Everyone agrees the Contessa 32 is a boat of great beauty. But it is only now that we discover her inspiration comes partly from a woman who had smouldering looks.

And here she is: Tessa Sadler, first wife of designer, David, who used her name to christen both his Contessa 26 and later the evergreen Contessa 32.

David is now 90 and living in New Zealand with his second wife, Di. From there he penned The Contessa Story for Yachting Monthly to celebrate the Contessa 32’s 40th anniversary.

Described as the ‘best cruiser ever’ it was interesting to see a photograph of the woman behind the name.