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Contessa 26

Masthead Sloop · Long keel w/trans. hung rudder · 1965–1990

Specifications

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
42.6%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
12.1
Displacement / length
301.3
Comfort ratio
26.3
Capsize screening
1.71
Hull speed
6.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
536
Hull
Hull type
Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1965–1990
Units built
750
Designer
David Sadler
Builder
Jeremy Rogers, J.J. Taylor, Sons Ltd.

Design & history

The CONTESSA 26 was first built in England by Jeremy Rogers Ltd., with molds later shipped to J.J. Taylor and Sons Ltd. in Canada; the Canadian version was renamed the TAYLOR 26 in 1984, and about 400 CONTESSA and TAYLOR 26s were built in Canada with the last delivered in 1990.

Notable features
Standard auxiliary power was 6.6 hp Peter gas engineFarryman diesel offered as an option for later boats
Variants
  • TAYLOR 26
Production

First built in England by Jeremy Rogers Ltd.; molds later shipped to J.J. Taylor and Sons Ltd. of Canada. In 1983 the Canadian version received significantly redesigned deck and interior. In 1984 the Canadian version was renamed the TAYLOR 26 due to licensing disputes. UK construction ceased after a fire destroyed the original molds. About 400 CONTESSA and TAYLOR 26s were built in Canada, with the last boat delivered in 1990.

Curated reference notes

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