The Contessa 32 is one of the most admired yacht designs ever mass produced. Designed by David Sadler and built by Jeremy Rogers the design has been in production from its inception in 1970 until the current day. Having proved itself in the most arduous conditions during the infamous 1979 Fastnet with a Contessa 32 being the smallest boat to complete the race. Examples of the design can be found cruising in the four corners of the world, drawing admiring glances where ever they go.With the current owners since 2023 the Contessa 32 RUBICON has undergone extensive refitting and upgrading since 2018, modernising and improving every facet of the boat. Now reluctantly offered for sale as her owners move to something larger her extensive inventory highlights include:Topsides finished in AwlGrip Sable Brown two-pack paint, applied by Silvers Marine in 2011Gelshield preventative epoxy treatment applied to underwater hull in 2011 and again in 2021Alloy framed portlights refurbished by Eagle Boat Windows in 2018Deck hatch replaced 2018All seacocks and skin fittings removed and replaced in 2018Beta Marine B20 diesel engine (2018)Featherstream bronze, 3 blade feathering propeller, installed new in 2018Full rewiring of the 12VDC system and installation of a new 230VAC shorepower system in 2024Mastervolt Chargemaster, 25amp battery charger (2024)50w solar panel with Victron Blue Smart MPPT charge controller (2025)Victron Smart Shunt connecting to phone or tablet via Bluetooth with Victron App (2024)Raymarine Axiom plotters in cockpit and at chart tableRaymarine RAY53 DSC VHF (2024)Raymarine AIS700 Class B Transceiver (2024)Installation of pressurised hot and cold water system with new calorifier (2024/25)Fully insulated fridge with new compressor and chiller plate 2024/25Eberspacher diesel fired, blown air heating system.New cushions and upholstery in saloon 2022All new standing rigging, February 2024Mainsail and Yankee, new from Banks Sails in 2019New Mainsail cover with lazyjacks, fitted 2024Lofrans Royal manual windlass (2024)Lying afloat on her mooring at Ardfern Yacht Centre, the Contessa 32 RUBICON is available for immediate viewing by prior appointment.CONSTRUCTIONHull Construction:Single piece GRP moulded hull.Hand consolidated, traditional heavyweight monolithic mouldingGRP formed structural members internallyPlywood bulkheads and furniture bases, glassed to hullTopsides finished in AwlGrip Sable Brown two-pack paint, applied by Silvers Marine in 2011Underwater hull stripped back to gelcoat and preventative Gelshield treatment applied in 2011. Antifouling blasted off back to epoxy in 2021 and hull inspected before additional coats of gelshield applied in 2021Stainless steel stem anchor protection plate professionally fitted in 2025.Hull finished below the waterline with blue AntifoulingDeck & Superstructure Construction:Single piece GRP moulding incorporating coachroof and self-draining cockpit.Hand consolidated GRP moulding.Coachroof finished in white paintCoachroof top and decks finished in Ivory non-slip deck paintAlloy framed portlights in coachroof sides, all portlights removed and fully refurbished by Eagle Boat Windows in 2018Deck hatch replaced 2018Keel & Rudder:Long fin keelEncapsulated lead ballast.Skeg hung rudder.MACHINERYEngine:Beta Marine B20 diesel engine (2018)20hp3 cylinder, naturally aspirated, indirectly cooled.Mechanical reversing gearboxSingle lever morse controlMaintenance & Performance: Engine last serviced autumn 2025Engine recorded running hours – 240.4hrsAll seacocks and skin fittings removed and replaced in 2018Cruising speed under engine 5ktsPropulsion & Steering:Stainless steel prop shaftPSS shaft seal installed in 2018Featherstream bronze, 3 blade feathering propeller, installed new in 2018, serviced spring 2026Laminated hardwood tillerAutopilot:Raymarine ST2000+ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSVoltage systems:12VDC onboard power system, full professional re-wire in 2024230VAC shore power system, professionally installed 2024Shore Power:Extension lead to connect shore power supplySingle 16amp connection pointRCD consumer unit3-pin UK socket, battery charger and