Contessa 26 for $3900?!?

eMKay · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

In my local Craigslist. Should I even bother to go look? It's gotta be a piece of crap right? I wasn't planning on buying a big boat until next year at the earliest, but if I go look at this boat and it's solid I would have to buy it.

Livinondreams · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

They do pop up for a good price every now and then. I found one for 1000 and in 3 weeks I will hopefully own it. If its in good shape and you decide your ready to get another boat then go for it, those contessa's will take you wherever you need to go,as long as you don't mind a somewhat small cabin

southerncross31 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

Livin, so is it a Contessa that you have decided upon? If so, do they have an inboard or outboard motor? What kind of shape is it in? For 1g hiring a surveyor might not even be worth it (not that you said you were). What kind of shape is it in? I think your plans are great and i wish i had done the same thing at your age.

sanjuanderer · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

Contessa 26 is a $10000 boat in my neck of the woods
$3900, makes you wonder!

Livinondreams · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

sourtherncross, the inboard was removed and replaced with an outboard. The boat seems to be in fair condition. Interior is kinda trashed,but it seems externally sound. I am not sure if I should get it surveyed or not, afterall it is only 1,000. It doesn't have any sails with it, so I am gonna need to get those. As long as everything goes as planned, I should be a proud boat owner within 4 weeks!

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

It is definitely worth taking a look at... sometimes it is a boat being sold by the family of a sailor and they don't know what the boat is worth. Sometimes the boat is just in rouch shape cosmetically and all it needs is a good cleaning.

A Contessa 26 is an excellent small bluewater boat. They're very solid boats and have few areas of concern since IIRC they were made with solid decks and hulls--so core delamination isn't an issue.

chucklesR · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

It's a good way to spend a Saturday morning. Go look.

blowinstink · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livinondreams

sourtherncross, the inboard was removed and replaced with an outboard. The boat seems to be in fair condition. Interior is kinda trashed,but it seems externally sound. I am not sure if I should get it surveyed or not, afterall it is only 1,000. It doesn't have any sails with it, so I am gonna need to get those. As long as everything goes as planned, I should be a proud boat owner within 4 weeks!

Good for you -- and a nice choice too.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

Living--

even though the boat is only a $1000...get a survey. It would give you a very good starting plan for what needs to be upgraded/repaired/replaced and what can be ignored to start with.

eMKay · #10 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

I emailed the guy, It's everything I want except standing headroom, but I can overlook that for a boat with the reputation of a Contessa.

Sailingdog, I believe I read in John Vigor's book (20 small boats yada yada) that it has a balsa core on deck, it's something I may have surveyed.