Contest 34 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Contest 34 means looking at a compact-but-heavy Dutch cruiser from Dick Zaal's pen, built 1976 to 1980 with 84 hulls produced. These are boats of serious substance for their 34 feet, and the used fleet rewards a buyer who knows where the age issues sit.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Contest 34 shares the same Zaal arrangement: a far-forward engine, port-side galley with cooker, oven, fridge and sink, twin saloon settees, and a starboard-offset passage to a large foredeck bunk two metres in length and 1.80 metres across at the shoulders. Aft, a folding door by the chart table admits a cabin with a wide port berth and a long-but-narrow starboard berth, vented by a small cockpit hatch. Interior wood was offered in teak or mahogany, so buyers will see both finishes across the fleet. Headroom is generous in the saloon and wet room even if the aft cabin is low.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, Contest 34s commonly carry solar panels and a wind generator as part of a short-handed setup, reflecting owners who fitted the boat for extended off-grid cruising. Beyond that, the period Volvo diesels — a 25-horse standard or the 36-hp unit seen on some — remain the propulsion, and the original gas instantaneous water heater is a known hazard worth replacing. A buyer should verify any energy upgrades are matched to the boat's 33-gallon fuel and 85-gallon water capacity rather than judging by appearance alone.
What to Inspect
The most documented defect is the hull's circumferential seam: its polyester filler absorbs moisture and crumbles out over the decades anchor. Dick Zaal's own remedy is to sand the seam and seal it with epoxy filler anchor. Osmosis can occur on these hulls, so a moisture survey is warranted anchor. The factory-fit gas instant water heater is a carbon-monoxide danger afloat and must be confirmed gone. Softened core materials are not a known problem given the solid laminate build anchor.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Contest 34s typically appear in the United States, Grenada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. For a buyer, the checklist is short but firm: confirm the seam has been epoxied, survey for osmosis, remove any gas water heater, and check the Volvo's cooling type. A sound example is a steady, spacious passage-maker with a uniquely bonded keel structure.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Contest 34. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 2 | $35,453 | — |
| Jul 26 | 3 | $45,000 | +26.9% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $45,000 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Contest 34 listings appear across 4 countries. Grenada has the most listings with 3 (50.0%), followed by Germany and United Kingdom.
Country view
6 listings · 4 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grenada | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 50.0% |
| Germany | $33,536 | 1 | 0 | 16.7% |
| United Kingdom | $37,370 | 1 | 0 | 16.7% |
| United States | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 16.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
8 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Rogers 32 | 32' | $ 31,457 | 71 | 16 |
| Sadler 34 | 34.75' | $ 33,981 | 22 | 4 |
| Moody 34 | 33.42' | $ 43,432 | 19 | 2 |
| Sparkman and Stephens S&S 34 | 33.42' | $ 27,379 | 17 | 3 |
| Conyplex 33 | 32.25' | $ 24,500 | 13 | 2 |
| Sweden Yachts C34 | 34' | $ 51,265 | 12 | 3 |
| Malö 34 | 34.78' | $ 67,961 | 9 | 2 |
| Contest 34You are here | — | $ 45,000 | 7 | 5 |