CONTESSA 35
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 35.5 ft |
| LWL | 29.5 ft |
| Beam | 11.42 ft |
| Draft | 6.33 ft |
| Displacement | 13,500 lb |
| Ballast | 6,899.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.3 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 48.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 15.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 43 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 15.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 642.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 375.9 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 639 sq ft |
About the CONTESSA 35
Designed as IOR (MKIII) 1 ton. Prototype (Gumboots) was winner of the 1974 International One Ton cup. Shown here is the race version.
Designed by Doug Peterson and built by Jeremy Rogers (UK), the Contessa 35 is a robust cruising sloop with a production run of 80 hulls starting in 1974. Its heavy displacement of 13500.0 lb and high D/L ratio of 234.76 reflect a design philosophy prioritizing seakeeping and comfort over speed.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideally suited for serious coastal and offshore cruisers who value stability and protection, particularly those willing to manage the maintenance demands of a classic heavy-displacement vessel.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.92 and a comfort ratio of 26.01, the Contessa 35 is highly capable offshore, though its age requires vigilant attention to structural integrity.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the Hallberg-Rassy 35 and the Tartan 35, as they share similar heavy-displacement characteristics, fin keels, and a reputation for safe, comfortable offshore passage-making.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(5 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.0 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 60° | 4.2 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| 75° | 4.3 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| 90° | 4.2 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 110° | 3.9 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| 120° | 3.8 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.6 |
| 135° | 3.4 | 4.7 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 9.0 |
| 150° | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.1 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 8.7 |
| Beat VMG | 2.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Run VMG | 2.5 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 8.1 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CONTESSA 35 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 35.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
23 reported issues across 9 systems for the CONTESSA 35, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CONTESSA 35? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 23 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your CONTESSA 35?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Westerbeke, Volvo Penta, Bukh — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the CONTESSA 35
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