At 7.80 meters overall and 5.63 meters on the waterline, the 801 sits firmly in the small-sailboat class. What sets it apart from the usual quarter-ton formula is its beam of 6.65 meters and a length-to-beam ratio of just 2.84. That proportion is the structural reason period comparisons found it roomier below than 69% of comparable designs.
Design and Construction
Comar built the 801 in solid fiberglass with a fin keel, offering different keel alternatives during the production run. The fin-keel version draws about 1.45 to 1.55 meters, depending on load. An unknown keel-type version draws roughly 1.53 to 1.63 meters. Both should fit through all but the shallowest marina entrances.
Displacement is 2,000 kg, including 700 kg of ballast, giving the boat a stiff, manageable platform for short-handed coastal work. Wetted surface is about 20 square meters. An immersion rate of 136 kg/cm (766 lbs/inch) indicates how little the boat settles under the weight of crew and stores—a useful figure when assessing the load-carrying capacity of a used example.
Rig and Sail Plan
The 801 carries a masthead sloop rig. Its working sail plan is modest, with an 11 m² mainsail and a 22 m² jib. The light genoa is also 22 m², while the 17 m² intermediate genoa and 6 m² storm jib are intended for heavy air. For reaching and running, the inventory includes a 23 m² reacher and a 50 m² light spinnaker.
Sheet dimensions are thoroughly documented. The jib and genoa sheets are 7.6 meters long and 10 mm in diameter. The mainsheet is 19.1 meters, while the spinnaker sheets are 16.8 meters; both are also 10 mm in diameter. That gives a new owner clear specifications when it’s time to re-rig.
Accommodations
The beamy hull is the main story below. With its 2.84 length-to-beam ratio, the 801 uses width rather than length to create volume. The comparison placing it ahead of 69% of similar sailboats for spaciousness follows directly from that proportion rather than being a loose compliment.
The broad floor plan makes the boat feel larger below than its 7.80-meter length might suggest, particularly for weekending.
Verdict
The Comet 801 is a small Finot-designed, Comar-built cruiser that trades length for beam to gain interior room. It also offers a documented range of sails and a known keel-draft envelope. On the used market, it’s a sensible entry for sailors who want a solid-fiberglass Finot without the size or cost of the later 850 or 1000.
Pros
- Beam-driven interior room exceeding that of most comparable designs
- Multiple keel options with shoal-draft capability
- Fully documented sheet dimensions and sail areas, simplifying re-rigging
Cons
- Small overall size limits offshore range
- Documentation for the unknown keel variant is less certain
