Classic 1978 Jeremy Rogers Limited Contessa 32 Sailboat in Lymington

The Contessa 32 is a legendary 32-foot fibreglass monohull sailing yacht, designed in 1970 by David Sadler and built by Jeremy Rogers Limited. This 1978 model, located in Lymington, is one of the most respected offshore cruising yachts ever built, offering proven reliability for long-distance voyages.

With a length of 9.75 meters (32 ft) and a beam of 2.98 meters, this sailboat accommodates up to 6 guests comfortably across 2 cabins, including a forward V-berth and saloon seating with additional berths.

1978 Contessa 32 “Vagabond” – Legendary Ocean Warrior, Professionally Refurbished This is a true Contessa 32 – one of the most respected British cruiser-racers ever built. Designed by David Sadler and built by Jeremy Rogers, these boats have earned legendary status for seaworthiness and toughness. Proven Pedigree In the deadly 1979 Fastnet Race, sistership Assent was the only yacht in her class to finish despite hurricane-force winds. Willy Ker sailed his Contessa 32 over 100,000 miles from the Arctic to Antarctica, often single-handed. Many others have rounded Cape Horn and crossed oceans repeatedly. Major 2010 Refit at Jeremy Rogers Yard, Lymington Extensive professional refurbishment at the original builder’s yard including: - New standing & running rigging - New Harken winches (coachroof, cockpit & spinnaker) - New Selden slab-reefing boom + Rodkicker - New Spinlock clutches & organisers - Full Yanmar engine service - New forward hatch, stanchions, LED lights & more Key Specs LOA: 32 ft | Beam: 9'6" | Draft: 5'6" Displacement: 9,500 lbs | Ballast: 4,500 lbs Masthead sloop, mast height ≈42–43 ft Sails & Rigging Mainsail: ≈175 sq ft Genoa/Jib: 258–350+ sq ft (overlapping No.1) Storm Jib available Symmetrical Spinnaker: 500–600 sq ft Modern rig setup with excellent short-handed handling. A fast, balanced, and exceptionally sea-kindly yacht ideal for coastal cruising, club racing or serious bluewater sailing. Timeless lines and proven capability. Serious inquiries only. Ready for her next adventure! "We think she’s the best boat ever..." — Willy Ker

Key Specifications

• Year Built: 1978 (Jeremy Rogers Limited)
• Length: 32.0 ft (9.75 m)
• Beam: 9.75 m x 2.98 m
• Draft: 1.65 – 1.80 m
• Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
• Max. Persons: 6
• Displacement: ~9,600 lbs (4,309 kg)
• Ballast: 4,500 lbs

The Contessa 32 features a moderate displacement design, weighing 9,600 pounds, which made it a stable and seaworthy boat in its day. Its construction utilized vacuum bag assisted resin transfer systems, ensuring high-quality fiberglass lay-up.