CONTEST 36S
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 35.83 ft |
| LWL | 29.2 ft |
| Beam | 11.65 ft |
| Draft | 6.23 ft |
| Displacement | 15,984 lb |
| Ballast | 6,393.6 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 46.92 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 15.35 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 41.17 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11.55 ft |
| FLforestay | 15.4 ft |
| Mainsail | 616.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 360.1 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 612.2 sq ft |
About the CONTEST 36S
Shoal draft wing keel also available. Draft: 1.45m / 4.75 ft; Displacement: 7,850 kg / 17,306 lbs; Ballast: 3,500kg / 7,716 lbs. SA (reported) = Main + Genoa Also available with fractional sloop rig.
Designed by Dick Zaal and built by Conyplex, the Contest 36S is a robust cruising sloop with 88 hulls produced between 1984 and 1994. Its substantial displacement of 15984.0 lb and comfort ratio of 30.1 reflect a design prioritizing stability and seakeeping over pure speed.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal and offshore cruisers who value a heavy, stable platform for comfortable passage-making, particularly those willing to manage structural maintenance.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.85 and high displacement, the 36S is well-suited for bluewater cruising, though owners must vigilantly monitor structural integrity to ensure offshore safety.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other heavy-displacement European cruisers from the 1980s and early 1990s, such as the Hallberg-Rassy 36 or Nauticat 36, due to similar build quality, displacement, and cruising-oriented performance.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
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 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.2 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.5 | 1.9 |
| 60° | 3.4 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| 75° | 3.6 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.3 |
| 90° | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.7 |
| 110° | 3.6 | 5.0 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| 120° | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.9 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 8.7 |
| 135° | 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 8.7 |
| 150° | 2.5 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 8.1 |
| Beat VMG | 2.0 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Run VMG | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.4 |
Market Price
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 35.83ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
17 reported issues across 8 systems for the CONTEST 36S, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CONTEST 36S? 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 17 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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Used sails that fit the CONTEST 36S
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