Author Archives: Mark Hayman
Countess 28 Hull & Deck mouldings
For sale plus new Yanmar engine, timber and many spares. This is your chance to build the 28 to the layout you always wanted!! Contact tony.kerry@virgin.net for details.
Wanted 33′ Countess
Preferably with bilge keel and wheelhouse.
Donald Maclennan <donniemaclennan@talktalk.net>
Request for Help
The following e-mail is a request for information. Can anyone help?
I’m looking to trace the Countess 33 the my late father built in the 1980’s. It was originally christened ‘Kauai’ but I think was last named ‘Cascade’. I have lots of photos of her building/launch /old invoices etc that might be interesting to her owners plus I would love to know how she’s getting on. Lots of happy memories sailing in her when I was a kid!
If it’s the right boat there will be a brass plate with ‘John Noakes boats’ somewhere in the cabin
Replies to : chrstbenne@aol.com
For sale “Reactive” – Colvic Countess 33
£32,000 can be seen ashore at Suffolk Yacht Harbour.
For more information please contact Rod Smith tel: 01223 812025
or email: rodandmarysmith@hotmail.com
General Description
Reactive is a professionally built (by the Mylor Boatbuilding Company) ketch rigged Colvic Countess 33 with centre cockpit and fin keel. Although only 33feet/10.08m long the deep beamy hull (11ft 9in/3.6m) provides the accommodation space of many 36 to 38 ft yachts as can be seen from the approximate floor plan below.
Reactive differs slightly from this drawing in that the aft cabin settee and vanity table have been replaced by a single berth and a door now separates the aft heads from the aft cabin. The forward heads is a standard marine toilet and does not have a holding tank.
“Reactive” – Colvic Countess 33
Starting from the aft cabin, on the starboard side is a double berth with a single berth on the port side. There are storage lockers above and below the berths plus a full length hanging locker at the head of the double berth.
30 gallon diesel tank and domestic battery bank sit beneath the single berth.
Moving forward along the passageway are heads to port with a built in holding tank and a wash basin. Opposite is one of four access doors to the diesel engine.
In the main saloon to port is the navigation station with a large chart table taking a full size admiralty chart with plenty of chart storage space beneath. Brookes and Gatehouse Hercules navigation instruments, Navtex, VHF marine and domestic radios and the electric distribution panel are conveniently situated in this area.
To starboard opposite the navigation station is the top loading fridge and galley with cooker, large deep cool storage box and sink surrounded by work surfaces. Crockery and cutlery for 6 together with a comprehensive set of cooking utensils are stored safely in this area. Extensive use is made of
Two settee berths either side of the large drop leaf table comprise the saloon accommodation. 165 litre water tanks are located below the saloon sole amidships. Stowage is provided beneath, behind and above the berths. Drinks stowage is in the centre of the table.
Forward of the saloon is the main heads to port and hanging/wet locker to starboard. The door to the heads when fully opened closes off the fore-cabin. The door to the saloon can then also be closed if required.
The forward cabin contains standard v-berths. Sail stowage etc. is beneath the berths.
On Deck
At the bow is a double roller stem head fitting. A deck hatch to port contains the CQR and Bruce kedge anchors plus mooring warps and some chain, the main chain locker is below. A powerful electric Wolf windlass is fitted.
On the forward mast are 2 winches and all foresail halyards. Turning blocks at the mast foot lead all mainsail lines, halyard and reefing aft to the cockpit. Stainless steel rigging was replaced in 2008.
On the aft mast are mounted two winches There are two midship mooring cleats and 2 more on the aft quarters.
In the centre cockpit is the Whitlock pedestal mounted compass, steering wheel and engine controls. The control head for the Raymarine autohelm is fitted on the port side of the cockpit. The autohelm can be coupled to the Garmin GPS. .
Reactive is a very dry boat and the cockpit spray hood adds another level of comfort. The hood can be lowered or zipped to the removable cockpit canopy to form a large enclosed, full head height area. A table is available that clips onto the steering pedestal.
A vast locker on the starboard side provides storage space for a range of fenders, Avon inflatable dinghy, ropes and engine battery.
Aft of the cockpit is a substantial stainless steel gantry onto which is mounted a Hydrovane self- steering unit and a stainless steel swing-up swimming ladder.
Rig and Sails
· Sail Plan: Ketch
· Foresails: Genoa with roller reefing/furling – Gowen Sails
· Storm jib
· Spinnaker
· Mainsail: Fully battened with lazy jacks– Gowen Sails
· Mizzen: Fully battened – Gowen Sails
· Cruising chute
· Staysail
· Standing Rigging: stainless steel – renewed 2008
Electrical
· Engine Battery: 70AH
· Domestic Batteries: 2x105AH
· Charging: from the engine alternator or from shore power
Deck Fittings
· Anchor: 35lb CQR with 60m 8mm chain, Bruce 15kg kedge
· Windlass: Wolf electrical
· Cleats: 2 cleats plus 2x chain bits on foredeck. 2 midships cleats. 2 quarter cleats
· Winches: 4 self tailings.
· Winter boat cover
Tankage
· Water: 40 gallons
· Fuel: 30 gallons
· Fuel Cans – 2 x 15L
Galley
· Eastham Maxol Cooker: 2 burners, grill and oven
· Kettle: for gas ring plus electric for shore power
· Cutlery for 6
· Crockery for 6
· Caffetiere
· Various cooking utensils
Mechanical
· Engine: Diesel 40 hp VW Hawker Siddley Piranha
· Propeller: Maxprop 3 blade folding
· Stern gland: sealed and water lubricated eliminating the need for greasing and cleaning up surplus grease.
Navigation Equipment
· Navigation Lights
· Compass Whitestar pedestal mounted
· Autohelm: Raymarine ST6000
· GPS: 3:- Garmin cockpit mounted, Garmin Navigation station mounted and Garmin handheld
· Hydrovane self steering
· Navtex:
· VHF marine radio: Silva
· Brookes and Gatehouse Hercules instrument system providing-
Depth, boat speed, wind speed and wind direction indications both in the cockpit and at the navigation station
· VHF domestic radio with CD player
· Charts: large number mainly covering the south east coast and Holland
Safety Equipment
· Life raft: Avon 6 man – requires service
· Danbuoy
· Horseshoe lifebuoy
· Spare leather bound steering wheel
· Assorted harnesses and jackets
· Radar Reflector: demountable
· Manual bilge pump
· 2 Electric bilge pumps
· 2 Fire extinguishers
· Fire blanket
· First Aid Kit
· 2 Foghorns
· Search light
Dinghy
· Avon with oars, electric & foot pumps
· Outboard engine: Yamaha 2hp
Wanted Countess 28 Bilge Keel
Please contact Tim Burns Mail: timandlorna@gmail.com
Countess Yachts Build Plans
Have you ever wondered how your rudder is constructed or the rudder bearing is made? These, and all similar questions can now be answered as a complete set of Countess build plans are now available on a CD which provide the details of sails, rigging and details of all aspects of your Countess.
Ian Anderson’s relatives have kindly allowed us the borrow his master plans, get them scanned and digitised and make them available to COA Members. We have grouped the plans into three CDs:
Countess 28
Countess 33
Countess 37
If you wish to purchase a CD then please specify which CD you require and send your request with £10 to:
Tony Kerry
17 Canonsfield Rd
Welwyn
Herts
AL6 0PY