Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass and, as a bare laminate, asks for only a minimum of maintenance through a sailing season. Conyplex built the 41 as a monohull with a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder, carrying 9,120 pounds of lead ballast against a 27,225-pound displacement for a 33.5 percent ballast ratio. The length-to-beam ratio of 3.25 and a displacement-length ratio of 355 place her firmly among heavy cruisers; only 14 percent of comparable designs are heavier. A wetted surface of about 462 square feet and a draft that runs 6.27 to 6.57 feet depending on load round out a hull intended for stability over sprint speed. The capsize screening value of 1.68 is low enough that, by that formula alone, the design could be accepted for ocean racing, and the Motion Comfort Ratio of 40.7 makes her more comfortable in motion than 92 percent of similar sailboats.
Rig and Handling
The Contest 41 is a masthead sloop, and her rig inventory is modest: she carries more rig than only 38 percent of similar sailboats, which leaves her slightly underrigged for her size. With the ISO 8666 reference sail the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 14.1, rising to 17.1 with a 135 percent genoa, and that measure puts her faster than just 12 percent of peers in light wind. The fin keel gives splendid maneuverability in close quarters but surrenders some directional stability relative to a long-keel arrangement. A 75 hp Volvo Penta diesel on a shaft drive produces a calculated maximum of about 7.0 knots, against a theoretical displacement-hull speed of 7.6 knots.
Accommodations
Below, the 41 is laid out with two cabins and seven berths, and the headroom is above average for the class. Freshwater capacity is 750 liters and the fuel tank holds 350 liters, supporting extended cruising without frequent replenishment. The beam of 12.67 feet and the heavy-cruiser proportions yield an interior roomier than 58 percent of similar designs, a usable but not class-leading figure that suits a couple or small family on passage.
Known Issues
The fin keel's lesser directional stability compared with a long keel means she requires more active helming on a windward leg. The solid fiberglass hull below the waterline is a simple substrate to survey.
Refits and Ownership
Conyplex offered the 41 with different engine alternatives, and the Volvo Penta diesel at 75 hp is the named option; a shaft-drive transmission is standard across the model. With under 100 built, each hull is a low-volume product, and the minimum-maintenance fiberglass hull keeps ongoing ownership straightforward. The immersion rate of about 1,430 pounds per inch means load changes from added cruising gear are felt gradually rather than abruptly.
The Verdict
The Contest 41 is a thoughtfully proportioned heavy cruiser from Dick Zaal's pen, trading light-air pace and hands-off tracking for composure in a seaway and easy hull upkeep. She is a sensible choice for a buyer who values motion comfort and offshore credibility over regatta performance.
Pros
- Motion Comfort Ratio exceeds 92 percent of similar designs
- Solid fiberglass hull needs minimal seasonal maintenance
- Capsize screening suitable for ocean-racing acceptance by formula
- Generous 750-liter water and 350-liter fuel capacity
Cons
- Fin keel gives less directional stability than a long keel
- Slightly underrigged; quicker than only 12 percent of peers in light wind
- Low production volume limits fleet knowledge and spares commonality
