Introducing my latest Contessa 32 refit project with boat tour (Project Lottie Ep1)

Here on ‪@RefitandSail‬ we love a classic Contessa 32 and this is my latest refit project. In this video I give a quick tour of the boat as delivered to me and highlight some of the refit works to be done over the coming weeks.
As a contessa owner and sailor I know these bots like the back of my hand so always carry out a quick and basic survey of any boats that are new to me with the owners job-list in hand. I then make my own additional list of suggestions based on what I find and my own experience for the owner to consider. On this boat I have made a few discoveries but on the whole she is a sound and unmolested boat and a very worthwhile refit project. The osmotic blistering of the hull (commonly known as osmosis) was an unforeseen part of the project but will be dealt with as part of the project.
Many thanks to the owner for giving me permission to create this content based on the refit of his boat.
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For my day-job I run a small business repairing, maintaining and refitting sailing boats. I'm mostly in the central Solent area of the UK. Being a cruising and racing sailor with many thousands of inshore and offshore sea miles logged I like to think that I bring a great deal of real world experience to my work and help many new (and not so new) boat owners to improve and maintain their sailing boats. When I'm not fixing boats I also provide some own-boat sail training, help owners with deliveries and provide consultancy services to those that are refitting their own boats for cruising or racing.
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Disclaimer - I hope that viewers both enjoy and learn something from my videos but please remember to take the appropriate precautions for any DIY refit works you undertake with appropriate PPE and the correct tools for the job. If you are in any way unsure as to how to go about a project or are unsure if something on your boat is safe please consult a professional.
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Music credit - Bensound.com

[@fordm5]

She looks of similar vintage to my CO32. Your jobs list is longer than mine, but I'm very much looking forward to being able to come along for the ride with you George - I have a feeling these videos will be invaluable for me! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@walterhenry1030]

Another great video George. Looking forward to the refit series.

[@svcarillian4689]

Excellent videos George. Super workmanship and skill. You are a great tutor on how to do the repairs.

[@RefitandSail]

Thanks ☺️

[@hedleyjackson5131]

Great walk around looking forward to more. Great descriptions really informative thank you.

[@RefitandSail]

Glad you enjoyed it, more to come!

[@ray8328]

Looking forward to this project series of vids.

[@rogerc4196]

Nice -- the Contessa 32 is pretty sweet.

[@paulwilliams3494]

A fair amount of work with the added bonus of some still to discover how bad jobs. No doubt that's the norm on boats of such age but having seen a few you are sure to be confident she will come up to muster as you said it's all possible with a positive mindset, oh and a little elbow grease. It's going to be very interesting to watch, good luck.

[@RefitandSail]

There are always a few extra hidden jobs once you dig into a refit but hopefully nothing too major.

[@christopher-bj8de]

Clearly we have a very well to do owner.

[@benrandomly2016]

Good info on those short comings from the factory. I like these boats but they're bit small for a 32, and more racer cruiser than I want. I look forward to seeing some referb videos.

[@RefitandSail]

The shortcomings on a co32 from the factory are generally few and far between and they were, back in the 70’s, better built boats than a lot of the competition at the time. That’s still true today, the new boats built in the JR yard are beautifully put together.

[@bendaves77]

I really love the Defour classic sailboats .. hopefully you will be able to refit or work on one so that I can get more information about them.. it seems that they're really well built boats.. the Contessa boats have definitely proven that they're strong boats

[@RefitandSail]

I have not done a great deal of work on Dufour boats but well aware of the Dufour Arpege which was well ahead of its time when it was designed back in the 60’s.

[@davidclarke7728]

Why would anybody by a boat that wants so much work, not complaining, looking forward to seeing the work

[@RefitandSail]

Many buy a boat in need or refurbishment because it gives them the opportunity to make the boat their own and have it refitted to their requirements rather than buying a more expensive but better condition boat where they will still be things that need doing but an owner may be reluctant to swap out 5 year old instruments for example even though he or she may want a different system. This project allows the owner to pick and choose exactly what deck dear, electronics and many other things he wants. Also, if the boat was the right price to start with then there is a great pleasure in doing a project like this. This was genuinely a good buy for the price as it’s not an abused boat and it’s not a boat that’s been messed-with by many ham-fisted diyers which is often the case in my experience.

[@jamesgutridge2115]

Great videos, been binge watching. Is there a possibility of giving us an idea of costing etc, maybe at the end. Keen to know how much a boat like this in this condition might cost and also cost of refit? TIA

[@kbbarton1]

I look forward to seeing how she cleans up! What year is that boat - 1971?

[@RefitandSail]

1975 I think, need to check again with the owner. Spoiler alert - the hull has been painted so it’s not original gel coat but that means the hull number (which includes its year built) is partially obscured by paint.

[@jenssorquist172]

The big anode could be due to a HF radio installed on board at some point.

[@RefitandSail]

A HF radio needs a good ground and this is normally achieved with a grounding plate which has a large surface area in contact with the water due to its construction, this is different to an anode that is just a solid lump of metal (normally zink) so it would not really work as a HF radio grounding plate.

[@josesalesfilho3235]

Great video. If you can, please coment about the costs of such a huge reform. Rgds from Brazil.

[@RefitandSail]

I have agreed with the owner that it would be best to not talk about the costs of his refit but if you have a particular job in mind you are welcome to contact me by email.

[@normanboyes4983]

Looks like an excellent project boat. Has the owner subcontracted all the works to you or do they intend to do some of the works themselves?

[@RefitandSail]

I have done the vast majority of the works, some things like upholstery and rigging are carried out by specialist subcontractors/partners. The owner has done some bits to help so has got his hands dirty on occasion.

[@MrJeep75]

What do you need zinks on a plastic boat

[@EuroThrashDude]

I'm curious / concerned about the hull blistering... if it already got an epoxy coat and its bubbling though again ... My noobie instinct would be to go full in and shave it all & glass it.

[@RefitandSail]

Your instinct is petty good, keep watching the series!

[@stephenauty2402]

I need a new switch panel for my Sadler 26, could I buy that one if it's not needed?

[@RefitandSail]

Maybe, I can pass the funds onto the owner. I have lots to do before I get to the electrics though.

[@douglasanderson1276]

When done, is it worth the cost of refit?

[@Fbrogaard]

Would you mind sharing the approximate price the owners paid for this CO32? I'm offered to buy one in about the same shape as this one for around 11k GBP, but that seems a bit high...

[@RefitandSail]

Sorry, it’s not my place to pass on private information like that but “project” co32’s range in value from 8-18k gbp depending on what their actual state is (usable in the water or ashore and needed work just to get afloat). Ultimately each boat is going to have a mix of good and bad so you need to judge each boat you look at individually and work out what it is worth to you based on your budget, skills and time available to do a refit.

[@johan8724]

Was gonna buy a nicholson 32, same colour but was just sold they said, 3weeks later i got another 1 from 1965, even better .

[@LauLau197]

I really enjoyed most of your video, and I think your work is great, but unfortunately the high pitched ding that was peppered through it, to encourage me to subscribe made it too hard to watch and I had to switch off...

[@RefitandSail]

Thanks for the comment, I stopped the ding on more recent video’s so no worries there. Thanks for the feedback

[@MrJeep75]

I hate plastic boats

[@KingArthurreturns]

How much was it

[@bluedogozwoofer6737]

watching w intrest, comment to help utube profile