Design and Construction
The hull is fiberglass, built to the standards of Dutch commercial boat-building rather than the lighter scantlings that were appearing in some contemporaneous production designs. The fin keel carries 4,740 pounds of ballast against an 11,574-pound displacement, a ratio that speaks to the designer's priority of stiffness and directional stability over the lighter, more tender approach favored in purely racing-oriented designs. At 32.25 feet on deck with a 25.92-foot waterline, the hull is moderately long-ended by early-seventies standards. The 10.33-foot beam gives reasonable interior volume without the excessive width that can compromise upwind performance in a breeze. Maximum draft of 5.25 feet keeps the keel deep enough for meaningful upwind work while remaining viable in the tidal harbors of northern Europe where most of these boats have spent their lives.
Rig and Sail Plan
The Contest 33 carries a sloop rig with modest, well-proportioned sail area. The mainsail luff of 33.63 feet and foot of 10.5 feet produces a working mainsail of roughly 182 square feet — sensible for a boat intended to be handled by a small crew in variable North Sea conditions. The foretriangle is defined by an I dimension of 39.04 feet and a J of 12.46 feet, which supports a range of headsails from a working jib at 90 percent LP through to a 150 percent light-air genoa for reaching in lighter conditions. The availability of storm jib dimensions in the original specification — a 19.75-foot luff with a foot of 9.75 feet — underscores that Zaal, van Essen, and the yard conceived of this as a genuine cruising boat capable of being properly reefed and storm-canvassed rather than one that assumed perpetual benign conditions. The rig proportions lean toward conservative sail area, which rewards the short-handed passage maker and reduces the urgency of reefing in a building breeze.
Handling and Offshore Character
The combination of fin keel, moderate beam, and a displacement-to-length ratio that sits in the heavy-cruiser range produces a boat that prioritizes sea-keeping over sprint speed. The Volvo Penta auxiliary of 25 horsepower is adequate for harbor maneuvering and calm-water motoring in a hull of this weight, though upwind motoring in a steep chop will reveal the limits of that power margin. The 5.25-foot draft means the boat tracks well and resists leeway without the deep fin that would limit harbor access. For coastal cruising with some offshore capability, the design brief is honestly stated and honestly met. These are boats that reward owners who sail them purposefully and maintain realistic expectations about passage times in light airs.
Accommodations
The 10.33-foot beam and a hull form typical of Dutch production practice from this era provide a practical, if not lavish, interior for two adults making passages. The moderately beamy 25.92-foot waterline supports reasonable saloon volume and berth length without the compromised headroom that afflicts some contemporaries with shorter, fuller hulls. Contest's reputation for robust construction carries through to the interior joinery: functional rather than opulent, and better suited to the North Sea and Channel conditions the boat was designed to meet than to warm-weather charter work requiring resort-style finishes.
Known Issues and Ownership Considerations
The fiberglass construction of early-seventies Dutch production reflects the learning curve of the industry at that time: hulls are generally well-laminated but may exhibit the osmotic blistering that affected many boats of this generation, particularly those that have spent extended periods in warm water or been poorly maintained out of the water. The 5.25-foot draft means keel-to-hull bonding is a condition survey priority on any individual boat. Fifty-year-old standing rigging, chainplates, and through-hulls should be treated as items requiring replacement regardless of apparent condition. The Volvo Penta engine installations have survived in varying states of care; a compression test and raw-water system inspection are minimum due diligence for any prospective buyer.
The Verdict
The Contest 33 is a product of the Dutch pragmatic tradition: built by Contest Yachts in Medemblik with durability and genuine sea-keeping as the primary design goals, and carrying the measured proportions of Uus van Essen and Dick Zaal across a respectable production run. It is not a boat for sailors whose primary interest is performance benchmarks or spacious living; it is a boat for those who want to go sailing reliably, in deteriorating conditions, without drama. The conservative sail plan and heavy-cruiser displacement demand patience in light air and reward competence in a blow.
Pros
- Robust Dutch construction with a long-established yard behind the design
- Conservatively proportioned rig suits short-handed sailing and progressive sail reduction
- Deep fin keel gives meaningful upwind ability and strong directional stability
- Honest offshore capability in a compact, manageable package
- Well-represented in northern European waters with a community of experienced owners
Cons
- Heavy displacement-to-length ratio means modest performance in light conditions
- 25-horsepower auxiliary leaves little margin for adverse current or steep head seas under power
- Osmotic blistering common in boats of this era and construction method
- Interior volume is functional rather than generous for extended liveaboard use
- Age of production means all standing rigging, chainplates, and through-hulls warrant replacement as a baseline
