Design Brief & Intent
The primary mission of the Comet 11 was to maximize interior volume, light, and liveability without sacrificing the respectable sailing performance that Comar’s earlier racing-derived models had established. Finot achieved this by pushing the volume upward and outward, utilizing a relatively wide beam of 11.81 feet carried well aft.
The interior design features an unconventional "day/night" separation. Instead of the traditional midships salon, Finot positioned the main living area (dinette) directly under the cockpit floor. This raised-cockpit configuration yields a remarkable headroom of over two meters (6.5 feet) in the aft cabin/salon. The aft space functions as a social hub, containing a U-shaped sofa, a spacious galley to port, a navigation station to starboard, and even an optional secondary inside steering wheel with 360-degree views through the smoked glass coachroof visor. A central corridor leads forward into the sleeping accommodations, which house a midships owner's stateroom with a pilot berth opposite, followed by a forward head and a double V-berth in the bow.
The joinery reflects the premium ambitions of Comar during this era. Finished predominantly in African Rosewood (palissandro africano), the interior exudes a dark, rich, and highly refined character that is warmly contrasted by the immense amount of natural light flooding down from the overhead windows. Storage is exceptionally generous, incorporating more than eighty distinct lockers, drawers, and cubbies throughout the cabins.
Variations & Configurations
Over its long production run, the model evolved through three distinct variations that significantly altered its layout, aesthetics, and handling characteristics.
- Comet 11 (Standard): The original version features a traditional, closed vertical transom, tiller-only outside steering, and the radical aft-salon/dual-helm interior arrangement.
- Comet 11 Plus: Introduced in the early 1980s, the "Plus" modified the deck mold to expand the cockpit, allowing for a standard pedestal wheel steering system. The most significant external change was the addition of an integrated, molded transom spoiler or swim platform extending roughly one meter. This design increased the dynamic waterline length (LWL) and improved light-air performance while facilitating easier boarding from a dinghy or the water.
- Comet 111 (and 111 Plus): Recognizing that some buyers found the aft-salon layout too avant-garde, Comar introduced the Comet 111. Utilizing the same hull, the 111 swapped the deckhouse structure for a more traditional design, replacing the massive smoked glass visor with conventional deck hatches. Sensationally different below deck, the 111 returned to a standard layout featuring a central salon, a forward stateroom, and dedicated double cabins tucked under the cockpit.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The hull exhibits balanced performance characteristics typical of Finot’s early cruiser-racer geometries. With a displacement of 12,345 pounds and a generous ballast of 5,070 pounds, the ballast-to-displacement ratio stands at an impressive 41.07%. Physically, this translates to a very stiff, stable boat that carries its sail area well into heavier blows before requiring a reef.
The sail area-to-displacement ratio of 17.49 indicates that the Comet 11 is well-canvased for a cruiser of its era, capable of slotting into light-to-moderate Mediterranean breezes with agility. Its displacement-to-length ratio of 214.02 categorizes the boat as a moderate-displacement cruiser, offering a good compromise between load-carrying capacity and surfing potential.
At the helm, the boat is responsive but lacks the flighty sensitivity of modern light-displacement designs. Its comfort ratio of 22.75 points to a motion in a seaway that is relatively gentle and predictable, though more active than a heavy-displacement full-keel cruiser of the same size. The capsize screening formula calculated at 2.04 indicates that while the hull is highly stable, it sits just on the line of offshore racing limits, making the Comet 11 highly respected primarily as a robust, sea-kindly coastal and regional passage-maker.
Market Snapshot & Economics
The Comet 11 remains a common sight in European waters, particularly across Italy, France, and Spain. On the brokerage market, it represents an outstanding value-to-volume ratio, offering the interior space of many modern 38-to-40-foot boats within an easily managed 35-foot footprint.
Because of the high build numbers and the age of the vessels, prospective buyers should budget for typical age-related restoration. The initial purchase price is generally low, making it highly attractive to DIY-oriented cruisers, but the cost of professional fiberglass, window, and woodwork restoration can quickly eclipse the market value of the vessel if a neglected hull is acquired.
Known Issues & Triage
While the structural fiberglass of the hull is robustly laid up, there are several era-specific issues that require close inspection.
- Osmotic Blistering: Like many Mediterranean hulls constructed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Comet 11 is prone to osmosis. Complete bottom peeling, drying, and an epoxy barrier coat treatment are common triage requirements for hulls that have spent decades in warm waters.
- Window Crazing and Leaks: The massive smoked acrylic visor panels on the standard Comet 11 and 11 Plus models are highly vulnerable to UV degradation, crazing, and seal failure. Replacing or re-bedding these highly curved, custom-shaped plexiglass panels is technically demanding and expensive.
- Steering Linkage Wear: On standard models equipped with the dual steering system (cockpit tiller and inside wheel), the mechanical linkage and cable pathways can suffer from play, stiffness, or corrosion.
- Rudder Post Housing (Losca) Stress: Structural stress around the rudder stock sleeve and the skeg attachment can occur, particularly if the boat has experienced a grounding or heavy following seas. This area should be carefully surveyed for stress cracks and glass separation.
- Deep Companionway: The deep, five-step companionway drop into the aft cabin is steep and can be hazardous in rough weather.
The Verdict
The Comet 11 is a bold piece of naval architecture that successfully traded convention for unparalleled volume and light. It is an ideal platform for liveaboards and coastal cruisers seeking a distinct, well-built classic that sails with dignity and stiffness. For those who can appreciate its unique aesthetic, the Comet 11 offers a level of comfort and wood-joinery craftsmanship that is rare to find in its price class.
Pros
- Unmatched headroom and interior volume for a 35-foot boat of its era
- Very stiff and stable performance under sail with a 41% ballast ratio
- High-quality African Rosewood interior joinery
- Abundant natural light in the main cabin
- Generous storage with over eighty dedicated lockers and compartments
Cons
- Steep, deep five-step companionway that can be difficult to navigate in a seaway
- Large smoked acrylic windows are prone to leaking and expensive to replace
- High visual barrier between the cockpit and the aft-galley isolates the helm from those below
- Susceptibility to gelcoat osmosis typical of late-1970s builds
