Contest 34

Bellinos

Bellinos

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Hello all. I’m now at last actively looking and shopping. My home waters will be Bristol Channel. I’m scheduled to go and see a Contest 34 in Brighton and hopefully soon a Moody 30 in Bristol. Any owners out there who can advise? I’ve seen threads on Moody 30’s but not contest 34
 
Never owned a Contest 34, but have sailed on one several times.
Nice boat, solid, handles a bit of weather.
Solid windscreen/sprayhood window is quite nice, but perhaps defines it as 'not a racer'.
Not many in the UK and plagued by confusion with Contessas.

I think a 30 foot boat will feel much smaller when you're out in some breeze and sea.
Or when 3 adults are aboard.

But all these boats have miles on the clock now, the condition of the individual boat and the deal on the table is more important than the reputation of the average of any design IMHO.
 
Viewed a Contest 35 when we were looking to buy last year.
Boat looked extremely well built (and maintained) - they age well when they have been looked after.
Was tempted, however under sail she was just a tad too sedate for my liking.
But, OTOH, that might be just what you want depending on your personal condition and desires.
 
That particular Contest seems to have a big new engine fitted and a 3 blade prop.
Plus the sails are listed as 'unknown year'.

Personally I'd be wanting a folding/feathering prop and some decent sails.

Any boat ends up costing more than the headline price.
 
It is a cheap boat - and it does have a big TV! You can't have everything for £20k, although the mainsail system does look a bit odd.
 
TernVI said:
That particular Contest seems to have a big new engine fitted and a 3 blade prop.
Plus the sails are listed as 'unknown year'.

Personally I'd be wanting a folding/feathering prop and some decent sails.

Any boat ends up costing more than the headline price.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I guess I’d be looking to live with it for a while if I could but I hope with a little elbow grease it would hold its value
 
Koeketiene said:
Viewed a Contest 35 when we were looking to buy last year.
Boat looked extremely well built (and maintained) - they age well when they have been looked after.
Was tempted, however under sail she was just a tad too sedate for my liking.
But, OTOH, that might be just what you want depending on your personal condition and desires.
Click to expand...
Tranona said:
It is a cheap boat - and it does have a big TV! You can't have everything for £20k, although the mainsail system does look a bit odd.
Click to expand...
Koeketiene said:
Viewed a Contest 35 when we were looking to buy last year.
Boat looked extremely well built (and maintained) - they age well when they have been looked after.
Was tempted, however under sail she was just a tad too sedate for my liking.
But, OTOH, that might be just what you want depending on your personal condition and desires.
Click to expand...
Thanks maybe that would be good for my first grown up boat ;) thanks for the advice ?
 
TernVI said:
Never owned a Contest 34, but have sailed on one several times.
Nice boat, solid, handles a bit of weather.
Solid windscreen/sprayhood window is quite nice, but perhaps defines it as 'not a racer'.
Not many in the UK and plagued by confusion with Contessas.

I think a 30 foot boat will feel much smaller when you're out in some breeze and sea.
Or when 3 adults are aboard.

But all these boats have miles on the clock now, the condition of the individual boat and the deal on the table is more important than the reputation of the average of any design IMHO.
Click to expand...
Thanks, contessa is also attractive but maybe not so comfortabl?
 
Looking again at the Contest photos, she certainly needs a good clean and some tlc. The recent engine is a big plus being a Beta, not a Volvo. I would suggest the sails will need replacement in the near future and probably the standing rigging. The self steering and cockpit canopy are worthwhile extras. Be aware you can spend a fortune in getting a boat up to a good standard. I should know as I have been renovating my Westerly Fulmar to an as close to new standard over the past 6 years and currently working on the internal woodwork. This PowerPoint presentation I made should help with some good pointers and how a boat can change.
https://wiki.westerly-owners.co.uk/images/3/3f/Concerto.pdf
 
Bellinos said:
Thanks, I guess I’d be looking to live with it for a while if I could but I hope with a little elbow grease it would hold its value
Click to expand...

A nice hope. You must pay the right price for it so as not to lose money when you sell.

