Contest 33 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

U. Van Essen/Dick Zaal·1970 – 1975·~188 hulls·Contest Yachts - Conyplex
Contest 33 drawingBuilder drawing
Hull type
Monohull · fin
Rig
Masthead Sloop
LOA
32.25' · 9.83 m
Displ.
11,574 lbs · 5,250 kg
First year
1970

The Contest 33 stands as a definitive example of the transition from early fiberglass experimentation to the "overbuilt" era of European cruising yachts. Launched in the early 1970s and produced by Conyplex in the Netherlands, this model was designed by Uus van Essen during a period when the shipyard was beginning to solidify its reputation for highend, bluewater capable vessels. Built under Lloyd's Register supervision, the 33 was marketed as a safe, offshorecapable cruiser that prioritized structural integrity and seakindliness over the burgeoning trend of lightweight coastal racers. It shares much of its DNA with the smaller Contest 31 and the later, more modern Contest 34, serving as a middle ground that offered true standing headroom and a separate head—luxuries that were becoming standard for the burgeoning cruising class of the era.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 22,735
Ask, not sold · 13 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
10
13 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
+15.2%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
4
United Kingdom (53.8%) · Netherlands (23.1%) · France (15.4%)

Recent Listings

11 for sale · sampled 10 newest

Where they're listed

Contest 33 listings span 4 countries. United Kingdom leads with 7 listings (53.8%), followed by Netherlands and France.

Median ask by country
USD · past 12 months
Share of listings
Count · past 12 months

Country breakdown

13 listings · 4 countries
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United Kingdom$ 19,5167453.8%
Netherlands$ 26,1803323.1%
France$ 29,0892215.4%
United States$ 69,900117.7%

Comparable models

Similar length overall, displacement, and era. Click a row to jump to that model's market page.

Peer cross-shop

11 designs · same segment
ModelLOAMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 d
Contessa 3232'$ 33,6495933
Westerly 3333.27'$ 29,0313519
Conyplex 31 HT31.17'$ 20,3622212
Contest 38s38'$ 64,591218
Hans Christian 3332.75'$ 122,500169
Conyplex 33You are here$ 22,7351310
CS 3332.67'$ 23,470117
Contest 4342.65'$ 190,82386
Moody 33 Mk II33'$ 23,79585
Cape Dory 3333.04'$ 30,00084
Conyplex 35S35.76'$ 67,48675

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Contest 33 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Contest 33 over the past 12 months is $22,735. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Contest 33 sailboats are for sale?+
10 Contest 33 listings have gone live in the last 90 days, and 13 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Contest 33 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Contest 33 has increased by 15.2% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month median.
04Where are Contest 33 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Contest 33 listings over the past 12 months are United Kingdom (53.8%), Netherlands (23.1%), France (15.4%).
05Do Contest 33 listings get price reductions?+
About 100% of Contest 33 listings have had a price reduction, with an average discount of 13.4% off the original ask. A listing that has been on the market more than 90 days without a reduction usually signals the seller is not motivated.
06What should I look at instead of a Contest 33?+
Comparable models include Contessa 32, Westerly 33, Conyplex 31 HT. See the peer cross-shop table above for pricing and availability.