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Contessa 33

Brief details

Builder

Jeremy Rogers

Intended specifically as a more modern replacement for the famous Contessa 32, the Rob Humphreys designed Contessa 33 has turned out to be one of the most successful cruiser-racers of her time. She offers an excellent combination of speed and comfort. Virtually the only problem with these boats is that most have been raced extensively, and will have thus had a fairly hard life.

LOA

32' 8"

Sail area

652 sq ft main and genoa

LWL

25' 5"

Rig

sloop

Beam

11' 1"

Cabins

2

Draught

5' 10"

Berths

8

Displacement

8,988 lbs

Engine

Volvo 2002 diesel

Ballast

not known

BHP

18

Keel type

Lead/antimony fin keel with balanced spade rudder

The interior was designed by Conran Associates, and is fitted out in American ash, giving a very light feel to the interior. Construction is conventional GRP under the waterline, with balsa sandwich above the waterline, plus some kevlar reinforcement in the topsides at the bow. The deck is also balsa-cored, with a moulded internal headlining moulding.

Below: The heads compartment has the marine WC facing forward, to port of the keel-stepped mast, and separated from the mast by a partial bulkhead

The saloon has two settee berths, with two pilot berths above

The galley is to starboard, and has sink, gimballed cooker, and a fairly large coolbox. The coolbox top forms the main work surface, however, and this is under the cockpit coamings aft, hence a litlle cramped. This is just about the only feature of the boat that attracted any adverse comments in contemporary reviews, which were otherwise very favourable - words included ".... sails like a dream".

P

The engine is a Volvo 2002, driving a fixed three bladed prop via a conventional sternshaft with P-bracket