CONTEST 42S
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 41.17 ft |
| LWL | 34.45 ft |
| Beam | 12.8 ft |
| Draft | 6.73 ft |
| Displacement | 29,024 lb |
| Ballast | 11,078.5 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.9 kn |
About the CONTEST 42S
Winged keel: draft 1.75m / 5.67ft; ballast 5450kg / 12015lbs.
The Contest 42S is a rare, high-performance cruising sloop designed by Dick Zaal and built by Contest Yachts between 1998 and 2002, with only 9 hulls produced. Its scarcity and pedigree make it a unique collector's item among modern performance cruisers.
- Best for:
- This boat suits experienced sailors seeking a fast, responsive coastal cruiser with offshore capability, particularly those who value the Contest brand's build quality and performance-oriented design.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 29024.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.67, the boat offers substantial stability and seakeeping ability suitable for offshore passages, supported by its robust construction and proven hull form.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Nauticat 42 and Beneteau First 42, which share similar performance-oriented hull forms and target the same market of active cruisers, though the Contest 42S distinguishes itself with its heavier displacement and specialized racing pedigree.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CONTEST 42S yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 41.17ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the CONTEST 42Syet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a CONTEST 42S? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your CONTEST 42S?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the CONTEST 42S
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…