1990 1990 Contessa 32

Step below and you’ll notice how unusually bright and open this Contessa feels for a serious offshore design. The coachroof windows and traditional sheer give you that classic profile outside, yet inside it’s a surprisingly welcoming retreat with the refit tying everything together. On deck, the narrow beam and deep forefoot give her that legendary, soft motion in a seaway, while the protected cockpit keeps crew secure when the breeze comes on. Her modest draft makes slipping into tighter anchorages or older marinas far less stressful. Under sail she tracks like she’s on rails, rewarding a light touch on the tiller and rewarding you with that satisfying hum when she’s trimmed just right.

In these waters, where a forecast can change quickly and passages often mix choppy afternoon wind with quieter mornings, the Contessa 32’s temperament really shines. The hull shape shrugs off steep, short waves, so you’re less beaten up on the ride home, and the secure cockpit inspires confidence when the wind pipes up. Tidal currents and tight harbor entrances are easier with a responsive, easily driven hull that doesn’t need a huge engine to keep way on. When the breeze is light, the efficient sail plan keeps you sailing instead of motoring, yet when it pipes up, the boat settles into a reassuring, steady groove that suits both day sailing and longer coastal hops.