Contest 48 S Ketch Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

LOA

48.23' · 14.7 m

The Contest 48 S Ketch is a quintessential example of the "Dutch approach" to bluewater cruising: a robust, Lloyd’scertified vessel designed for highlatitude exploration and effortless passagemaking. Developed by Conyplex in Medemblik and designed by the prolific Dick Zaal, this model evolved from the successful Contest 46, often utilizing the same foundational hull but extending the transom to a "sugar scoop" configuration that increased the waterline length and provided easier water access. Built during an era when the shipyard transitioned from serial production to semicustom luxury, the 48 S was constructed to withstand significant offshore stress, featuring a hulltodeck joint that is fiberglassed together rather than mechanically fastened—a hallmark of the yard's commitment to structural integrity. While earlier Contest 48s were produced in limited numbers in the late 1970s, the "S" variant of the 1980s and early 1990s represents the design's maturity, balancing a heavy displacement profile with a versatile ketch rig that appeals to shorthanded crews.