immersion heaterBattery Banks:Domestic Battery Bank – 2x 12VDC, 85Ah Hankook lead acid. Installed for 2019 seasonEngine Battery Bank – 1x 12VDC, 75Ah Hankook lead acid. Installed for 2019 seasonCharging:Mastervolt Chargemaster battery charger (2024)230VAC – 12VDC, 25ampAlternator:Single engine driven, 14VDC alternator55ampSolar Panel:Deck mounted, 50w flexible solar panel (2025)Victron Blue Smart MPPT charge controller, bluetooth connection with Victron App (2025)Battery Monitor:Victron Smart Shunt connecting to phone or tablet via Bluetooth with Victron App (2024)General:Blue Sea switch panelsAll LED lighting throughout interiorPLUMBINGFresh Water:Pressurised hot and cold water systemMixer tap in galleyMixer tap in heads extending for use as shower headHot water provided from calorifier, heated by engine cooling water or 230VAC immersion heaterNew pressure pump fitted in 2025Bilge Pumps:Manual Bilge Pump Electric Bilge Pump – Manual and auto switchingGas System:Self-draining cockpit lockerGas system inspected and gas safe certificate issued December 2024TANKAGEFuel:Single diesel tankApproximate capacity 40ltrFresh Water:Single fresh water tank in keel.Stainless steel tank constructionCalorifier:Nautic insulated calorifier (2024/25)15ltr capacity230VAC immersion heater or engine cooling water heatingNAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENTOn Deck:Chartplotter – Raymarine Axiom+ 9” MFD 9 (2024)Depth/Speed/Log – Raymarine ST60+ Tridata displayWind - Raymarine ST60+Repeater - Raymarine ST60+ Graphic displayCompass – Raymarine ST60+Magnetic CompassBelow Deck:Plotter – Raymarine Axiom 7” MFDCommunications Equipment:DSCVHF – Raymarine RAY53 DSC VHF (2024)AIS – Raymarine AIS700 Class B Transceiver (2024)New VHF antenna fitted in 2024DOMESTIC EQUIPMENTGalley:Galley Stove – Nelson gas cooker. 2 burner, grill and ovenFridge – Professionally insulated with new compressor and chiller plate in 2024/25Stainless steel sink with foot pump to drain waste water overboardMixer tap with pressurised hot and cold water (2024)Sink waste manually pumped overboard using foot pump, new pump fitted in 2024Heads:Lavac manual marine toilet (2018)Mixer tap, extending for use as shower (2024)Wash hand basinHeating:Eberspacher diesel-fired, blown-air heating system.Thermostatic cabin controllerOutlets in saloon and heads areaACCOMMODATIONSummary of Accommodation:6 berths over 2 cabinsDouble cabin forwardHeadsSaloonGalleyNav stationQuarter berthAccommodation Finish:Traditional style joinery of teak veneered plywood with solid teak trims.Teak veneered sole boardsMoulded GRP headliningGRP moulded heads compartmentTraditional teak varnished soleboardsGalley worktop formica professionally replaced in 2025New cushions in forward cabin fitted 2019New saloon cushions fitted 2022Description of Accommodation from Forward:Forward Cabin:V-berth in the traditional layout with central in-fill section creating a double V bunk when required.Cushions replaced in 2019Hull lined outboard with veneered plywood panelsBin lockers beneath the bunks.Canvas ‘door’ between cabin and heads, fitted new in 2024Heads:Spanning the full width of the boat forward of saloon.Walk-through heads compartment providing access to forepeak.Manual Lavac marine toilet outboard to port with moulded wash hand basin forward.Vanity unit outboard.Full-depth hanging locker outboard to starboard.Sliding door between heads and saloonSaloon:Drop leaf table is mounted slightly offset to portU-shaped settee to portBench type settee to starboard.Cushions replaced in 2022Table drops down to allow use of the port side saloon settee berth as a double berth.Starboard saloon berth converting to a full-length single berth.Storage is provided around the saloon with locker space behind the back of the settees and in overhead lockers outboard.Galley:To port of the companionwayGas cooker, two burner, grill and oven, gimbal mounted outboardGRP moulded sink unit Top-loading, insulated fridge outboard of sink, professionally insulated and new compressor fitted in 2025Under worktop, top loading fridge locker beneath aft section of worktop.Selection of storage lockers outboard of and below