CONTEST 33
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 32.25 ft |
| LWL | 25.92 ft |
| Beam | 10.33 ft |
| Draft | 5.25 ft |
| Displacement | 11,574 lb |
| Ballast | 4,739.6 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.8 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 39.04 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 12.46 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 33.63 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 12.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 433.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 243.2 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 413.5 sq ft |
About the CONTEST 33
The Contest 33 is a robust, heavy-displacement cruiser designed by U. Van Essen/Dick Zaal and built by Conyplex between 1970–1975, with a total production of 188 hulls. Its substantial displacement of 11574.0 lb and high D/L ratio of 296.71 reflect a design prioritizing stability and seakeeping over pure speed, making it a classic example of late-1960s/early-1970s European cruiser design.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruisers and those seeking a stable, comfortable platform for weekend trips or moderate offshore passages, particularly owners willing to invest in maintenance. Its heavy displacement and comfort ratio of 28.67 make it less ideal for performance-focused sailors or single-handers seeking light, agile handling.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 1.83 and a displacement of 11574.0 lb, the Contest 33 demonstrates strong inherent stability and offshore suitability, though its age requires rigorous inspection of structural integrity before extended bluewater use.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Hallberg-Rassy 32 and the Nauticat 32, which share similar heavy-displacement characteristics, fin keels, and masthead sloop rigs from the same era. These vessels are comparable due to their shared focus on durability, interior volume, and offshore capability rather than racing performance.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(2 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.0 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.0 |
| 60° | 4.3 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| 75° | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.8 |
| 90° | 4.5 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.2 |
| 110° | 4.1 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.3 |
| 120° | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.3 |
| 135° | 3.4 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 7.0 |
| 150° | 2.9 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.8 |
| Beat VMG | 2.5 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Run VMG | 2.6 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 6.7 |
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
7 listings · boat years 1971–1972 · median $18,415
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 32.25ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
19 reported issues across 7 systems for the CONTEST 33, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CONTEST 33? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 19 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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