Contessa 26 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

David Sadler·1965 – 1990·~750 hulls·Jeremy Rogers
Contessa 26 drawingBuilder drawing
Hull type
Monohull · full
Rig
Masthead Sloop
LOA
25.5' · 7.77 m
Displ.
5,400 lbs · 2,449 kg
First year
1965

The Contessa 26 stands as one of the most enduring icons of British fiberglass boatbuilding, representing the first major commercial success for Jeremy Rogers Ltd. Launched in 1966, the design was a collaborative effort between David Sadler and Jeremy Rogers, heavily inspired by the lines of the wooden Nordic Folkboat and the earlier David Cheverton designs. With its long keel, deep forefoot, and elegant narrow beam, the model was conceived as a rugged offshore cruiser capable of handling the demanding conditions of the English Channel. Between the UK production run at Lymington and the licensed production in Canada by JJ Taylor & Sons, over 750 hulls were launched, cementing its status as a "pocket circumnavigator." The Jeremy Rogers Ltd archives highlight that while the boat was originally marketed as a racercruiser, its legacy is defined by its extraordinary seaworthiness and a surprisingly high ballast ratio that allows it to punch well above its weight class.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 10,761
Ask, not sold · 17 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
6
17 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
-4.9%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
2
United Kingdom (87.5%) · Canada (12.5%)

Recent Listings

8 for sale · sampled 10 newest

Where they're listed

Contessa 26 listings span 2 countries. United Kingdom leads with 14 listings (87.5%), followed by Canada.

Median ask by country
USD · past 12 months
Share of listings
Count · past 12 months

Country breakdown

16 listings · 2 countries
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United Kingdom$ 11,40314587.5%
Canada$ 7,3212112.5%

Comparable models

Similar length overall, displacement, and era. Click a row to jump to that model's market page.

Peer cross-shop

11 designs · same segment
ModelLOAMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 d
Contessa 3232'$ 33,6495933
Sadler 2625.75'$ 10,0952315
Victoria 2626'$ 23,5512212
Colvic Countess 2828'$ 13,123229
Contessa 2827.67'$ 9,421209
Contessa 26You are here$ 10,761176
Hallberg-Rassy 2626.08'$ 18,617147
Conyplex 3332.25'$ 22,7351310
Pearson 2626.12'$ 5,00092
Grampian 2626'$ 8,50083
Victoria 2626'$ 26,85266

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Contessa 26 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Contessa 26 over the past 12 months is $10,761. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Contessa 26 sailboats are for sale?+
6 Contessa 26 listings have gone live in the last 90 days, and 17 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Contessa 26 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Contessa 26 has decreased by 4.9% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month median.
04Where are Contessa 26 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Contessa 26 listings over the past 12 months are United Kingdom (87.5%), Canada (12.5%).
05What should I look at instead of a Contessa 26?+
Comparable models include Contessa 32, Sadler 26, Victoria 26. See the peer cross-shop table above for pricing and availability.