worktopNav Station / ¼ Berth:Forward facing navigators seat on forward end of quarter berth.Forward-looking chart table with storage for charts within table.Ships switch panel outboard.Sizable quarter berth extends under the starboard cockpit seating.DECK EQUIPMENTRig:Keel stepped, single spreader, masthead sloop rigStanding rigging of 1x19 stainless steel wireFull replacement of standing rigging in February 2024Harken roller reefing system for genoa, serviced in 2024Slab reefing mainsailMechanical backstay adjuster.Alloy Spinnaker pole.Removable Selden bowspritClutches port and starboard side of companionway for lines lead aftHarken mainsheet systemNew Dyneema genoa and spinnaker halyards fitted in February 2024New #2 genoa halyard and topping lift fitted in February 2024Lazyjacks (2024)Winches:Primary Winches – 2x Lewmar 40, two-speed, self-tailingSecondary – 2x Lewmar, single-speed.Cockpit Halyard Winches – 1x Lewmar 25, two-speed. 1x Lewmar single-speed.Mast Mounted Halyard Winch – 1x Lewmar, two-speed, single-speed.Mast Mounted Reefing Winch – 1x Lewmar 8, single-speedSails:Mainsail – White Dacron, slab reefing. Banks Sails 2019Mainsail – White Dacron, slab reefing. Old and dirty. Saturn Sails. Not used in current ownershipYankee – White Dacron, roller reefing. Banks Sails 2019Genoa – White Dacron, roller reefing. Saturn Sails. Not used in current ownershipTriSail – Not used in current ownershipCruising Chute – Fitted with Snuffer. Saturn Sails. Lightly usedCanvas Work:Mainsail Cover – Stackpack type cover with lazyjacks, fitted in August 2024Sprayhood Cockpit Tent – Refurbished by sailmaker winter 2025/26Anchoring & Mooring:Bower Anchor – Vulcan 12kg plough anchor (2024) on chain (10m) and warp (30m) rodeKedge Anchor – Delta 12kg anchorAnchor Windlass – Lofrans Royal manual windlass (2024)Mooring Warps – SelectionFenders – SelectionGeneral:Stainless steel pulpit and pushpit rails.Deck mounted stainless steel stanchions supporting stainless steel guardwires.Double stemhead roller.Alloy mooring cleats forward and aft.Panama style fairleads forward.Moulded toerail running the length of the deck outboard.Solid teak capping rail.Ivory non-slip deck paint to finish decks and coachroof topSolid teak grabrails running the length of the coachroof outboard.High moulded coamings protecting cockpit.Primary and spinnaker winches mounted on coamings.Cave lockers within cockpit coamings.Deep, self-draining cockpit with bench seating around all edges.Teak grating on cockpit sole.Cockpit lockers under seating to port and aft.Outboard storage bracket mounted to port on aft railSAFTEY EQUIPMENT:General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.Navigation Lights:LED Masthead Tri-colour and Anchor light fitted new in 2023LED Steaming / Deck Flood Light fitted new in 2023LED Low level navigation lights Lights all re-wired as part of 2024 re-wiring projectLife saving:JackstaysGas Alarm (2024)Liferaft cradle (2024)DISCLAIMERIn this case we are acting as brokers only.The Owner is not selling in the course of a business. whilst every care has been taken in their preparation , the correctness of these particulars is not guaranteed. The Purchaser is strongly advised to check the particulars and where appropriate at their expense to employ a qualified Marine Surveyor to carry out a survey and/or to have an engine trial conducted which if conducted by us shall not imply any liability for such engine on our part.This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.Unless otherwise stated on the published sales specification the following presumptions are made:Shaft seal or sail drive diaphragms are more than 5 years old.Fuel, gas hoses and gas regulators are more than 5 years old.The vessel doesn’t currently have a GasSafe certificate issued within the last 5 years.Standing rigging and sails are more than 10 years old.
This 1978 Contessa 32 is listed for sale in Ardfern, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. With a 32ft layout and used condition, this boat is suited to buyers looking for sail options in this location. View full details, photos and specifications for reference RB702561 on Rightboat.