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1983 Contessa 38
other
used
Listed 0 days ago
Specifications
Make
Contessa
Model
38
Year
1983
Length
38.4ft (11.7m)
Beam
3.51m
Hull Material
GRP/fibreglass
Engine
Volvo, 28hp, 785 hours
Fuel Type
Diesel
Location
Yarmouth, ENG, United Kingdom
Equipment & Extras
- Beam
- 11'5"
- Year
- 1983
- Price
- $54,281 USD | Listed price £39,995 GBP
- Category
- Used sail boat for sale
- Location
- Yarmouth, ENG, United Kingdom
- Make/model
- Contessa 38
- Displacement
- 8.05 tons (U.S.)
- Name of boat
- Ariel
- Maximum speed
- 9 mph
- Cruising speed
- 7 mph
- Length overall
- 38'4"
- Number of cabins
- 3
- Tax / VAT status
- Not paid / Excluded
- Mainsail – Slab reefing 2015
- Yankee – Roller furling 2015
- Staysail – roller furling 2015
- Cruising chute – and snuffer
- Spinnaker pole
- Raymarine Axiom 9” chart plotter
- 2 x GPS
- ST 60 Speed
- ST 60 Depth
- i 60 Wind
- Raymarine/Lewmar Autopilot
- Radar
- AIS Transeiver
- Hand held VHF
- Inboard VHF/DSC
- Clock
- Barometer
- Ocean Safety 4 man offshore cannister liferaft – serviced 2026
- Two manual bilge pumps
- 1 electric automatic bilge pump
- Danbuoy
- Lifebuoy
- Life ring
- Radar reflector
- 12v Searchlight
- 12v Fog Horn
- Gas detector
- 2 Fire extinguishers
- Fire blanket
- 4 Lewmar Mast winches
- 6 Lewmar self-tailing cockpit winches
- 1 Lofrans Electric anchor windlass
- 50m anchor chain
- Bruce 35Kg Anchor
- CQR Anchor – spare
- 2 man Seago dinghy
- Outboard motor
- Demountable boat hoist/davit
- Warps
- Fenders
- Boathook
- Mains immersion heater
- Engine driven water heating
- Duogen wind and water electrical generation
- Volvo 28hp diesel engine – Serviced annually
- Shaft drive with two-bladed feathering propeller
- Fuel tanks – s/s 120 litres
- Water tank – 320 litres
- Bow thruster
- 4 x batteries (Cap 480Ah)
- 240 volt shore power
- Mains battery charger
- Merlin SmartBank Control
- 7 berths in three cabins
- Double forward cabin
- Convertible saloon with folding table + single + pilot
- Aft cabin- single + seat
- Chart/navigator station table
- Fitted galley with two-burner hob, oven, and grill
- 2 x Galley sinks with tap
- Manual sea water pump
- Pressurised hot and cold water
- Refrigerator
- Eberspacher Heater
- Separate heads compartment with Lavac sea toilet & shower
- Curtains and new upholstery
- 35 kg Bruce Anchor
- Anchor locker
- Lewmar self-tailing winches
- Raymarine self-steering
- Wheel
- Compass
- Depth sounder
- VHF radio
- Spray hood
- Winch
- Navigation Lights
- Main Sail
- Battery
- Anchor
Description
Boat Overview.Ariel is a 1983 Contessa 38. She is a classic Bermudan Cutter rigged cruiser-racer renowned for solid build quality, seaworthiness and timeless design. This particular vessel has been well used and well cared for, reflecting the years of capable sailing while remaining in excellent condition. Built with a strong GRP hull and a long fin keel, she offers a reassuringly stable and responsive performance, ideal for both coastal cruising and serious offshore passages. The interior is compact yet practical, with comfortable berths, a functional galley and ample storage. Rigging and Sanders sails are in good working order, ensuring she is ready to sail without major upgrades.Ariel is a fine example of a well-loved classic yacht that`s ready for many more seasons afloat.Since purchasing her in 2010 Alan and Maggie have had a programme of continual upgrading: new sails, standing and running rigging, new radar, chart plotter (currently Axiom), autopilot, upgraded electronics, DuoGen wind and water generator, interior soft furnishings, replacement cooker, water heating, refigeration, cabin heating, new cockpit teak, Darglow feathering propellor and a new engine in 2019. Owners Comment:*Warning* don’t read this if you’re a fair-weather sailor scared of the open ocean.Why buy a yacht? Powerboats are faster, cars are more convenient…If you’re anything like me – you’re reading this advert because you’re