Contest 25-1 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design Brief & Intent

The Contest 25-1 was designed to transition traditional wood-accustomed sailors into the modern era of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) while retaining a conservative, seaworthy aesthetic. Unlike the light, beamy cruiser-racers that would dominate the late 1970s and 1980s, the 25-1 was built to handle the challenging, choppy waters of the North Sea and the IJsselmeer. The hull features a traditional profile with a fractional rig, a deep fin keel (which behaves more like a modified long keel in practice), and a transom-hung rudder.

The boat's interior was heavily influenced by Conyplex’s origins in high-end carpentry, utilizing rich mahogany joinery that was bonded directly to the hull. Rather than relying on a full fiberglass inner liner—a technique used by mass-production builders to cut costs—Conyplex chose traditional, hand-fitted cabinetry. The result is a warm, cabin-like accommodation plan that features four berths, a slide-out galley stove to maximize space, and a compact head compartment. This layout offered unparalleled comfort and liveability for a 25-foot vessel of its era, distinguishing it from more spartan, racing-focused competitors.

Sailing Performance & Handling

With a displacement of 5,500 pounds and a displacement-to-length ratio (D/L) of 272.85, the Contest 25-1 sits firmly in the heavy-displacement category for pocket cruisers. It does not possess the explosive acceleration or light-air agility of modern sportboats, but it rewards its helmsman with exceptional directional stability and a highly forgiving motion in a seaway. It tracks tenaciously, requiring minimal effort at the tiller.

A ballast-to-displacement ratio of 36.36% combined with its conservative 7.22-foot beam gives the 25-1 a stiff, stable feel. It carries its canvas well into a breeze, with initial tenderness giving way to a rock-solid shoulder as the hull digs in. The boat’s comfort ratio of 27.67 indicates a gentle motion that minimizes crew fatigue, a rare attribute for a boat under 26 feet. Additionally, its capsize screening ratio of 1.64 indicates excellent resistance to roll and high ultimate stability, making it an exceptionally safe option for coastal passages.

Known Issues & Triage

Given that the youngest Contest 25-1 hulls have now passed their half-century mark, prospective buyers must look past the vessel’s heavy-duty pedigree to address the inevitable realities of age.

Early GRP Osmosis: During the late 1950s and 1960s, fiberglass layup was done by hand with thick, robust laminates, but the polyester resins used were highly susceptible to moisture absorption. Many hulls from this era have suffered from osmotic blistering. While the sheer thickness of the hull means these blisters are rarely structural threats, a thorough haul-out inspection and moisture meter survey are critical before acquisition.
Bulkhead and Mast Step Compression: The deck-stepped mast is situated over the main bulkhead. Over decades of hard sailing, the heavy compression loads can cause the deck head to sag or the bulkhead underneath to distort, particularly if water has found its way into the wooden support structures.
Perished Window Seals: The original aluminum-framed portlights are prone to seal failure. Slow, persistent leaks will stain and rot the mahogany interior joinery directly beneath them. These frames must be removed, cleaned, and re-bedded with modern polyurethane sealants.
Drivetrain Wear: Many units were originally fitted with small Volvo Penta or Farymann diesel engines, or even gasoline outboards on transom brackets. Original inboard diesels are typically at the end of their reliable service life, with replacement parts becoming increasingly scarce and expensive.

Modernization & Upgrades

The robust hull of the Contest 25-1 makes it an ideal candidate for refitting, and a dedicated community of owners continues to modernize these classic pocket cruisers.

Veteran owners undertaking serious blue-water preparations—such as those configuring boats for shorthanded ocean events like the Jester Challenge—frequently focus on reinforcing the mast step area. A common and highly effective structural upgrade is the fabrication of a custom stainless steel support arch. This arch mounts directly underneath the deck head and transfers the downforce of the mast step smoothly down the door frame and into the bilge, bypassing the aging wooden bulkhead. Additionally, backing plates are typically added to the chainplates to spread the rig loads across a wider section of the hull.

The small engine bay is also a prime candidate for modernization. Replacing an obsolete, smoky, two-stroke or early-generation diesel with a modern, lightweight engine (such as a Yanmar or Beta Marine unit) is highly common. For inland and lake sailors, the 25-1 has also proven to be an excellent candidate for electric propulsion conversion, as its heavy displacement carries the weight of modern battery banks well, and the hull’s low hull speed is easily matched by 5kW to 10kW electric drives.

The Verdict

The Contest 25-1 remains a legendary "pocket cruiser" that offers the structural integrity and heavy-weather confidence of a 40-foot blue-water yacht in a highly manageable 25-foot package. It is not a boat for those who demand high-speed light-air performance or modern, wide-open interior layouts. Instead, it is a timeless, heavily built cruiser designed for the traditionalist who values safety, seakindliness, and classic Dutch craftsmanship.

Pros