ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER

CONTESSA 26

The Mini Cooper of the sailing world, there were almost 800 of these little yachts built over a period of almost 30 years and they’ve gained a cult following. A mould was exported to Canada where several hundred more were built as the Taylor 26, after a trademark dispute. Remarkably, the lines were never drawn as such, but a mould was made from a Folkboat hull and a few adaptations made to give a higher freeboard and slightly more internal volume.

Unlike the Folkboat, the Contessa 26 has a masthead rig and large overlapping genoa.