Contessa 26 Association - South West Regional News

South West Regional News

Junk Rig

I bought her in mid 2006 from Canvey Island on the Thames estuary. She had been built in 1973 and sold for home completion, this never happened. As I found her she had half of an interior that had since rotted away almost entirely, no rig at all and no rudder. you can see in the photo the bare clear gel coat under the waterline.

New sponsor for Henry

Aspiring young offshore sailor, 19 year old Henry Bomby, who will be sailing solo around Britain this summer has recently received an extra boost by attaining lead sponsorship from the Seahorse restaurant in Dartmouth, run by celebrity restaurateur and writer Mitch Tonks. His voyage will start and finish in his home port of Dartmouth in June. Henry will sail his Contessa 26 ‘Seahorse’ anti-clockwise, along the way competing in the Round the Island Race, the J80 European Championships as well as climbing the three peaks. Henry said he is delighted to have such an enthusiastic partner for the project in the Seahorse restaurant.

Click to see real size

Kingswear lads win their class in the Classic Channel Regatta

Henry Bomby, the Kingswear teenager who will sail his Contessa 26, Gerunuk, solo around Britain in 2010, won his class overall in the Classic Channel regatta race which kicked off in Dartmouth last weekend. With Simon Bower, 20, as crew, the boys were the youngest competitors. Click to see real size
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South West social update

The South West dinner held on 11 April 2008 at Holne was a great success with some 20 members and non-members enjoying good company and good eats. The 2009 event will be held at the same venue on Friday March 27th 2009. All members and guests will be welcome.

Mike Brett

For details of the 2009 event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Spring Dinner

South West Branch of the Contessa 26 Class Association Spring Meet 2007.

The Spring Meet was held on Saturday 31st March 2007 in the Church House Inn near Ashburton, Devon.

It could so easily have been a nightmare.... as the email from the new landlord reproduced here testifies.

"Hello, Mike Brett

I am Andrew Wright, new landlord at the Church House Inn, Holne. I happened upon your website www.contessa26.net while doing general research and am pleased - but a little surprised that you have the above event in your diary. The previous owners have not passed this on to us, as far as I can tell, so would you be good enough to give me a call to give me an update, please.

The number is 01364 631208? Thanks"

It was a great event in the end and those who attended were David Houlton, James and Lyn Roberts, Charles and Liz Glanville, Mike and Jane Brett, Geoff Weyman, Ed Hounsell and his wife, who much enjoyed the evening.

Apologies were received from: Kay de Jersey, Jo Mooring Aldridge, John and Belinda Owen, Mike and Diana Lindsey, Peter Court-Hampton, Ken Vir, Svi.

For details of next years event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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