Design and Construction
The Contest 42 has a solid-GRP, round-bilge hull with a short keel. Its dimensions and displacement put it firmly in the heavy-cruiser category described in period reviews. Length overall is 13.32 meters, waterline length is 10 meters, and beam is 4 meters. Sources differ on displacement, with one record listing 13.6 tonnes. Those figures produce a length-to-beam ratio of 3.26 and a displacement-length ratio of 305.
Ballast is listed as 4,250 kg, though the source marks that figure with a question mark. The immersion rate is about 258 kg/cm, or 1,449 lbs/inch, so the boat sits heavily and changes trim slowly. That is consistent with the Motion Comfort Ratio of 35.7 noted by reviewers.
Writing in yachtdatabase, reviewers recorded a capsize screening value of 1.75 and a theoretical displacement-hull speed of 7.7 knots. Together, the comfort and capsize figures describe a stable, load-carrying offshore hull rather than a light-air sprinter.
Rig, Handling, and Auxiliary Power
The ketch rig carries 78.15 square meters of sail. Its dimensions include a 10-meter IY, an 8.40-meter PY, a 4.90-meter J, and a 2.50-meter EY. This split rig favors manageable sail handling and balance offshore.
With a sail-area character suited to its mass, the Contest 42 is intended to be driven steadily rather than quickly. The short keel and round bilge suggest predictable tracking. Given the immersion and comfort figures, the hull should absorb sea state with the composure expected of a heavy-displacement cruiser.
A 52 hp Volvo Penta MD21a provides auxiliary power appropriate for moving that displacement.
Accommodations
Below deck, the Contest 42 is laid out as a genuine cruising home. It provides nine berths, two heads, and 1.96 meters of headroom throughout. The generous berth count for a 42-foot ketch reflects a layout that prioritizes guest capacity and sea-keeping livability over minimalist racing trim.
There is no pilothouse. Instead, the accommodation is organized around a conventional deck-saloon and forward or aft cabins within the 13-meter hull.
Verdict
The Contest 42 is a serious Dutch-built Zaal ketch from the late 1970s. It combines heavy displacement, a round-bilge hull, solid-GRP construction, a split rig, and a spacious nine-berth interior. The design favors offshore stability and livability over speed, while the low production count makes it a comparatively uncommon find.
The questioned ballast figure and short production run are worth noting, but the design’s comfort and capsize numbers point to a thoughtfully conceived passage-maker.
Pros
- Heavy-cruiser displacement, a Motion Comfort Ratio of 35.7, and a capsize screening value of 1.75
- Round-bilge, solid-GRP hull with a short keel for stable tracking
- Nine berths, two heads, and 1.96 m of headroom provide genuine cruising capacity
- Ketch rig with 78.15 m² of sail for manageable offshore handling
Cons
- The listed ballast figure of 4,250 kg carries a source question mark
- Only 30 were built from 1977 to 1982, making the model scarce on the market
- No pilothouse; only a conventional layout
