Design and Construction
The 36 S was conceived for serious seagoing both above and below decks, and the hull numbers tell that story without embellishment. At 29ft 2in on the waterline against 35ft 10in overall, she is a comparatively low-waterline-length hull for her length, giving a displacement-to-length ratio near 287 — a number that marks a boat built to carry load and track in a seaway rather than sprint. The 11ft 8in beam and 5ft 5in draft fin keel with skeg-hung rudder describe a predictable, directional hull. Yachting Monthly characterized her as a substantial cruising yacht with high topsides and semi-flush decks, and the 7.24-knot hull speed is the natural consequence of that long-heavy form.
Rig and Handling
Her masthead sloop rig carries 703 square feet of sail area, yielding a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.72 — modest, and consistent with Yachting Monthly's judgment that performance is not special but better than her predecessor. The 59ft 2in mast height from the waterline and the 1.85 capsize screening ratio place her in the stable-ocean-cruiser band. She is not a light-air flyer, but the numbers and the period test report from April 1986 describe a boat whose improvements over the earlier generation were real without being dramatic.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon reads smaller than it is but earns its keep through lots of stowage, a virtue on a boat meant for extended passages. The layout places the heads forward, with a decidedly cramped forecabin that suits a single berth or storage more than a couple's quarters. The compensation is a large aftercabin aft and a good galley positioned for sea-kindly use. A huge chart table dominates the nav station, a feature that underscores the serious-cruising intent and gives a navigator room to work paper or electronic charts without encroaching on the saloon. The 30.1 comfort ratio is among the higher figures for a boat this size and reflects the volume and ballast-driven steadiness of the accommodation platform.
Known Issues
The material on this model is sparse on defects; the only accommodation critique of consequence is the cramped forward cabin, a design characteristic rather than a defect, and the saloon's visually modest footprint, which the stowage compensates for. A buyer should understand that no safety-relevant flooding paths, drainage failures, or construction defects for this design have been recorded.
The Verdict
The Contest 36 S is a thoughtfully evolved Zaal design that trades sparkling performance for seagoing substance. Her accommodations are pragmatic rather than luxurious, with a weak forward cabin offset by a large aft cabin, serious stowage, and a navigator's chart table that few 36-footers match. For a couple or single-hander intending offshore work, the heavy-displacement hull and lead-ballast stability are the headline; the unremarkable sail plan is the trade-off.
Pros
- Serious seagoing design intent above and below decks
- High ballast ratio (40%) with lead ballast for offshore stability
- Large aftercabin and huge chart table for cruising
- Abundant saloon stowage despite compact appearance
Cons
- Performance unremarkable, though improved over predecessor
- Forecabin decidedly cramped
- Saloon appears small at first glance
