Contest 36 S Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Contest 36 S means looking at a Dick Zaal-designed, 1984–1994 production cruiser of which 88 were built — a solid, aft-cockpit bluewater boat with high topsides and semi-flush decks. She was built for serious seagoing, and the used fleet reflects that original purpose rather than a weekend-coastal profile.
Layouts on the Used Market
The 36 S carries a forward heads and a decidedly cramped forecabin, with the living space weighted aft: a large aftercabin, a good galley, and a huge chart table dominate the interior. The saloon looks small but holds lots of stowage. Buyers should expect the forward berth to be tight and the aft cabin to be the principal sleeping space, with the chart table a defining feature for anyone who navigates seriously.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used fleet, heating, AIS, solar, lithium batteries, hot water, bimini, teak decks, radar, autopilot, chartplotter, and life raft are commonly fitted. For a buyer, the power-and-energy cluster — solar with lithium batteries and a heater — determines how independently the boat lives at anchor through a European winter. Navigation and safety gear such as AIS, radar, autopilot, chartplotter, and life raft are the consequential items; a missing life raft or autopilot is a heavier negotiation than absent cosmetic teak. Canvas and comfort (bimini, hot water, teak decks) matter for use but less for seaworthiness.
What to Inspect
The surveyed material on this model records no structural defects, rigging failures, or systems faults. The one accommodation point to verify is the forward cabin's cramped volume and the saloon's stowage count, since Yachting Monthly noted the forecabin is decidedly cramped and the saloon holds lots of stowage despite a small appearance. Inspect the aftercabin and chart table for delamination or water ingress at joins, and confirm the galley function, as the good galley is a design claim worth verifying on a specific hull.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Contest 36 S yachts typically appear in Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and United States. For a viewing, run this short check:
- Confirm the aftercabin volume matches the large-cabin claim.
- Verify saloon stowage is intact and not retrofitted away.
- Test the galley systems under load.
- Check the chart table for sound mounting and no water stains.
- Confirm lithium and solar are wired to a documented standard.
- Ensure life raft and autopilot are present if offshore use is intended.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Contest 36 S. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $35,000 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $86,251 | +146.4% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $45,457 | -47.3% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $80,737 | +77.6% |
Where they're listed
Contest 36 S listings appear across 3 countries. Belgium has the most listings with 1 (33.3%), followed by Switzerland and Netherlands.
Country view
3 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $45,457 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Switzerland | $80,737 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Netherlands | $86,251 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSY 36 | 36.5' | $ 35,637 | 29 | 15 |
| Contest 38s | 37.25' | $ 68,500 | 25 | 4 |
| Conyplex 33 | 32.25' | $ 24,500 | 13 | 2 |
| Contest 36 SYou are here | — | $ 80,737 | 3 | 1 |