Contest 45 CS Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Two interior configurations were offered from the builder — a two-cabin version and a three-cabin version — and both circulate on the used market. The three-cabin layout is the more commonly encountered arrangement, reflecting the preferences of buyers who ordered the boat with long-distance family or charter use in mind. In the three-cabin format the aft owner's suite is separated from the cockpit by a dedicated private head, giving a sense of isolation that is unusual for a 45-footer. The two-cabin layout, less frequently seen but worth seeking out for couples who want to claim the full aft portion of the boat, trades the third sleeping space for an expanded owner's stateroom that already benefits from the centered, forward-positioned cockpit — a layout decision that grants the aft cabin genuine standing headroom and natural light rather than the low, dark space common in conventional designs. Forward, a V-berth guest cabin and a second head round out both configurations. The saloon across arrangements is generous, oriented around a fixed dining table to port and a substantial chart table to starboard at the base of the companionway.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Given the purchase profile of a typical Contest 45 CS buyer, used examples arrive on the market with notably thorough equipment packages. Electric winches are commonly fitted, a reflection of both the yard's Harken and Lewmar partnership and the practical reality that buyers ordering a 45-footer with offshore aspirations invariably ticked that box. Radar, autopilot, and a chartplotter are effectively standard on boats that have changed hands — the navigation suite is rarely found wanting.

Moving into the next tier, watermakers, air conditioning, and heating systems are frequently carried aboard, as are cockpit enclosures in the form of biminis and dodgers, which protect the large, central cockpit well. Dinghy davits appear regularly on cruising-configured examples, and the vacuum-bonded teak decks offered from the factory are a common sight. Safety equipment including EPIRBs and life rafts is often carried over from the previous owner, though condition and certification dates always require independent verification.

Owner upgrades that appear with meaningful frequency include solar panel arrays and inverters — logical additions on a liveaboard-capable boat that may sit at anchor for extended periods. Bow thrusters are a frequent owner upgrade given the displacement and beam of the boat. Shorthanded sailing setups, including furling mains on the Selden in-mast system, are a factory option that shows up regularly on used examples and is considered by many buyers a genuine asset for extended passages with a small crew. Gennakers and asymmetric kites in the sail inventory indicate an owner who pushed the boat in light air; these are worth examining for condition. Cockpit showers and swim platforms appear on some examples and are considered a meaningful comfort addition in warm-water cruising use.

What to Inspect

The Contest 45 CS benefits from vacuum-infused construction and sandwich foam core structural bulkheads fully laminated into the hull, which gives the boat structural integrity well above production norms — but thorough inspection remains essential regardless of builder reputation.

The in-mast furling system deserves particular attention. The Selden hydraulic furling arrangement and the keel-stepped mast with double-spreader rig and stainless standing rigging are premium components, but mast penetrations, deck hardware, and rigging terminations should be inspected for any signs of moisture intrusion or fatigue. The keel attachment is a priority given the bulb configuration; examine the keel stub and keel bolts carefully for any weeping, staining, or soft material around the joint, and ensure the surveyor probes the surrounding hull laminate. Structural bulkheads, while noted for their robust lamination schedule, should still be checked for any signs of delamination or movement, particularly around the mast step.

The teak deck bonding method — a vacuum foil technique designed to maximize bond integrity and minimize weight — is an advantage, but any teak deck reaching beyond a decade of use warrants close examination for lifting, cracking seams, and water infiltration beneath the planks that can compromise the underlying deck laminate. Pay equal attention to chainplates and stanchion bases, which are common ingress points on any boat.

Below decks, the large cabin-top windows that define the bright interior are a strong point of the design, but their seals and surrounding bedding compounds should be tested for watertight integrity. The Yanmar 75-horsepower diesel, a robust match for the displacement, should have service records — impeller history, heat exchanger condition, and transmission service are the mechanical items most likely to require attention on a boat that has done meaningful offshore miles. If the boat carries air conditioning, the raw-water circuit is a maintenance point that owners sometimes overlook.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Contest 45 CS is a boat of principally European provenance — the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom represent the most common markets where used examples surface, reflecting both the yard's home base in Medemblik and the cruising grounds its buyers favor. Examples do reach North American waters, but buyers based in the United States or Canada may need to look across the Atlantic and factor in transport logistics.

Because annual production was deliberately limited, patience is the primary virtue when searching the used market for this model. Inventory thins quickly when a well-equipped example appears at a credible price, and buyers who arrive unprepared to move — without financing arranged, survey resources identified, or a clear sense of their specification requirements — frequently lose boats to better-organized competitors.

Buyer's checklist before committing:

• Confirm keel bolt condition and inspect bulb-to-stub joint for any staining or movement
• Survey the teak deck bonding and seams for delamination or water infiltration beneath planks
• Inspect all in-mast furling components, mast penetrations, and standing rigging terminations
• Verify service history for the Yanmar engine, with particular attention to heat exchanger, impeller, and transmission
• Test all large cabin-top window seals and hatches for watertight integrity
• Confirm certification currency on life raft and EPIRB if carried
• Review watermaker, air conditioning, and solar system service history if fitted
• Assess electric winch function under load and check motor condition
• Determine whether the two- or three-cabin layout suits your intended use before narrowing your search