The Contessa 32 Sailboat

The Contessa 32 is a classic and well-regarded sailboat designed by David Sadler and manufactured by Jeremy Rogers Ltd. in the United Kingdom. First built in 1971, this sturdy and elegant vessel has seen over 700 units produced, with the last model being built as recently as 2023.

The Contessa 32 is renowned for its seakeeping qualities.
The boat was also built in Canada by J J Taylor & Sons.

Published Specification for the Contessa 32

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Fin and Skeg
Hull Material: Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Overall: 9.8 m (32' 0")*
Waterline Length: 7.3 m (24' 0")*
Beam: 2.9 m (9' 6")*
Draft: 1.7 m (5' 6")*
Rig Type: Masthead Sloop
Displacement: 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs)*
Ballast: 2,041 kg (Lead) (4,500 lbs (Lead)* )
Sail Area: 52.2 m² (562ft²)*
Water Tank Capacity: 200 L (44 gal)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 200 L (44 gal)
Hull Speed: 6.8 knots
Designer: David Sadler
Builder: Jeremy Rogers Ltd., Macbar Marine, J.J. Taylor & Sons Ltd.
Year First Built: 1971
Year Last Built: 2023
Number Built: Over 700

* Used to derive the design ratios referred to later in this article - here's how they're calculated...

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Where:

“I” is measured along the front of mast from the highest halyard to the main deck. The main deck is where the deck would be if there were no deckhouse.
“J” is the base of the foretriangle measured along the deck from the headstay to the mast.
“P” is the luff length of the main-sail, measured along the aft face of the mast from the top of the boom to the highest point that the mainsail can be hoisted.
“E” is the foot length of the main-sail, measured along the boom from the after face of the mast to the outermost point on the boom to which the main can be pulled.

Sail Area:

Main Sail Area: Approximately 24.4 m² (262ft²)
Foretriangle (Genoa) Sail Area: Approximately 27.8 m² (300ft²)

Together, the total sail area is about 52.2 m² (562ft²).

Rig Dimensions:

I: 11.3 m (37' 1")
J: 3.35 m (11' 0")
P: 9.75 m (32' 0")
E: 3.3 m (10' 10")

Published Design Ratios
The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.7
Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 47.4%
Displacement/Length Ratio: 321
Comfort Ratio: 27.5
Capsize Screening Formula: 1.81

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The above design ratios are fairly typical for a heavy displacement sloop of this type and can be interpreted to provide an indication of such a vessel's likely sailing characteristics - however they have their limitations:

The design ratios are static measurements which don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.

They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.

The context in which the boat is intended to be used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

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.

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: At 16.7, the Contessa 32 falls into the category of reasonably good performance. This ratio indicates that the boat has enough sail area to perform well in a variety of wind conditions without being overpowered.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: With a ratio of 47.4%, the Contessa 32 is considered a stiff and powerful boat. This high ballast ratio means the boat can stand up well to the wind, providing stability and control in rough conditions.

Displacement/Length Ratio: At 321, the Contessa 32 is categorized as a heavy displacement boat. This means it will require more sail area to achieve its design hull speed compared to lighter boats, but it will also offer a comfortable and steady ride, especially in heavy seas.

Comfort Ratio: With a comfort ratio of 27.5, the Contessa 32 has a somewhat lively motion associated with a coastal cruiser with moderate stability. It strikes a balance between comfort and performance, making it suitable for both coastal cruising and longer passages.

Capsize Screening Formula: A ratio of 1.81 indicates that the Contessa 32 is well-suited for ocean passages. The lower the number, the better the boat is at resisting capsize, and a value below 2.0 is considered safe for bluewater cruising.

These ratios suggest that the Contessa 32 is a balanced sailboat, capable of both coastal and offshore cruising with good performance and comfort.

More Specs & Key Performance Indicators for Popular Cruising Boats

30' to 35'

35' to 40'

40' to 45'

45' to 50'

50' to 55'

Over 55'

This article was written with the assistance of Copilot, a large language model developed by Microsoft. Copilot was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.