Comet 701 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Despite its compact envelope, the design brief prioritized interior volume and functional cruising accommodations. The interior joinery consists of simple but warm wood trim bonded to a structural fiberglass liner. While headroom is inevitably restricted to sitting height—around five feet, five inches—the clever use of the boat’s beam makes the cabin feel remarkably open for a vessel of this era and size.

Variations & Configurations

While the Comet 701 was standardized in its production run as a masthead sloop, buyers could find variations in draft and propulsion setups. The standard configuration features a fixed fin keel drawing 4.76 feet, providing optimal lift and windward performance. Some versions were delivered with a shallow-draft keel or a swing-keel arrangement, which was more common on the sister Comet 700 model but occasionally utilized for shallow-water regions.

The interior layout remained largely uniform, sleeping up to four or five people. It features a double V-berth in the forward cabin section and two long settee berths in the saloon that extend back underneath the cockpit seats. Standard interior layouts included a small slide-out galley with a two-burner stove, a manual sink, and a marine head or chemical toilet tucked beneath the forward cushions. In terms of propulsion, the boat was initially offered with a small, raw-water-cooled inboard diesel engine, though some left the factory configured for transom-mounted outboards.

Sailing Performance & Handling

On the water, the Comet 701 is an agile and responsive design that benefits from Groupe Finot's racing pedigree. With a displacement of 3,086 pounds, it is relatively light, but its ballast-to-displacement ratio of 30.72%—representing 948 pounds of iron ballast—ensures the boat remains reasonably stiff. The displacement-to-length ratio of 247.6 places the design in the moderate displacement category, allowing it to handle light-air conditions with ease while maintaining momentum in choppy coastal waters.

With a comfort ratio of 14.22, the Comet 701 exhibits a lively and energetic motion in a seaway. It will transmit waves and wind pressure directly to the helm, demanding an active steering style from the helmsman. This is complemented by its capsize screening ratio of 2.34. This relatively high figure reflects its generous 8.53-foot beam, indicating that the hull derives a significant portion of its stability from its shape (form stability) rather than deep keel weight. Consequently, while the boat feels secure and stable in moderate conditions, it is best suited for coastal cruising, lakes, and protected bays, requiring early reefing as winds rise above fifteen knots.

Market Snapshot & Economics

On the brokerage market, the Comet 701 serves as an exceptionally economical entry point into cruising, particularly in the Mediterranean, where the model remains most plentiful. It typically trades at a modest value, making it a favorite for first-time owners and DIY enthusiasts.

The primary economic consideration for prospective buyers revolves around the engine and cosmetic preservation. Because these hulls are simple, basic maintenance costs are minimal. However, repowering can easily exceed the market value of the vessel if the original inboard engine requires replacement. As a result, boats that have already been converted to outboard power or have undergone documented engine overhauls tend to command a slight premium.

Known Issues & Triage

Original Inboard Engines: Many hulls still carry their original single-cylinder Farymann diesel engines. These raw-water-cooled units are loud, prone to heavy vibration, and suffer from a lack of readily available replacement parts. Corroded exhaust elbows, clogged cooling passages, and starter motor failures are common triage items.
Deck Coring Softness: Comar utilized a sandwich construction for the deck. Over forty years of service, poorly bedded deck hardware, stanchion bases, and handrails can allow water to seep into the core, leading to localized rot and soft spots in the fiberglass sandwich.
Osmosis: Hulls laid up in the late 1970s and early 1980s used early orthophthalic resins, which are susceptible to osmotic blistering. While Comar’s layups were generally thick and robust, a thorough inspection of the underwater profile for blisters is highly recommended during any pre-purchase survey.
Companionway and Hatch Leaks: The original plexiglass companionway slides and forward hatches often suffer from dried, cracking seals and warped frames, leading to cabin water intrusion during heavy downpours.

Modernization & Upgrades

Outboard Conversion: A highly popular upgrade among owners is blanking off the old inboard shaft alley, removing the heavy diesel engine, and mounting a modern 6 to 9.9 horsepower outboard engine on a heavy-duty, adjustable transom bracket. This eliminates diesel maintenance, reduces weight, and frees up significant dry storage space in the cabin.
Running Rigging Modifications: To make the boat easier to sail shorthanded, veteran owners often redirect halyards, reefing lines, and the topping lift back to the cockpit. This involves installing deck organizers, turning blocks at the mast base, and line clutches or stoppers on the cabin top.
Electrical System Redesign: The original wiring is rarely adequate for modern electronics. Refitting the boat with a basic marine-grade DC panel, a small lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, and a flexible solar panel mounted on the coachroof is a common and highly effective upgrade.

The Verdict

The Comet 701 is an outstanding classic pocket cruiser that punches far above its weight in terms of packaging and sailing dynamics. Designed by one of the era’s premier naval architects, it offers a harmonious blend of responsive handling and surprising interior accommodation for a 23-foot boat. While it lacks the standing headroom and heavy-displacement comfort of larger cruisers, its simplicity, low operational costs, and fun handling make it a stellar choice for coastal day sailing and weekend pocket-cruising.

Pros