Contest 41 Buyer's Guide
The Contest 41 on the brokerage market is a low-volume Dutch cruiser designed by Dick Zaal and built by Conyplex B.V., with fewer than 100 examples launched from the mid eighties. She is a 41-foot masthead sloop of heavy-cruiser proportions, and a buyer shopping the used fleet should understand both her layout variants and the few points where a specific hull deserves a careful look.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common version available, though two-cabin boats also turn up, and ex-charter examples are common. The standard accommodation count is two cabins with seven berths and above-average headroom, so a three-cabin conversion or charter layout represents an owner or fleet change from the factory baseline rather than a standard offering. Either way the 750-liter fresh water and 350-liter fuel capacities support long stretches away from a dock.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Teak decks, heating, and solar are commonly fitted, and a buyer should weigh what each means: teak demands periodic caulking and inspection for below-deck leaks, while heating and solar speak to cold-climate or anchor-out use that may have stressed other systems. Commonly fitted canvas and sail-handling gear includes a dodger and both symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers, and radar with autopilot is common nav equipment. The 75 hp Volvo Penta diesel on shaft drive is the named propulsion option, and the different engine alternatives offered mean a survey must confirm exactly what sits in the engine bay.
What to Inspect
The fin keel's reduced directional stability next to a long keel is an inherent design trait, so at a viewing confirm the skeg-hung rudder and keel attachment show no impact or repair that would compound that trait. The solid fiberglass hull is simple to assess, but check the teak decks commonly fitted for soft spots and stained overhead liners that betray past leakage. With ex-charter boats common, verify the engine hours and shaft-drive alignment on the Volvo Penta installation, since charter service can shorten intervals between drivetrain overhauls.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Contest 41 is typically found in the United States and Australia. A short buyer checklist:
- Confirm whether the hull is a two- or three-cabin layout.
- Inspect teak deck seams for leakage signs.
- Verify the engine model and shaft-drive condition.
- Check rudder and keel unions for prior impact repair.
- Test the heating and solar systems if fitted.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Contest 41. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $79,000 | — |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $26,540 | -66.4% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $79,000 | +197.7% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $79,000 | 0.0% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $79,000 | 0.0% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $85 | -99.9% |
Where they're listed
Contest 41 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 5 (83.3%), followed by Australia.
Country view
6 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $79,000 | 5 | 0 | 83.3% |
| Australia | $26,540 | 1 | 0 | 16.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hallberg-Rassy 41 | 41' | $ 87,396 | 23 | 6 |
| Contest Yachts 43 | 42.65' | $ 186,444 | 13 | 5 |
| Amel Euros 41 | 40.52' | $ 46,028 | 11 | 2 |
| Conyplex 41You are here | — | $ 79,000 | 8 | 1 |
| Cheoy Lee Offshore 41 | 40.92' | $ 49,000 | 6 | 1 |