Contest 31 HT Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Zaal’s hull measures 9.5 metres overall, with a 7.76-metre waterline, a beam of 3.14 metres, and a displacement of 5.0 tonnes. Ballast is 2.5 tonnes, fully half the displacement. YACHT described that ballast as effective and credited it with giving the boat composure.

The fin keel is bolted to the hull rather than built as a single laminated-and-ballasted unit. Two draught variants were offered, at 1.45 and 1.75 metres, with the deeper version particularly noted for its composure. A cruising version with a shallow keel was also available alongside the standard model, which was sold as an IOR cruiser-racer, rating as a half-tonner.

The boat was built in heavy, solid fiberglass laminate. YACHT called the construction very solid, though it also noted that the laminate provides little insulation.

The deck and structural details reflect period Dutch practice. The mast base was laminated over from the outside and sits on a thick wooden plate, with the mast-base screws driven into the wood. The railing feet are fastened with wood screws into wooden panels laminated beneath the deck. The genoa tracks are through-bolted and laminated over from inside.

The rudder is skeg-hung. That skeg is the boat’s one structural weak point: a crack can develop where the skeg meets the hull, requiring a lamination repair.

Rig and Handling

The Contest 31 HT has a masthead rig, with an 18.2-square-metre mainsail and a 37.5-square-metre, 106% furling genoa. The mast rises 13.5 metres above the waterline. YACHT praised the wide traveller and generous fittings.

The steering also drew consistent admiration. It was described as very easy and direct, offering amazingly direct control. That precision comes with a caveat: following waves can push the narrow stern around, and the boat tends to fiddle, demanding careful helmsmanship even though its response remains immediate. A tiller version was available, and the reviewer found it easier to manage than the wheel-steered boat.

Accommodation

Below deck, the Contest 31 HT has a fully fitted, well-built interior with five or six berths, including a quarterberth, and a midships heads. The AK variant replaces the standard aft arrangement with two single aft berths.

The longest berth measures 188 centimetres, but YACHT considered the berth dimensions very tight overall. That’s a real constraint for larger adults on a longer passage.

Tankage is generous for a boat of this size, with 100 litres of diesel and 230 litres of fresh water. No holding tank was fitted. The deep, well-protected cockpit gives the crew shelter, although its bilge pump is small.

Known Issues

In addition to the skeg crack, the original hatches usually leak, as do the windows. Both are routine owner-attention items rather than structural faults, and neither undermines the boat’s essential solidity. The heavy solid-laminate hull also offers little insulation, which affects comfort in colder climates.

A survey should specifically examine the skeg-to-hull joint, hatch seals, and window frames.

The Verdict

The Contest 31 HT is a period boat that wears its IOR lineage lightly. She rewards an attentive helm with direct, confident steering, while her substantial ballast helps her stay composed in a seaway. All of this comes in genuinely solid Dutch construction.

Tight berths and leak-prone original openings are the price of her compact 1970s footprint. For a couple or small family looking for a seaworthy classic with a distinct character, however, she remains a reasoned choice.

Pros