Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the Contest 42 S was to serve as a self-sufficient, long-distance cruiser that a couple could easily manage without additional crew. To achieve this, Dick Zaal focused on creating a balanced, predictable hull shape with a deep-V entry and a heavily protected skeg-hung rudder. The center-cockpit configuration was central to this brief, placing the watch-keeper high and dry, well away from the bow wave and stern spray, while creating a secure working environment.
Stepping below deck reveals a standard of woodworking and joinery that has largely disappeared from modern serial production. Conyplex utilized premium, solid teak and high-grade veneers, hand-finished to a lustrous honey sheen. Bulkheads are structurally bonded directly to both the hull and the deck, reinforcing the entire monolithic GRP assembly. Storage is exhausive, with every conceivable void utilized for deep lockers, wet hanging lockers, and integrated bilge storage. The layout is optimized for life at sea, featuring high gimbals on the stove, robust handrails at every transition, and deep fiddles on all flat surfaces.
Variations & Configurations
While the fundamental hull and deck lines remained consistent throughout its production run, the Contest 42 S was offered with critical options to suit differing cruising regions. The draft was primarily determined by two keel profiles: a high-aspect, deep fin keel drawing 6.73 feet (2.05 meters), which optimized upwind pointing and stability, and a shallow-draft wing keel drawing approximately 5.74 feet (1.75 meters). The wing keel variant was highly popular for owners planning to cruise shoal-draft areas such as the Bahamas or the European canals, though it carries a slight compromise in ultimate pointing ability.
The interior layout was primarily owner-focused. The standard arrangement features a magnificent master aft cabin accessed via a walkthrough passage that houses either a linear galley or a dedicated navigation station. This master cabin boasts a generous centerline "French" double berth, standing headroom, and an ensuite head with a shower. Forward, a guest cabin features a traditional V-berth, supplemented by a second head. Some hulls were delivered with an additional single passage bunk tucked into the walk-through, allowing a safe, secure sea-berth near the yacht’s center of motion.
Sailing Performance & Handling
With a heavy displacement of 29,024 pounds, the Contest 42 S is a traditional, momentum-driven ocean cruiser. This physical reality is reflected in its performance metrics. Its moderate Sail Area-to-Displacement ratio (SA/Disp) of 16.3 indicates that this is not a light-wind ghoster; the boat requires a solid Force 3 to 4 breeze to truly wake up and find its groove. However, once the wind fills in, the yacht’s heavy displacement-to-length ratio (Disp/LWL) of 316.91 works to its advantage, enabling it to power effortlessly through heavy head seas and steep chop without the violent slamming motion common in modern, flat-bottomed designs.
A high ballast-to-displacement ratio of 38.17% provides an exceptional righting moment. When pushed hard under a masthead sloop rig, the yacht heels progressively to a point and then stiffens dramatically, maintaining a dry, secure deck even when close-hauled in rising winds. This inherent safety is quantified by a Capsize Screening Formula of 1.67, which is well below the strict ocean-racing limit of 2.0, verifying that the hull is highly resistant to roll-overs in survival conditions. The Comfort Ratio of 41.24 is exceptionally high, promising a gentle, slow-motion ride that minimizes crew fatigue during multi-day offshore passages.
Market Snapshot & Economics
The Contest 42 S commands a strong position on the brokerage market, typically trading at a premium compared to mass-production boats of the same era. This elevated value is directly attributable to the yacht’s pedigree, the limited number of hulls produced, and the legendary reputation of the Conyplex yard. It is a scarce model on the global market, meaning buyers must often search internationally—frequently focusing on Northern Europe and the Mediterranean where these boats were originally delivered.
Buyers should expect the purchase economics of a Contest 42 S to include a dedicated refit budget. While the underlying fiberglass structure, lead keel, and heavy-duty deck hardware are incredibly durable, components such as original teak decks, aging wiring, and legacy navigation electronics are now reaching the end of their functional lifespans. This makes a thorough pre-purchase survey essential, but for those willing to invest in a thorough refit, the yacht's structural longevity ensures it will hold its value far better than its contemporary competitors.
Known Issues & Triage
- Teak Deck Wear and Core Integrity: The standard hand-laid teak decks were constructed with robust teak planks, but after two decades of UV exposure and salt water, the caulking and plugs can fail. While the decks are vacuum-bonded, any physical screws or failing seam sealant can permit water to penetrate the balsa core of the deck sandwich, potentially leading to soft spots and core rot. Thorough moisture testing is required during any survey.
- Volvo Penta MD22 Timing Belt Neglect: The standard 59 HP Volvo Penta MD22 auxiliary engine (built on a Perkins Prima base) is highly reliable, but it uses a rubber timing belt rather than a timing chain. If this belt is not replaced at the manufacturer's recommended intervals (typically every 5 years or 1,000 hours), it can snap, resulting in catastrophic internal valve and piston damage.
- Topside Gelcoat Oxidation (Dark Hulls): Many Contest 42 S hulls were delivered in flag blue or burgundy red finishes. Without continuous, meticulous waxing, these dark pigments suffer from heavy UV oxidation, turning chalky and faded. Restoring the finish often requires a professional, costly Awlgrip respray.
Modernization & Upgrades
- Lithium (LiFePO4) Electrical Conversions: The spacious, dry engine compartment and dedicated battery lockers make the Contest 42 S an ideal candidate for modern lithium upgrades. Veteran owners are swapping out heavy lead-acid batteries for high-capacity LiFePO4 banks, often paired with high-output alternators and smart external regulators to achieve energy autonomy at anchor.
- Sails and Rigging Upgrades: To offset the conservative 16.3 SA/Disp ratio in light air, many owners are retrofitting their rigs with modern, high-aspect cruising laminate sails or upgrading to in-boom furling systems to make short-handed sail handling even safer.
- Electronics and Autopilot Redundancy: Upgrading the legacy Raymarine or B&G navigation networks to modern NMEA 2000 backbones is a standard cruiser refit. Given the yacht’s heavy displacement, installing a robust, modern linear drive autopilot (often with a redundant secondary drive) is a highly recommended upgrade for short-handed offshore passages.
The Verdict
The Contest 42 S is an exceptional, uncompromising ocean passagemaker that prioritizes crew safety, structural integrity, and traditional luxury over racing agility or maximum interior volume. For the cruising couple seeking a heavily built, sea-kindly vessel capable of weather-routing through challenging offshore conditions in comfort, this Dick Zaal design remains a premier choice.
Pros
- Uncompromising, Lloyd's-certified Dutch build quality and engineering.
- Exceptional heavy-weather comfort and tracking stability due to its high comfort and low capsize ratios.
- Safe, protected center cockpit offering superb visibility and dry watches.
- Exquisite, traditional teak joinery and interior cabinetry that outclasses modern production standards.
Cons
- Heavy displacement and conservative sail plan make the boat relatively sluggish in light air.
- Maintenance or replacement of the hand-laid teak decks can represent a significant capital expense.
- Center-cockpit design results in a smaller aft cockpit for social entertaining compared to modern aft-cockpit cruising designs.
