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 racer-cruiser, its legacy is defined by its extraordinary seaworthiness and a surprisingly high ballast ratio that allows it to punch well above its weight class.
Contessa 26 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Contessa
- Model
- 26
- Builder
- Jeremy Rogers
- Designer
- David Sadler
- Number Built
- 750
- Production Year(s)
- 1965 - 1990
Below are the most recent Contessa 26 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | 1 | $22,000 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | $19,500 |
| Sep 2025 | 7 | $9,396 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | $12,100 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | $14,026 |
| Mar 2026 | 3 | $10,072 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | $9,970 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contessa 32 | 32' | $39,218 | 44 | 24 |
| Sadler 26 | 25.75' | $12,133 | 18 | 11 |
| Victoria 26 | 26' | $22,983 | 17 | 7 |
| Contessa 26 | $10,643 | 16 | 7 | |
| Colvic Countess 28 | 28' | $13,181 | 15 | 3 |
| Contessa 28 | 27.67' | $9,463 | 14 | 6 |
| Westerly Centaur 26 | 26' | $6,722 | 14 | 4 |
| Conyplex 33 | 32.25' | $24,617 | 10 | 7 |
| Hallberg-Rassy 26 | 26.08' | $19,491 | 10 | 5 |
| Nonsuch 26 | 26' | $22,900 | 10 | 2 |
| Pearson 26 | 26.12' | $4,500 | 8 | 1 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $10,809 | 13 | 6 |
| Canada | $8,500 | 2 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Contessa 26 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Contessa 26 over the past 12 months is $10,643. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Contessa 26 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 16 Contessa 26 listings over the past 12 months, with 7 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Contessa 26 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Contessa 26 has decreased by 1.56% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Contessa 26?
- Canada currently has the lowest median asking price at $8,500, while United Kingdom is the most expensive at $10,809 — a 27% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Contessa 26?
- Comparable models include the Contessa 32, Sadler 26, Victoria 26. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.