Design Brief & Interior Layout
The central objective of the Comet 860 design was to maximize usable space on an 8.5-meter waterline without sacrificing sailing characteristics. Jean-Marie Finot achieved this by carrying a relatively generous beam of 9.67 feet well aft, maintaining a high hull volume that allowed for a revolutionary interior rearrangement. While older designs of this size class forced owners to endure cramped midships or forward heads, the Comet 860 introduced a dedicated aft head. This shift opened up the saloon and forward quarters significantly.
Inside, the boat features warm, traditional Italian teak joinery and a solid GRP liner that contributes to structural rigidity. The layout accommodates up to six berths, utilizing a V-berth in the bow, a convertible saloon settee 2, and a private double aft cabin tucked under the cockpit sole. The L-shaped galley is functional, though some taller sailors note that headroom at the galley counter requires a slight hunch. The dedicated navigation station is rare for a boat of this length. The design prioritized ventilation and natural light, making the cabin feel bright and inviting compared to the darker, narrower pocket cruisers of the previous decade.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The Comet 860 is a lively, rewarding boat to helm. Its sail area-to-displacement ratio of 21.55 indicates a generous sail plan that allows the boat to excel in light air, a crucial trait for summer cruising in the Mediterranean. With a displacement-to-length ratio of 264.62, the hull sits in the moderate displacement cruiser-racer category, carrying enough momentum to slice through a short chop while retaining a spirited helm feel.
The boat carries a ballast ratio of 32 percent on a fin keel, which provides reasonable initial stiffness, but the wide beam and flat bottom sections mean she prefers to be sailed relatively flat. If over-canvased, she will let the helmsman know with increased weather helm. The capsize screening ratio of 2.06 indicates that while she is an exceptionally safe and stable coastal cruiser, she is not intended for heavy, high-latitude ocean voyaging where a lower capsize profile is preferred. The comfort ratio of 20.67 translates to a light, active motion in a seaway; she reacts quickly to waves, making for an exciting sail but one that requires active physical engagement from the crew in a blow.
Market Standings & Ownership Economics
On the brokerage market, the Comet 860 occupies an attractive niche. It remains a highly sought-after model in European waters—particularly in Italy, Croatia, and France—where it commands a modest premium over generic pocket cruisers of the same era due to the Finot pedigree. Because only about 78 units were built during its brief production run, finding one in turn-key condition can require patience.
From an economic perspective, buyers should anticipate immediate refit allocations. The small standard fuel tank of just 7 gallons and water capacity of 30 gallons are typical of mid-1980s coastal cruisers but highly restrictive by modern cruising standards. Prospective owners should budget for system expansions. However, because the boat lacks complex hydraulic systems or sophisticated electronics in its base form, maintenance costs are generally low, making it a highly accessible entry point for couples or young families looking for a genuine cruising yacht on a modest budget.
Known Issues & Triage
While the Comet 860 is structurally robust, several age-related areas require careful pre-purchase triage:
- Osmosis: Early Comar hulls were laminated using orthophthalic resins, which are susceptible to osmotic blistering, particularly in warm waters. A thorough hull moisture inspection is mandatory.
- Deck Core Wetness: The deck features a balsa-wood core sandwich construction. Leaking stanchion bases, chainplates, and deck organizers often lead to localized water intrusion. Soft spots around the deck-stepped mast are particularly critical, as they can lead to compression of the deck and subsequent rig-tension issues.
- Rudder Play: The spade rudder configuration is prone to developing play or "slop" in the bearings over decades of use. Shaking or vibrating at hull speed under motor is a common symptom of worn rudder bushings.
- Keel-Hull Joint: Inspect the keel-to-hull joint for the classic "smile" or hairline cracking along the leading edge of the fin, which indicates either a history of grounding or the need to re-torque the keel bolts.
Modernization & Upgrades
Many veteran owners have successfully modernized the Comet 860 to meet contemporary standards. A common physical upgrade involves the transom. In 1986, Comar introduced the Comet 301, which was essentially the 860 hull mold fitted with an integrated transom sugar-scoop swim platform. Many 860 owners have imitations of this factory modification retrofitted, immeasurably improving stern boarding and tender access.
The original propulsion—typically a 12-horsepower Nanni or Farymann diesel—is often at the end of its serviceable lifespan. Modernizing the drivetrain with a 15-to-21-horsepower Nanni or Yanmar diesel resolves the underpowered feeling of the original engine when fighting strong coastal currents. Additionally, the large, easily accessible spaces beneath the salon settees and the aft berth are ideal locations for upgrading to lithium-iron-phosphate battery banks, allowing owners to run modern marine refrigeration and small inverter loads without requiring constant engine idling.
The Verdict
The Comet 860 remains an exceptional example of space-efficient European naval architecture. It successfully bridges the gap between a responsive, light-air club racer and a comfortable weekend cruiser, offering the accommodations of a much larger vessel in an easily handled 28-foot package.
Pros:
- Outstanding interior volume and headroom for a 28-foot yacht.
- Dedicated aft cabin and aft head layout maximizes privacy and livability.
- Excellent light-air performance and responsive helm dynamics.
- Active and supportive European owner community with highly shared DIY knowledge.
- Simple, low-maintenance deck layout and systems.
Cons:
- Light displacement motion can feel active and fatiguing in heavy seas.
- Extremely limited factory fuel and water capacities require aftermarket upgrades.
- Susceptible to balsa core rot and hull osmosis if neglected.
- The original 12-horsepower engine is often underpowered for heavy head-seas.
