Yachting Monthly, https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/reviews/yacht-reviews/contessa-32-yachting-monthly-review
  8. "Contessa 26 - Jeremy Rogers Ltd." Jeremy Rogers, https://www.jeremyrogers.co.uk/contessa-26/


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