Inside, the cabin features highly creative spatial arrangements aimed at maximizing usable area within a compact footprint. Instead of dedicating permanent space to a galley, Finot engineered a track-mounted galley module complete with a sink and burner stove that slides away when not in use. To make room for a genuinely comfortable saloon, the marine head is tucked beneath the central V-berth in the forward cabin, eliminating the need for a dedicated bulkheaded toilet compartment. Woodwork is clean and typical of 1970s European production boats, utilizing marine-grade mahogany veneers and molded fiberglass liners. While the boat is officially rated to sleep up to five adults, practical experience dictates that it is best suited for a cruising couple or a small family.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The sailing characteristics of the Comet 770 are defined by its racing pedigree and highly powered sail plan. Boasting a sail area to displacement ratio of 23.03, the yacht is exceptionally fast and responsive in light-to-medium breezes, stepping up to a plane easily under spinnaker. A ballast to displacement ratio of 43.66 percent indicates an incredibly stiff primary stability profile. With 1,550 pounds of its 3,550-pound total displacement located in its deep fin keel, the 770 stands up well to its canvas and resists early heeling.
At the same time, its displacement to length ratio of 250.3 places the boat firmly in the moderate-displacement category, ensuring it retains enough momentum to push through choppy coastal waters. However, the boat’s motion in a seaway is lively, as represented by its comfort ratio of 15.05. It responds quickly to waves and requires active helming in heavy weather. With a capsize screening ratio of 2.27, the hull is relatively beamy and flat-bottomed relative to its overall length, signaling that while it is an excellent performer for coastal hopscotching and club racing, it lacks the deep-water self-righting energy required for serious blue-water voyaging. The skeg-hung rudder provides steady tracking and prevents the stall characteristics common to pure spade rudders of this vintage.
Variations & Configurations
Throughout its five-year production run, the Comet 770 was primarily constructed as a masthead sloop with a fixed deep fin keel drawing 4.75 feet. The rig features single-line spreaders with an adjustable backstay, which was highly prized by club racers looking to tune headstay tension.
Propulsion configurations were centered around the standard single-cylinder, raw-water-cooled 7-horsepower Farymann diesel engine. Some hulls were fitted with the slightly upgraded Farymann K30 producing up to 10 horsepower. Because of the tight engine compartment tolerances, these compact powerplants were chosen specifically to fit beneath the companionway steps without encroaching on the aft quarter-berth space. Fuel capacity is modest, typically limited to a 7-gallon tank, and the freshwater supply consists of a 14-gallon bladder or rigid tank, underscoring the boat's design brief as a weekend racer-cruiser rather than an extended passage maker.
Known Issues & Triage
Because early Comar hulls were built using orthophthalic polyester resins, osmotic blistering is a known issue for Comet 770s that have spent decades in warm, high-salinity waters. Buyers should inspect the underwater profile for gelcoat blistering and verify whether a barrier coat has been applied. Structurally, the deck utilizes a balsa-wood core sandwich. Over time, deck hardware, stanchion bases, and the chainplates can leak, allowing water to migrate into the core and cause rot. Soft spots on the side decks or around the mast step are major red flags that require drilling, drying, and re-coring with epoxy.
The mechanical components also require specialized attention. The original raw-water-cooled Farymann engines are highly prone to internal scale buildup and localized overheating. Furthermore, sourcing OEM parts for these vintage single-cylinder engines has become exceedingly difficult on the modern market. On the interior, the innovative sliding galley unit frequently suffers from worn nylon track rollers or warped fiberglass guides. If the track system jams, it can make cooking and cabin access incredibly awkward.
Modernization & Upgrades
Many surviving Comet 770s have undergone major mechanical refits. Replacing the aging 7-horsepower Farymann diesel with a modern two-cylinder, freshwater-cooled diesel engine—such as a 10-horsepower Nanni or Lombardini—is a common and highly recommended upgrade. These newer engines provide reliable starting, cleaner emissions, and better electrical alternator output, though installers must pay close attention to engine bed alignment and the added weight on the stern. Electric conversion has also emerged as a viable repowering option due to the boat's light displacement and its primary role as a fair-weather day sailer.
To handle modern power demands, owners frequently gut the original, basic 1970s Italian wiring harnesses. Upgrading to a dual-battery system with a dedicated starting battery, a lithium iron phosphate house bank, and a modern battery charger is standard practice for comfortable cruising. Rigging modernizations often include converting the main halyard and reefing lines to run aft to the cockpit, installing a modern roller-furling system for the genoa, and replacing the original wooden cockpit combings and grab rails with low-maintenance synthetic teak.
The Verdict
The Comet 770 is a classic European cruiser-racer that punches well above its weight class in terms of speed, light-wind performance, and interior design. For sailors looking for an affordable, responsive, and stylish classic pocket cruiser for coastal bays and lakes, this Finot-designed classic remains an excellent, historically rich choice.
Pros:
- Outstanding light-wind performance and highly responsive handling at the helm.
- Extremely stiff hull with excellent resistance to early heeling.
- Innovative and highly space-efficient interior layout including a sliding galley module.
- Solid build quality from an iconic Italian shipyard.
- Skeg-hung rudder provides reliable directional tracking and structural durability.
Cons:
- Original Farymann diesel engines are difficult to service and source parts for.
- Balsa-core decks are prone to soft spots and core rot if deck fittings are not periodically re-bedded.
- Motion in rough seas is lively and can feel fatiguing over long periods.
- Lack of a private head compartment limits privacy during multi-day cruises.
- Limited onboard freshwater and fuel capacity restricts cruising range.
