Contessa 32 vs Sadler 34
Posted by nothingnew09876@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 17 comments
After 6 years of deliberation, saving and gaining a bit of sailing experience, I'm finally in a place where I can buy buy first boat. There are 2 boats advertised that seem to be in good condition and ready to sail (no survey carried out yet) one's a Contessa 32 the other is a Sadler 34.
I've always liked the looks of the Contessa 32, and also the Sadlers, I guess I'm just a fan of David Sadlers designs.
I need a boat that I can learn to single hand, and something I can live on for 2 - 3 months a year. Does anyone have experience sailing either or both of the above? Are there any areas where one stands out above the other?
DarkKnightOfDisorder@reddit
Possibly also worth considering a sigma 33. You won’t go wrong with any of them
IDreamOfSailing@reddit
Wasn't that type known for its relatively high risk of osmosis? I've seen a sigma 33 for sale which was advertised as having had a complete anti-osmosis treatment, but the hull under the waterline was still full of blisters.
EminenceGris3@reddit
They’re both boats of a certain age, with everything that’s good and bad about that. They’ll definitely both look after you in a blow, as long as you look after them and don’t do anything foolhardy.
I have never sailed on a Contessa 32, but they have a reputation for having low headroom in the cabin and for being quite a wet boat when you’re in the cockpit. The Sadler is a slightly more modern boat, and that double-skinned hull will cut down on some of the condensation when you’re on the boat in cooler months (I owned a Sadler 26 for 11 years). However, as others have pointed out, it can be tricky to spot signs of ingress into the foam cavity between the two hulls. Pay close attention to deck fittings and through-hull fittings for any kind of water damage, and definitely get a survey.
There are examples of both that will have been well-loved and well-maintained, but there are also others that have turned into old-man sheds. Which is which should be fairly obvious. Look for something that has had a new engine fitted in the last 10-15 years. I would worry if a Sadler still had the original Bukh engine - they were great, but all good things must come to an end.
All things being equal, I would lean towards the Sadler 34, particularly if you plan to live aboard for part of the year. This website is a good resource for info on Sadlers: https://www.lucasyachting.co.uk. Good luck.
nothingnew09876@reddit (OP)
Thanks for your reply, I've had a looknat the Lucas Yachting link some excellent infornation on there thanks.
I've seen a Sadler 32 for sale near me, it's cheap but has the origional engine and looks like it's been a while sonce she was sailed.
EminenceGris3@reddit
32s are solid boats, but I’d be wary of the fact that it hasn’t been sailed in a while and the engine is old. Bear in mind that a replacement engine will cost you around £7k-£8k. Again, check deck fittings, stanchion bases, chainplates, and look for water stains on the woodwork inside. Also, window leaks are an absolute PITA on sadlers. Look for drips below them. And if a boat of this age looks unloved, walk away.
nothingnew09876@reddit (OP)
Thanks again, I'll probably avoid that one then. If I add the cost of a new engine to it, then it nolonger apears cheap.
I'd also like to get a bit of sailing done with whatever I buy before the first repair bill.
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
I heard that Martin Sadler designed both but chose to cruise on a Sadler 32. Even the Sadler 32 is a big upgrade on space and general modernity over the Co32
nothingnew09876@reddit (OP)
There is a Sadler 32 for sale at a marina near home that seems cheap, looks like it needs a bit of work though.
Mehfisto666@reddit
You should have quite some leverage on the uk market. I remember seeing tons of great deals when looking at boats over there.
What is your goal with the boat? Just living aboard some time and sail it daily? Coastal cruising? Or do you plan to take it on long voyages and make offshore to shetlands and norway?
I quite like the sadler for its interior space. Although I'm not a huge fan of deck stepped mast on old boats. Don't cheap out on surveys once you have done some screening first yourself.
When i was looking at the uk market i was looking for a westerly 33 / discus or westerly conway. I really like those. They have tremendous space inside. But they are heavy cruisers which will take some wind to get going. Not really beer can racers. So it depends what you wanna do.
I was also looking at the Colvic Watson (34 i think) that seemed awesome. I bought a new boat recently that i love but the regret of not getting one with a pilothouse is eating me inside every day. Again, depending on what you plan to do with it, if you think you'll be around often in rainy/cold weather, consider a pilothouse boat.
nothingnew09876@reddit (OP)
I'd really like to sail round the UK, but think that's a year or two in the future once I've gained more experience. I'd be doing it in stages to fit in around work so would be living aboard for a max of 4 weeks at a time, I get about 3 months a year off on average.
I imagine there will be a point where I regret not getting one with a pilothouse knowing the UK weather, thanks for the tip.
Mehfisto666@reddit
I'm sure you will be off for some coastal trips much earlier than you imagine. Sailing is easier than people think now that we have such amazing weather forecast. Just don't go out by yourself in 25kn of wind on the first day you have a boat
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
If you want to save money and stay on the heavy/safe end of the spectrum, consider a Rival. If you want to save money and lean towards the performance side, consider a UFO.
McScones@reddit
Depending on there you are located I think you can get better boats for the money. With the contessa you pay a “contessa premium” because they are so popular boats.
nothingnew09876@reddit (OP)
I'm in the UK there are a few Contessa's and Sadlers for sale within my price range, what other boats would you suggest?
McScones@reddit
Okay, since they are made in the UK, I don’t think it is as big of a problem. I don’t have suggestions, because I am not so familiar with the boat market in the UK. Since you don’t have to live on the boat year round, I would go with the boat you fall most in love with. Then I bought my Thurø 33 I just knew it was right. I love how it looks, handles and everything else. But just as the contessa it is small and I live in it year round. But that doesn’t matter because I just love it.
Pumbaasliferaft@reddit
The 34 is a better yacht, but the contessa is prettier, and smaller and not just the 2 feet, she’s an older design and is proportionally skinnier, less headroom and finer in the ends.
The 34 is double skinned and I don’t know how well that has lasted the years.
I’d get the 34 with a deep keel, I’m pretty sure they did a 3’6” shoal draught version
And Martin designed the 34
nothingnew09876@reddit (OP)
The Contessa is deffinitly prettier, but I think you're right the 34 would be more practical.