Contessa 32 1990

Introducing METEOR, a remarkable sailing vessel that has undergone extensive upgrades—featuring new standing and running rigging, updated mast wiring and lighting, a fresh main sail, newly serviced engine, comfortable interior cushions, a brand new battery charger, and new batteries. This boat also includes a sailing dinghy with sails. Designed by David Sadler and built by J.J. Taylor in Canada to Lloyds Standards, the Contessa 32 is a renowned Blue Water Cruiser, perfectly equipped for offshore adventures or leisurely outings across the bay. The Contessa 32 is revered as a modern classic and serves as the benchmark for seaworthy cruising yachts. These graceful vessels are known for being fast, comfortable, and exceptionally reliable at sea. Notably, the Contessa 32 gained fame during the grueling 1972 OSTAR (Observer Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race), where 'Assent,' a Contessa 32, impressively finished 4th overall, outperforming larger and more powerful boats. Many Contessa 32s completed the race, solidifying the boat's reputation for exceptional seaworthiness and resilience. This yacht is a textbook example of a 'proper little ocean boat,' showcasing a long keel, moderate displacement, narrow beam by today's standards, and a robust fiberglass construction. It offers a gentle motion at sea and excellent tracking in challenging weather. At a time when lighter, racier designs were favored, the Contessa 32 highlighted the importance of balance, strength, and seaworthiness over sheer speed. Before the Contessa 32, many sailors believed that only larger yachts could safely cross oceans. This yacht changed that perception, demonstrating that a well-designed 32-footer could endure storms and bring its crew home safely, influencing decades of offshore yacht design. With hundreds built, the Contessa 32 has proven to be a long-lived classic, with many still sailing today—some having completed multiple ocean crossings. They have built a reputation for outlasting their owners, and surveyors, sailors, and designers alike often regard the Contessa 32 as the gold standard for small offshore cruisers. The Contessa 32 is not just a nostalgic choice; it is respected for its real-world performance in challenging conditions. Its legacy is intertwined with the evolution of modern offshore cruising, establishing the viability of small, tough ocean boats and shifting the focus toward valuing seaworthiness over marketing hype. In essence, the Contessa 32 is historically significant for proving that a small, well-designed yacht can be a serious contender on the open ocean, shaping the expectations of sailors for offshore vessels today. It is celebrated as part of the 'bulletproof cruiser' family.

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