Contessa sale prices

Deja vu, all over again. Are you really going to sell this time? Are you not sailing enough? Is an intervention required?

I like to think that the Contessa holds its price (at least over the last 25 years) extemely well.  I seem to recall when my father bought the boat new in 1980, he paid $25,000, which of course inclued two jibs, one main sail and a brand new Farymann engine.  He later sold the boat without much modification ten years later in 1990 - he kept the boat and engine in good condition and added a storm jib. In 1990, he sold it for $23,000.  When I bought the boat back in 2003, I paid $14,500 for it (a recent survey had been done and the hull, decks and spars were in good shape).  Furthermore lots of "upgrades" had been added, but still orginal sails and engine.  I agree with Merrill in that the price is really based on the condition and the "upgrades" (new sails, reconditioned engine etc...)

Ivanross

Normally, I'd be my pigheaded self and try to talk you out of it. I'd assert points such as "roller furling", (not stopping to think of picking up or tying off the bloody mooring pennant).

However, in this case, I'll refrain, (up until, of course, the need for intervention is clear and present), and thank you instead. It strikes me that you'd rather spend your energy and time nosing into impossible crannies and tapping about hulls rather than sailing.

As I think back, I can think of no time in my life that I've ever been more satisfied with life than when I was walking out of the yard, soaked with a lovely combination of sweat, blood, rust, diesel and oil, having won, (or lost!), the most recent "argument" with my boat.

The thank you part comes in when I realize that you've opted to "mess about" in a variety of boats, in a professional capacity. While it never seemed a conscious choice, more of a duty being born into the an unfortunate bloodline of sailing industry participants, I have to stop and remember how lucky I am to have been able to carve out a living working in the sailing industry. One can become jaded, so thanks for the reminder and well done - we are lucky indeed.

If an intervention does not become necessary, I recommend that you  work now to claim the status of Grand Watootoomuck of Contessa 26dom and spend future seasons claiming the obligatory courtesy sails on the vessels of the faithful. I'm sure they'll happily go forward when necessary.

Merrill, let me too know if you need intervention!  However, I can imagine the side decks with the size 12 sneaks...I am only a 5'5", 110# woman with size 6 women's feet, and the boat is perfect for me, I give all you real men out there alot of credit for all the head banging, shin cracking and contorting you must do!