searching for the freedom, the adventure, and the self-sufficiency still to be found in this world.Nothing provides these rare and precious of life gemstones like Ariel.A sturdy old girl who feels just as comfortable and at home in a force 7 off the West coast of Scotland as she does when becalmed in the Solent.Crusing chute lifting lazily as you exhale a deep sigh of satisfaction.Ahhhhh – sheer blissShe may no longer be the fastest BUT she’s beautiful in a way modern boats can only envy.Just look at her underwater profile! Every inch of her screams powerful sailing.Plus she’s as sturdy as they come (and if you want raw speed – buy a sports car).When all of your friends have to go back to harbour with their tails between their legs, you can still be exploring and living life to the fullest with total confidence in this sturdy, seaworthy vessel.Enjoy untethered adventure thanks to totally self-contained “eco” power generation. Whilst everyone else has to plug into the mains to charge their batteries, you’ll be out creating your own real-life “tall tales” of nautical adventure.Call Roy today on 07880 947363Because time and tide wait for no man – and neither will Ariel hang around on the shelf very long.So call Roy before someone else steals your adventure.Sail WardrobeMainsail – Slab reefing 2015Yankee – Roller furling 2015Staysail – roller furling 2015Cruising chute – and snufferSpinnaker poleNavigation EquipmentRaymarine Axiom 9” chart plotter2 x GPSST 60 SpeedST 60 Depthi 60 WindRaymarine/LewmarAutopilotRadarAIS TranseiverHand held VHFInboard VHF/DSCClockBarometerSafety EquipmentOcean Safety 4 man offshore cannister liferaft – serviced 2026Two manual bilge pumps1 electric automatic bilge pumpDanbuoyLifebuoyLife ringRadar reflector12v Searchlight12v Fog HornGas detector2 Fire extinguishersFire blanketDeck Gear4 Lewmar Mast winches6 Lewmar self-tailing cockpit winches1 Lofrans Electric anchor windlass50m anchor chainBruce 35Kg AnchorCQR Anchor – spareExtras2 man Seago dinghyOutboard motorDemountable boat hoist/davitWarpsFendersBoathookComfort and AmenitiesAriel is equipped with: mains immersion heater, engine driven water heating, Duogen wind and water electrical generation, for extended offshore cruising.Mechanical SpecificationsVolvo 28hp diesel engine – Serviced annuallyShaft drive with two-bladed feathering propellerFuel tanks – s/s 120 litresWater tank – 320 litresImmersion heaterBow thrusterElectrical System4 x batteries (Cap 480Ah)240 volt shore powerMains battery chargerMerlin SmartBank ControlAccommodation7 berths in three cabinsDouble forward cabinConvertible saloon with folding table + single + pilotAft cabin- single + seatChart/navigator station tableFitted galley with two-burner hob, oven, and grill2 x Galley sinks with tapManual sea water pumpPressurised hot and cold waterRefrigeratorEberspacher HeaterSeparate heads compartment with Lavac sea toilet & showerCurtains and new upholsteryDeck Features35 kg Bruce AnchorAnchor lockerLofrans electric anchor windlass50m anchor chainLewmar self-tailing winchesRaymarine self-steeringWheel
Change History
1 event trackedNew listing appeared
via TheYachtMarket
3 hours ago
Financing Calculator
Financing Calculator
Estimate the true monthly cost of owning the 1983 Contessa 38.
£
15%
(£8,142)
10%
50%
6.9%
4.9%
9.9%
Monthly Finance Payment
£533
£46,139 over 10 years at 6.9% APR
Monthly Running Costs (estimated)
Mooring / berthing
£397
Insurance
£68
Maintenance
£127
Fuel
£292
Running costs subtotal
£883/mo
True Monthly Cost
£1,416
Finance + running costs combined
Finance 38%
Running costs 62%
Total Interest
£17,862
Total Cost (finance)
£72,143
Can I afford this?
£
These are estimates for illustration only. Actual rates, terms, and running costs will vary. Always seek independent financial advice before committing to marine finance.
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Boat location
Yarmouth, ENG, United Kingdom
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