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32 ft sloop, designed by David Sadler, inspired by the Folkboat tradition. Beam 9.5 ft, draws 5.5 ft, integral keel, 9500 lbs displacement. PHRF 183.
Built by J J Taylor 1981. Hull number 25 of 87.
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Solid fibreglass, no coring. Rig is over-specified (original owner went bluewater). Sleeps max 5 people but best suited for singlehander or devoted couple. Easy to sail, light on the helm, willing, points and foots well. Remarkably resistant to capsize with a ballast ratio of 47%, the model attracted worldwide fame when a CO32 was the only boat in her class to finish the disastrous 1979 Fastnet.
Article about Contessa 32 -- "Contessa 32 owners mention the forgiving nature of the boat, the responsive helm and beautiful windward performance."
The CO32 is light on the helm, well-behaved, and is suitable for singlehanding by women or men. Very few boats today in the 30-foot class are recommended for ocean crossings; both the Contessa 32 and its smaller sister the 26 are recognised blue-water classics and have made notable voyages.
The Contessa 32 is still being built; but a new one from Jeremy Rogers in the UK costs upward of $250K. This vintage example is in good condition and current owner has made many functional upgrades totalling approx. $40K:
A deep "bathtub style" cockpit with high coaming provides security for the crew. A generous storage locker is aft of the helm, with another to port (to stbd there's a pilot berth below the cockpit, see below). Tiller steered. Primary and secondary Lewmar winches plus a small winch for the roller furling line.
A hard dodger (hard top with canvas/vinyl wrap) offers protection from spray, while a hard bimini provides shade and protects most of the cockpit from rain. The custom bimini structure is welded steel, sturdy enough to use as a grab handle, and provides hanging storage for fenders, boarding ladder, dock lines, etc.
Lifesling and throwing line (old but serviceable). Many fenders.
The recent Beta 25 engine with Campbell Sailor prop pushes the boat to 5.5 knots "delivery speed" while burning a modest 1.5 litres/hr. Fuel tank 40 litres, plus 8 10L jugs for a max fuel capacity of 120 litres or 80 hrs, approx 400 mile max range under engine. Conventional stuffing box with packing. Engine control panel in cockpit with pushbutton start; engine electrical disconnect switch inside, at chart table. Engine hours 1471.4
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Basic electronics (all in working order).
Tazling has been set up for singlehanding. In most conditions there is no need to leave the cockpit while sailing. Lazyjacks assist in containing the lowered sail bundle.
Under sail in a good breeze a steady 6-6.5 knots is easy to achieve. The high aspect ratio rig with tall narrow main (also from Leitch-McBride) and generous roller-reefing genoa means the main need not be reefed until wind speed reaches approx 20 kts.
The Leitch-McBride genoa has a foam luff preserving acceptable sail shape when partially reefed, so sail area can easily be adjusted to conditions.
Light air sails included: A-sail with snuffer, and drifter with roller furling.
A Monitor transom-mounted windvane comes with the boat but present owner has never used it and it is currently not mounted.
Ground tackle is exceptionally robust for a boat of this size: approx 240 ft of 5/16" chain with Bruce "claw" anchor, Lofrans manual windlass with 2 handles (shorter and longer). Tazling has "held on" safely in some very windy anchorages. A Y-shaped bridle with twin elastomer snubbers protects the windlass, reduces chain rumble, and prevents shock loading. There is also a spare anchor and spare chain/rope rode on board.
Below, the interior is small with limited headroom (anyone 6ft tall or more will be stooping slightly). The model is designed for sailing performance, not luxurious accommodation, and the interior is simple but well laid-out.
At the foot of the companionway there is a small galley (port) and traditional chart table (starboard) with stowage under. Aft of the chart table is a pilot berth. Below the pilot berth, two batteries (engine and house).
Galley features a single propane burner, with ample storage below for pots and pans. Generous under-counter storage is accessed by 3 removable covers. A foot pump provides fresh water to a small "bar" sink. Teak racks offer storage for spices, mugs and glasses, etc. and a cubby with sliding doors can hold more cookware or provisions.
