Contest Yachts - Advice Needed

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Optimist73

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I am considering buying a 25 year old Dutch-built 'Contest 35S', but can find very little specific information about its sailing characteristics or its construction strengths/weaknesses. Can anybody help? The boat certainly seems well made, is in good condition, has had much original equipment replaced, looks pretty and has the accommodation I'm looking for. Are there any particular possible problems or (hopefully) joys I should be aware of?
 
My brother has just traded his Contest 35S in at the builde'rs yard against a Contest 42. If you are looking for a very good example then look at his old one as he recently spent a lot of money on new sails and canvas work including a new cockpit enclosure. He took it to the Contest rally in July and won the award for the best maintained old Contest. He had no intention of changing, but fell for the extra space.

His 35S came without teak decks, which was rare, but does mean no future bill for replacement. I believe there were some variations in interior layout, his had an extra toilet in the forward cabin.

Main consideration would be to check for any delamination of the sandwich core in the deck and topsides. Generally very well built and an under rated cruising boat.
 
Many thanks Concerto. I think it must be your brother's boat that I'm considering making an offer for! BTW, would you expect a professional survey to identify such delamination, even if not specifically requested?
 
Optimist73 said:
BTW, would you expect a professional survey to identify such delamination, even if not specifically requested?
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You could give it a good once over yourself. Surveyors frequently use small hammers, but there's a bit of an art to doing that without damaging the gel coat, so maybe not a good idea to try that at home. I've found using a socket from a socket set is handy. Just move along the sides gently taping it with the socket - any delamination should readily show up as a duller sound than elsewhere.

A professional survey should definitely include checking the integrity of the hull and deck. It would be a key part of any survey.

I berthed next to a Contest 44 for a year. Chatted to the owners quite a few times. They definitely seem well-built good quality cruising boats. Quite heavy - I think the 44 footer was 18 tons - so don't expect to win any serious races. To my mind they're competitors to the HR & Najad type yachts.
 
Is this the model with the comedy folding aft cabin door?
Sailed on one a couple of times, including in some strong breeze.
Nice boat.
The folding door was irritating, the veneer around the companionway should perhaps have been solid wood, but a very nice boat on the whole.
Solid but not slow.
You will need to learn the right way to frown at people who call it a Contessa.....
 
Optimist73 said:
Many thanks Concerto. I think it must be your brother's boat that I'm considering making an offer for! BTW, would you expect a professional survey to identify such delamination, even if not specifically requested?
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No delamination on his boat. He is a perfectionist with all his work on a boat. Everything will be working and properly serviced. I have no hesitation in recommending his boat. I can never remember the name, it is something like Felbreda III (the original name by the late original owner who was a RYS member and kept the boat in France). If it is definitely this boat I can ask my brother to see if he would have a chat with you, if so I will PM you.
 
Hi (I'm Jonic)

I'm a specialist blue water and quality cruising yacht broker and a few months ago a client asked me to sell a Contest yacht.

I listed her for sale but quickly fell in love.

So I bought her for myself, totally re-fitted her and COULD NOT BE HAPPIER.

She is a wing keel 36s but has the same fractional rig as the 35.

Last week in the Solent she effortlessly pulled away from much larger yachts and easily sailed closer to windward.

She is fast, responsive and a very comfortable cruising yacht.

They are balsa cored so a good survey is essential but the build quality is high and uses quality materials. We have several core samples and the layup is impressive.

Imho they are getting right up there with Rassy, Malo and Najad etc.

An underrated cruiser that was probably ahead of it's time, I shall definitely be seeking more Contests for the brokerage now I have really got to know one.

Yachting Monthly has some good reviews via their copy service on this site. http://marinedirectory.ybw.com/reprints/results1.jsp?tem=ybw&search=1&mby=1

And some pics of mine are here http://theyachtseraphim.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/a-new-yacht.html

and here http://www.jryachts.com/boat-details?boatid=1136474
 
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We have a 1978 Contest 42 (Hull No. 3) ketch rig and are delighted with her - she may not be fast, but she has looked after us and is a solid blue water boat.

Survey this year found nothing structurally wrong and the hull was tapped all over by a hammer! No delamination.

A very under-rated yacht in our view - two Atlantic circuits and a number of years in the Caribbean has demonstrated her worth.

A great yacht.
 
Very many thanks to everyone who has posted input/advice - all much appreciated. Contest yachts are clearly held in very high regard & I hope to become the proud owner of one soon. Fingers crossed my offer is accepted ..... !
 
Optimist73 said:
Very many thanks to everyone who has posted input/advice - all much appreciated. Contest yachts are clearly held in very high regard & I hope to become the proud owner of one soon. Fingers crossed my offer is accepted ..... !
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All the best with it. :encouragement:

Let us know how you get on.
 
Success! Offer accepted (oh dear, does this mean I've paid too much ....?), but I'm really looking forward to some great sailing with my family. Once again, thanks to all.
 
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