Downsizing to a pocket cruiser/Trailerable Sailboat?

[thomm225]

Contessa 26 Slow-Motion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3pcXWUZ5Pk

[thomm225]

I have always thought the Contessa 26 was a beautiful boat and thought it would be a good boat for me as my first monohull. (after 4 beach cats)

When I actually found one at a local marina though I was surprised at how tiny they were.

5"4" standing head room in the cabin. Small deck space around the cabin. Boom about head high or lower if sitting in the cockpit.

So the Bristol 27 I ended up with has about 5'10" head room which allows me to stand up almost to where the mast is when in the cabin. I'm about 6' .......was 6' when I was younger maybe a tad less now.

It also has ample deck space for going forward.

At 6,600 lbs displacement/ 2650 lbs ballast and 8' beam it does pretty well when the weather gets nasty.....

Photos from when I was checking the size of my new jib

[ShakyIsler]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I have always thought the Contessa 26 was a beautiful boat and thought it would be a good boat for me as my first monohull. (after 4 beach cats)

When I actually found one at a local marina though I was surprised at how tiny they were.

5"4" standing head room in the cabin. Small deck space around the cabin. Boom about head high or lower if sitting in the cockpit.

So the Bristol 27 I ended up with has about 5'10" head room which allows me to stand up almost to where the mast is when in the cabin. I'm about 6' .......was 6' when I was younger maybe a tad less now.

It also has ample deck space for going forward.

At 6,600 lbs displacement/ 2650 lbs ballast and 8' beam it does pretty well when the weather gets nasty.....

Photos from when I was checking the size of my new jib

Liking your boat , Thomm. Very nice lines.

Yes agree, the Contessa is indeed tiny below. I've recently upgraded mine further to include a pilot house which I have tried to keep as tasteful as possible, and gives me standing headroom right through the cabin, but she is still of very narrow beam....but of course the plug for the Contessa was taken off a wooden Folkboat in the 1960's by Jeremy Rodgers. She is a lot of fun, capable of sailing oceans, but not a long term proposition for living aboard so I see myself going to a slightly bigger boat one day, 28 - 30 foot. The extra couple feet makes a huge difference down below, as you know.

Cheers