Design and Construction
The Comet 850 has a molded fiberglass hull and deck, with a fixed iron fin keel. It measures 8.50 meters overall, with a 6.80-meter waterline and a beam of 2.90 meters. Its length-to-beam ratio is 2.95, a relatively narrow, seakindly proportion for the period.
Displacement is 3000 kg, and the ballast ratio is 37 percent. Wetted surface is about 23 square meters. Two draft versions were offered, drawing either 130 cm or 160 cm.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Comet 850 is rigged as a masthead sloop and carries 42.50 square meters of sail. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 14.0 using the ISO reference sail and 16.8 with a 135 percent genoa.
The standing and running rigging follow period sloop conventions. The mainsail halyard is 22.4 meters long and 8 mm in diameter, with matching jib, genoa, and spinnaker halyards. The jib, genoa, mainsheet, and spinnaker sheets are 10 mm.
Cruising speed is cited as 5.0 knots, with a maximum of 6.0 knots and a theoretical displacement-hull maximum of 6.3 knots. The capsize screening value is 2.01, while the Motion Comfort Ratio is 21.4. An immersion rate of about 130 kg per centimeter indicates a moderately loaded hull. Owners sailing under the Dutch system record an SW rating of 106.2.
The narrow beam and moderate ballast ratio favor settled handling. Auxiliary power comes from a shaft-drive Nanni Faryman diesel, reflecting the boat’s straightforward late-1970s construction.
Accommodation
The standard cruising layout provides two cabins, one toilet, and six berths. The cabin-cruiser brief puts livability ahead of racing minimalism. Fitting six berths into an 8.50-meter hull with a 2.90-meter beam suggests a compact but functional interior, typical of Finot’s cruising designs from the period.
Known Issues and Variations
Owners report water ingress in the port aft locker, where the diesel tank is located. They also describe a cockpit opening to the exterior beneath the steering position, which is worth checking for unintended drainage paths.
Because the Comet 850 was offered with either 130 cm or 160 cm draft, draft-specific behavior and groundgear should be confirmed against the actual hull.
Verdict
The Comet 850 is a Finot-designed, Italian-built fiberglass cruiser with period-appropriate performance and a practical six-berth layout in a sub-30-foot package. Its narrow proportions and moderate ballast ratio favor settled handling, while the iron fin keel and shaft-drive Nanni Faryman diesel keep the construction straightforward.
Pros
- Finot-designed masthead sloop with documented sail-area ratios
- Fiberglass hull and deck with a fixed iron fin keel
- Six berths in two cabins aboard a 28-foot cruiser
- Several hundred built, supporting spares and familiarity
Cons
- Reported water ingress in the port aft locker housing the diesel tank
- Cockpit opening to the exterior beneath the helm needs inspection
- Draft ambiguity between the 130 cm and 160 cm versions