I have only lost on one boat purchase to selling price. When you add in your improvements and look again it can be sobering................... :(
 
My boat is on the same pontoon as the Contest in Brighton, it's a quality boat (as all Contests are) and at that asking price given the current state of the market will almost certainly sell quickly. There are some really nice to haves - replacement engine, self tailing sheet winches, windvane steering & there's what looks like a drip feed diesel heater fitted but, as others have said, it will likely need sails & standing rigging. Also needs lifting out for clean and antifoul, tidying up of external woodwork & replacement of at least some of the running rigging. Personally I'd choose a boat that's got the replacement engine but needs sails & standing rigging over one that has recent sails & standing rigging but needs a replacement engine. Note that it has the unusual behind the mast but not inside the mast furling mainsail arrangement - that will detract from performance but assuming it all works as it should means easier sail handling. It's a cruising boat not a racer and you could sail anywhere with it. It will also make a comfortable liveaboard if that's what you're looking for. Make sure all the seacocks work, check electrics, ask that the engine be started up, look for any smoke, have a look at the oil in the engine - filthy dirty black not so good, clean, fresh oil good, any signs of water ingress anywhere, etc., etc. Bear in mind that the Contest is over 10m so depending on where you might be intending to keep her that can make a significant difference. She clearly needs some love but could be a great boat to have and if it were me I'd absolutely choose the Contest...
 
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V1701 said:
My boat is on the same pontoon as the Contest in Brighton, it's a quality boat (as all Contests are) and at that asking price given the current state of the market will almost certainly sell quickly. There are some really nice to haves - replacement engine, self tailing sheet winches, windvane steering & there's what looks like a drip feed diesel heater fitted but, as others have said, it will likely need sails & standing rigging. Also needs lifting out for clean and antifoul, tidying up of external woodwork & replacement of at least some of the running rigging. Personally I'd choose a boat that's got the replacement engine but needs sails & standing rigging over one that has recent sails & standing rigging but needs a replacement engine. Note that it has the unusual behind the mast but not inside the mast furling mainsail arrangement - that will detract from performance but assuming it all works as it should means easier sail handling. It's a cruising boat not a racer and you could sail anywhere with it. It will also make a comfortable liveaboard if that's what you're looking for. Make sure all the seacocks work, check electrics, ask that the engine be started up, look for any smoke, have a look at the oil in the engine - filthy dirty black not so good, clean, fresh oil good, any signs of water ingress anywhere, etc., etc. Bear in mind that the Contest is over 10m so depending on where you might be intending to keep her that can make a significant difference. She clearly needs some love but could be a great boat to have and if it were me I'd absolutely choose the Contest...
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for that I’m going to see her (COVID-19 gods willing) on the 19th so maybe I’ll see you too. I’ve been looking at the old furling system and you’re right it seems that many cruisers on a budget rate them highly. I agree about the engine replacement my dads old westerly‘s one died and it cost as much as the boat value to fit another. It looks like I could get a swinging mooring in cardiff bay that pretty reasonable via cardiff yacht club or at Barry which is tidal; not sure if one is available but I won’t hassle them unless it looks like things are firming up. I’ve pressed ganged my dad for a sail down the road from Brighton so he’s going to come so at least one of can suck teeth and shake heads convincingly. It looks like a potential labour of love and something that could build up competence and confidence for me to go from brown water sailing out to some amazing locations plus the yacht clubs do rallies to Lundy, Ireland and Scilly from clubs in Cardiff, Barry and the like.
 
rotrax said:
A nice hope. You must pay the right price for it so as not to lose money when you sell.

I have only lost on one boat purchase to selling price. When you add in your improvements and look again it can be sobering................... :(
Click to expand...
You’re right yes, I need to work out worse case scenario, I’ve looked at what new sails would cost but am struggling with rigging costs, plumbing, electrical, wood work, scrubbing I’m ok with that mostly with advice, fibreglass and pretty paint job; that would be new
 
All best wishes for the 19th. I suspect rigging rather depends on what you do but I would be looking at contacting a rigger before then - maybe there is one in Brighton who would give you a guide price in advance . Hopefully at least no headlining issues but it looks like a boat which might benefit from tidying in a number of areas eg new heads etc. I do wonder if rerigging you want to leave the main sheet track where it is or if it could be moved somehow which would be my main concern. If the winches need replacing could also be quite pricey.
 
Thanks yes that’s a good ide. It looks like from the pictures there is a lack of headlining in places- it’s a pig but I’ve done in a campervan. Like you say other stuff could prevent use and be unaffordable which would hurt!
 
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