At 37ft 3in overall, with a 30ft 6in waterline, 12ft beam, and 4ft 6in draught, the 38s is a moderate-draught cruiser intended for family voyaging rather than racing. Its defining qualities are solid construction, heavy displacement, and practical cruising accommodation.
Design and Construction
Yachting Monthly described the 38s as a typical Contest of the early 1980s. Its substantial hull and deck presence reflects the yard’s pre-infusion construction philosophy of that period; Contest’s later advances in vacuum infusion postdate this model and don’t apply to its build.
The boat displaces 18,716lb. Its standard shallow, winged keel draws just 4ft 6in, a deliberate concession to shoal-water cruising and easier ground handling. Together with the skeg-hung rudder, the heavy displacement gives the 38s a forgiving rather than twitchy character.
The centre-cockpit arrangement is another defining feature. Period press noted that it allows for a spacious aft cabin, trading some midships saloon volume for private quarters aft.
Rig and Handling
Contest offered the 38s as either a ketch or a sloop. The ketch divides the sail plan for easier short-handed control, while the sloop provides a more conventional rig.
Reviewers credited the boat with easy handling for family crews. Its moderate sail plan, heavy displacement, shallow winged keel, and skeg-hung rudder favor predictable motion and forgiving manners over sparkling performance. That balance suits couples or families who value straightforward handling, although the moderate sail plan limits pace in light air.
Accommodation
The 38s has a substantially fitted interior that rewards careful inspection rather than a quick first impression. The saloon looks small, but it provides ample stowage—a useful quality on long passages, when gear tends to accumulate.
Aft, the centre-cockpit layout creates a spacious cabin with single and double bunks, plus a small en suite heads. The main heads is forward, while the forecabin is rather cramped by comparison.
The excellent galley and huge chart table are standout working areas. In particular, the chart table is a serious navigator’s desk that speaks to the boat’s bluewater intent. Taken together, the accommodation is well suited to extended cruising with a small crew.
Refits and Ownership
Production ended in 1992, so surviving Contest 38s have now seen decades of service. The solid construction and substantially fitted interiors provide a sound basis for refitting. The ketch option, in particular, lends itself to rebalancing the sail plan as the rigging ages.
Anyone considering a particular hull should look for a documented history rather than assume its condition from the marque alone.
Verdict
The Contest 38s is a thoughtfully arranged centre-cockpit cruiser whose heavy displacement and shallow winged keel prioritize stability and access to shoal anchorages over speed. Its choice of ketch or sloop rig and its easy handling make it a rational option for family voyaging. The spacious aft cabin, excellent galley, and navigator-friendly chart table remain genuinely useful cruising features.
The main compromises are the cramped forecabin and a saloon that appears modest in size, while the moderate sail plan limits light-air performance.
Pros
- Centre-cockpit layout with a spacious aft cabin and en suite heads
- Solid, heavy displacement
- Shallow winged keel fitted as standard
- Easy handling for family crews
- Choice of ketch or sloop rig
- Excellent galley and huge chart table
Cons
- Rather cramped forecabin
- Saloon appears small at first glance
- Moderate sail plan limits light-air pace
