1963 Contessa 26 vs 1971 C&C 27 — Comparison
1971 C&C 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1963 Contessa 26 | 1971 C&C 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeremy Rogers | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1963–1980 | 1971–1975 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Canada |
| Designer | David Sadler | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.0 m² (280 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1963 Contessa 26 and 1971 C&C 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1963 Contessa 26 is a classic design by Jeremy Rogers from UK, while the 1971 C&C 27 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 1963 Contessa 26 was penned by David Sadler. The 1971 C&C 27 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the 1963 Contessa 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the 1971 C&C 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1971 C&C 27 is 0.43m longer than the 1963 Contessa 26. The 1971 C&C 27 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1963 Contessa 26 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.31 and 26.0 m² of sail area. The 1971 C&C 27, with an SA/D of 17.13 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1971 C&C 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1963 Contessa 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1971 C&C 27 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 46.0% for the 1963 Contessa 26 and 41.8% for the 1971 C&C 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1963 Contessa 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 1971 C&C 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1963 Contessa 26 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1971 C&C 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1971 C&C 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1963 Contessa 26 · 1971 C&C 27