Salon cushions have been reupholstered; there is a small salon table (which can be dropped to convert the dinette into a generous single bunk). All lighting is LED. Lockers with sliding doors line the salon on both sides, and there is storage under the settees.
A Dickinson propane furnace warms up the salon quickly on chilly mornings. Furnace and cooktop each have their own dedicated 9lb propane tank securely mounted aft of the cockpit. Both furnace and cooktop have thermal safety sensors to shut off gas if flame is extinguished. Cooktop has piezo ignition, furnace is manually lit. A small bookcase/magazine rack is mounted to the opposite bulkhead.
Forward of the salon is a large hanging locker (to stbd) and the head (to port). The head is a simple Jabsco hand-pump model with no holding tank (pump unit replaced 2022). There is a small handwashing sink with its own freshwater hand pump and a drain, and yet more locker stowage for TP and medicine-cabinet items.
Forward of the head and hanging locker is the forepeak, with limited standing headroom and the traditional triangular double berth. A large hatch lights the forepeak and there is ample storage under the bunks, accessible from above.
Forward of the forepeak is the chain locker, accessible via a small circular hatch. Below the chain locker is a glassed-in watertight collision compartment which could alternatively be used as a holding tank.
Tazling is a small British offshore racer. Accommodation is therefore somewhat spartan and the livable space is not large. The design priority was performance and passage-making capability so a lot of interior volume was dedicated to extensive stowage. It's remarkable how much stuff can be packed into this small hull.
Boat is in very good mechanical condition. Cabin/house: good. Bottom: good. Topsides and deck: fair, could do with some cosmetic attention. Teak rails and trim: worn, could do with cosmetic attention. Sails and rigging: excellent. Some upgrade projects remain to be done.
Unfinished Business: The tank water (20 gal) has an off-taste and the tank should probably be repaired/replaced. There is a leak at the top of the water tank which releases some freshwater into the bilge when the tank is filled. Gelcoat, hatches and portlights have suffered from tropical conditions. The plastic of the hatches and portlights in particular is hazy and should be replaced at some point. There is some corrosion of aluminium portlight frames. Forepeak hatch should be replaced. Spare parts are still available from Jeremy Rogers. As with most boats of this age there is some blistering on the hull; but it does not appear to be progressing and this is a hand-laid, resin-rich hull.
Hauled and bottom-painted yearly (Micron CSC), mostly at Jack's Boatyard in Lund (they will remember the boat). Prop zinc and engine zinc replaced frequently, oil changes yearly or 200 hrs as recommended.
Further details available on inquiry, for serious buyers. No recent survey is available, but seller is happy to cooperate with serious buyer who wants an OOW survey. Boat can be delivered to Jack's or Ocean Pacific.
Reason for sale: advancing age and multiple back injuries forcing owner to transition to motor cruising rather than singlehanded sailing.
Asking $25K. Cash deal, no trades. Serious inquiries only, call 250 935 0305 or email taz dot in dot bc at gmail dot com. Available April 2023, but as of April 1, still in process of removing personal effects and deep cleaning for viewing. Ready to show as of April 4.
Because Tazling is lying Gorge Harbour, Cortes Island, transportation may be an issue for potential buyers. Ferry to and from Cortes Island runs every 2 hours and there is no night service. Overloads are not uncommon. It can be easier to park at Heriot Bay and travel to Cortes as a foot passenger. Seller is happy to pick buyer up at Whaletown Ferry dock and deliver buyer to the ferry dock after their visit.
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Other miscellaneous stuff is included: multiple fire extinguishers, shore power cord, boat-specific tools, spare cordage, shore line, spare filters and zincs, spare bilge pump, etc. Light air sails as mentioned earlier. Radar not included (it will be transferred to owner's new boat). No dinghy (owner uses a kayak). Manuals and documents included.