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Yachtsnet's archive of boat details and pictures
 

The following information and photographs are displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details and photographs are normally based on one specific yacht, but could be a compilation. No reliance should be placed on other yachts of the same class being identical.  Where common variations exist, we have endeavoured to indicate this in these archive details. 

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

Contessa 33

Introduced in 1983/84 as a much more modern replacement for the long-lived and much-loved Contessa 32, which had been in production since 1971, Contessa 33s immediately started winning races. Peter Bruce's Contessa 33 'Owl II' was probably the most successful UK race boat ever, from 1992 to 1999, whilst also cruising widely.

Although regarded as a 'racing boat', the Contessa 33 is actually also a well fitted out and very competent cruiser, with nothing particularly demanding about the rig or handling. Only about 20 or so were built, as the quality construction made them expensive compared to other cruiser-racers of similar size, such as the Sigma 33.

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.

Contessa 33

Contessa 33

Contessa 33

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Contessa 33

 

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

Contessa 33

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

Yachts seen here are no longer for sale - the data is online as a free information service for buyers researching boat types. THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD.

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To port, aft of the chart table, is a double quarterberth, seen here with some sails stored at the aft end. The quarterberth has a curtain for privacy

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

Yachts seen here are no longer for sale - the data is online as a free information service for buyers researching boat types. THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD.

Go to our brokerage section for boats currently for sale

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

Photographs Yachtsnet

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