Contest 33 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Contest 33 interior reflects the practical Dutch sensibility of its era. The typical arrangement presents a forward double or V-berth, a compact but functional galley running along one or both sides of the main saloon, and a quarterberth tucked aft that doubles as nav station seating. The saloon settees convert to additional sleeping, giving the boat a realistic four-berth capacity for short passages. The head compartment sits between the forward cabin and the saloon, a conventional arrangement for its class and period. Variation between hulls is modest — most examples follow this same fundamental layout — though small differences in galley configuration and nav station placement do appear. Buyers should not expect the wide-open spaces of a more modern hull form; the ten-foot beam is put to efficient use, but the accommodation is purposeful rather than palatial.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

By the time a Contest 33 reaches today's brokerage market, it has usually been through at least one generation of owner upgrades, and the electronics fit of surviving examples often reflects the priorities of blue-water or coastal passage-makers. AIS transponders, chartplotters, and autopilots are commonly fitted across examples on the market, reflecting how central these systems have become to shorthanded sailing. Heating systems — diesel or gas cabin heaters — are a frequent addition, particularly on boats based in northern Europe where the model is most at home. Bow thrusters, less common on this hull size in the original production era, appear on a meaningful share of examples, often retrofitted by owners using the boat in marina-heavy cruising grounds.

Solar panels are often seen, frequently added as part of an electrical refit to support the electronics load without relying solely on engine charging. Electric winches are also often seen, usually on boats that have been set up for shorthanded or liveaboard use. Less universally fitted but far from rare are biminis, swim platforms, radar, and life rafts — equipment that tends to accumulate on boats that have been actively cruised rather than sitting idle. A life raft and offshore safety kit in good survey condition is worth treating as a significant line item if the seller's example lacks one.

The original Volvo Penta engine, a modest unit of twenty-five horsepower, remains in some hulls, though it is not uncommon to find replacement engines — either updated Volvo units or comparable alternatives — fitted by owners who found the original beyond economic service. Sails on older examples vary widely; a well-maintained wardrobe is a genuine asset, and many listings carry genoas or furling headsails added well after original production.

What to Inspect

A boat of this vintage demands a careful survey, and the Contest 33 has several areas that reward particular attention. The hull's fiberglass construction is generally regarded as solid for its era, but osmotic blistering below the waterline is a documented concern on hulls of this period and should be assessed by a qualified surveyor. Keel-to-hull joint integrity is a priority inspection point on any fin-keel boat approaching or past fifty years of age; evidence of movement, stress cracking, or weeping along the keel stub calls for close investigation before any offer is made.

The chainplates and standing rigging deserve scrutiny. On a boat of this production era, chainplates may have seen limited inspection over their service life; corrosion hidden behind liners or in closed cavities is a known failure mode. Sail dimensions for the rig are well-documented, but what matters on a survey is the condition of the spar, spreaders, and associated hardware — not the nominal measurements. Running rigging should be treated as a consumable and replaced if its history is uncertain.

Deck hardware fastenings, especially around the mast partner and any deck-stepped fittings, are worth probing for softness in the core material beneath. Teak decking, if present on a given example, should be examined for cracked caulking and fastener corrosion that can admit water to the underlying laminate.

Below decks, the bilge and the area beneath the floorboards should be dry and clean; persistent moisture suggests a plumbing, keel, or hull issue that warrants explanation. Electrical systems on a boat of this age may be a patchwork of original and retrofitted wiring; a full electrical audit is advisable regardless of what the survey reveals on structure.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Contest 33 surfaces most regularly in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France, reflecting both the model's Dutch origins and the strong tradition of coastal and offshore cruising in those markets. Examples also appear in North America from time to time, typically on the East Coast, carried there by owners who sailed them across or imported them. Buyers willing to consider a transatlantic purchase will find the broadest selection in European waters.

For a boat of its vintage and provenance, the Contest 33 holds a loyal following that keeps examples in reasonable condition — neglected hulls do surface, but so do carefully maintained boats with documented upgrade histories. The key is matching what you find to a realistic refit budget.

Before making an offer, work through this checklist:

• Commission a full out-of-water survey with osmotic assessment
• Inspect keel-to-hull joint for movement, cracks, or moisture
• Pull chainplates or confirm recent documented inspection
• Verify standing rigging age and condition; budget replacement if history is unclear
• Audit the electrical system, especially if it has been added to over multiple owners
• Confirm engine hours, service history, and impeller/heat-exchanger condition
• Check life raft certification date and offshore safety equipment completeness
• Review sail inventory condition and age — a full working wardrobe is a meaningful value component
• Assess any teak deck areas for caulking and fastener integrity