Contest 33....opinions

Tim O

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Hi. Looking st a 1971 Contest 33 tomorrow.

Any opinions on these boats?...I've read an old magazine review which was very positive especially on build quality.

How about room/accommodation below...?
Any problems to look out for?
And just general thoughts

Thanks
 
I've never owned one, but sailed two belonging to friends, one with a stern cockpit and one centre.

Definitely well built and 'solid', probably not the fastest, but no slouches either and great offshore and/or in rough weather; not so great for manouvering inside tight marinas, though far from being the worst at that either, they were certainly better than either our Vega or Challenger.
Accomodation wise I recall them being very much to the 1970's 'standard' layout with the stern cockpit one feeling 'roomier' than the equivalent Rival/Nic 32/34, but I couldn't live long with the centre cockpit version; a too small stern cabin to be comfortable in and everything else squeezed-up to accomodate it.

If I was in the market for that size/type of yacht, it'd be high on my list of boats to look out for and using the same comparatives, I'd choose a stern cockpit Contest in preference to the Rival or Nicholson.
 
Re: Contest 33 - any opinions?

Too long ago to advise on spec. but there was one racing from Belfast Lough in the 70s, Tormentor, red and white hull, she was regarded as a big and expensive boat at the time and in offshore races was very much one of the boats to beat. So for her time she was fast and highly regarded.
 
Re: Contest 33 - any opinions?

Thanks folks...I didn't realise double posting was discouraged so please add any more answers on the PBO forum
 
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