Contessa 28 Information, Review, Specs

The creation of the Contessa 28 in 1977 marked a significant period for Jeremy Rogers Ltd., as the company experienced explosive growth during the 1970s, establishing itself firmly in the realm of production boat building, 18]. Doug Peterson, a designer celebrated for his successful racing yachts that dominated offshore events in the mid-1970s, brought his expertise to the Contessa line, also designing larger models like the Contessa 35, 39, and 43 for Rogers.

Peterson's design philosophy for the Contessa 28 focused on creating a "high-performance cruising boat" that prioritized both speed and comfort. He aimed for a "real sailing boat" that would perform well across a range of conditions, avoiding the pitfalls of sluggishness in light winds or excessive leeway. Production of the Contessa 28 continued until approximately 1983, with around 129 to 150 units built in total, some of which were exported internationally. While the design remained largely consistent, some early models were noted to have a rather heavy, oversized rudder, and variations in quality could be found among vessels that were home-finished from mouldings, as opposed to factory-built by Rogers.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Contessa 28, with its fin keel and spade rudder, is often described as a fast, seaworthy, and well-balanced vessel. Her design ratios provide insight into her characteristics: a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of 14.9 suggests that she requires a steady breeze to achieve optimal speed, indicating she may necessitate motor-sailing in lighter conditions. Conversely, her Ballast to Displacement ratio of 40.2% signifies good stiffness and stability, enabling her to stand up to her canvas effectively in stronger winds and power through waves. With a Displacement to Length ratio of 292, the Contessa 28 is clearly positioned as a heavy displacement cruising boat, capable of carrying significant cruising gear without a notable impact on her waterline. While this characteristic might make her less ideal for purely light coastal sailing, it enhances her performance and comfort during offshore passages in more challenging conditions.

Owners and reviewers frequently praise the Contessa 28 as a good, solid boat that sails well and is reasonably competitive in club racing without being overly tender. She excels in flat water, demonstrating good pace, though her flatter underwater profile can lead to some slamming in a chop. Her handling is generally considered docile and manageable for family cruising, yet she can also be a "reasonably sharp performer". While she sails excellently upwind, some owners have noted that her IOR-influenced pinched stern can make her prone to rolling or a "broach coach" downwind in big breeze and waves. The original steering might feel slightly heavy to some. The masthead sloop rig, featuring a single spreader, is simple and efficient, with many boats originally equipped with convenient slab reefing and self-tailing winches for ease of handling.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite her overall length of just under 28 feet, the Contessa 28 is renowned for her surprisingly spacious and practical interior layout, designed to comfortably accommodate up to six people across two cabins and the main saloon. The interior typically features a warm and inviting atmosphere, finished with teak veneer complemented by white bulkheads and headlinings.

Forward, a V-berth provides sleeping space, convertible into a double berth with an infill cushion. This cabin also includes a hanging locker, storage shelves, and an overhead opening hatch for light and ventilation. The main saloon is arranged with two settees that can serve as single berths, with the port settee capable of converting into a double. A folding table, often with internal storage for cutlery and crockery, comfortably seats four. Additional storage is found in lockers and shelves behind and beneath the settees, with lee cloths often fitted on the saloon berths for offshore use.

Aft of the saloon on the starboard side is the galley, which typically features a two-burner gas stove with an oven and grill, a stainless steel sink with a manual water pump, and an icebox. Ample storage is provided for food and utensils, sometimes with removable work surfaces for added convenience. Opposite the galley, on the port side, is the navigation station, which generally includes a chart table with storage drawers, an instrument panel, and space for a VHF radio. Behind the navigation station, a quarter berth offers an additional sleeping area or valuable storage space. The heads compartment is situated on the starboard side, between the saloon and the forward cabin, and contains a marine toilet, a washbasin with a manual water pump, and often a shower with an electric pump, along with a mirror and storage lockers. The boat typically carries a water capacity of 16 to 20 gallons and a fuel capacity of 10 gallons for its diesel engine.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners consistently praise the Contessa 28 for its solid construction and seaworthy characteristics, making it a reliable choice for family cruising and even offshore passages. Many appreciate its comfortable motion in a seaway and its surprisingly spacious interior, often describing the boat as "well-appointed" and a "dream to sail". The strong build quality and handling capabilities are frequently highlighted, with anecdotal evidence of the boat managing challenging conditions, such as Force 6/7 crossings, with confidence.

However, some recurring observations among owners include the boat's tendency to slam in a chop due to its flatter underwater profile. The original Petter Mini Twin engine, while functional, is prone to corrosion and has a reputation for reaching the end of its lifespan, leading many owners to re-power with more modern alternatives like Yanmar engines. Early models may also have had issues with an oversized rudder contributing to heavy steering, and some factory-finished boats or those raced hard reportedly experienced cracking around the encapsulated keel, though such issues are generally believed to have been addressed by now. A few owners have noted that the coachroof-mounted mainsheet traveler and the long tiller, which can sweep the cockpit, might be less desirable features. While less information is available about Contessa 28 owner communities compared to the more ubiquitous Contessa 26 and 32, a dedicated Facebook group exists to connect owners.