Does anybody the handling characteristics of a 1975 Contessa 25? I found writeups on the Contessa 26 in Europe but seems to be a different boat. Can't find anything in the way of reviews on the net except a standard blurb which several for sale seemed to have. Any info at all would be helpful!
Frank

I presume you are referring to the Peter Cole designed Contessa. It is an entirely different boat to the British built Contessa 26 which is just a folkboat built in "glass with higher topsides and a longer cabin. At least one of these have sailed out to Australia. One of our forum members used to own a Peter Cole Contessa and maybe she will ad to the discussion. Both boats are held in high esteem.

The Contessa 25 is an excellent boat. See here some good summary details;

www.dbyboatsales.com.au

The 1980 first build date in the below is wrong - try 1973 or even a bit earlier.

sailboatdata.com/sailboat/contessa-25-cole

Thanks for the info Ramona and r13. I'd already found those but was wondering if anyone had actual experience sailing one. Yes i do mean the Contessa 25 and not the Euro version.
Frank

Lovely boat, very sweet. I wanted one as a kid. My mum had two over the years. Peter Cole could design fat boats - Nantucket 31 and he could design beautiful slim boats like the Cole 43 and the Contessa. The Contessa is like a little Cole 43 - a proper yacht. I have a definite soft spot for them and they sail nicely with few bad habits.

They are not big inside but they tick a lot of boxes. Graceful, well mannered and gentle on the eye.

cheers

Phil

Thanks Phil

A Top Hat may be a better buy

Hey Frank101. We bought a Coke Contessa25 Last year. Two handed delivery was from Pt Stephens to Pittwater. Nice breeze on the quarter made the 75nm run in 14 hours.
She sails beautifully, Very little weather helm, she tracks clean and true and regularly outpaces 30 footers on Pittwater. Love the looks when you pass linger boats 20x the cost of yours!

Down below is good for two. Threes a crowd but we regularly day sail with 4. Note: most models do not have standing headroom below unless you are hobbit sized. Ours has a custom deck and coach-house with headroom which I like compared to the standard models.
I'm in the process of putting an owners "accociation" website up - watch for that later in the year.

Jon - Glasshopper, Lovett Bay, Pittwater

@glasshopper25

I am looking at getting back into sailing and am considering a Contessa 25. Would love to chew your ear if you have time for a phonecall?

Cheers,
Stew