Design and Construction
The 9.50 is solidly and well built, with hull and deck of high-quality foam-sandwich construction using Coremat high-quality foam sandwich (Coremat). The structure carries a galvanised steel frame and steel strongback that are almost invisible under a thick layer of topcoat. Aluminium plates sit under deck fittings and aluminium reinforcements are worked into the deck, while the keel is cast iron carrying 1.45 tonnes of ballast at a 41 percent ratio. At 3.5 tonnes displacement with a 3.10-metre beam and a 1.70-metre (or 1.30-metre alternative) draught, the yacht balances a family-cruiser footprint against a ballast-heavy, easily driven hull.
Rig and Handling
Under sail the 9.50 is agile and crisp, easily brought up to speed and delivering simply sporty and fast sailing that suits both holiday cruising and club racing. The fractional sloop carries 48.3 square metres of sail with a sail-carrying capacity of 4.6, and the tiller is fitted with good bearings that give positive, low-effort control. The boat reads as an all-round family cruiser with which you can also win a regatta, a claim borne out by its quick, responsive feel on the used-boat test reported by YACHT agile and crisp under sail.
Accommodations
Inside, the Winner is pretty, spacious, and bright, with neatly finished wood and good seating throughout the saloon. The special feature is the open aft chamber: by removing the need for a bulkhead and door, the layout creates space on board, allows the galley to be enlarged, and gives access to the aft sleeping area via the navi-corner. That aft berth measures 1.34 metres, which is not enough for a restful night for two, but sea berths in the saloon and plenty of storage space compensate for a small forward wet room that separates the saloon from the foredeck. A large cockpit and the open-plan aft volume make the interior feel bigger than the 9.50-metre hull length suggests.
Known Issues
The first models had a right-angled opening to the foredeck where cracks sometimes formed under rigging load; later hulls adopted a rounded passage into the forecastle so forces are directed better. The hidden galvanised steel frame should be inspected carefully for cracks, and if rust appears anywhere the keel seam must be inspected from the outside. Deck hardware — lever clamps, winches, and blocks at the mast foot — may be reaching the end of its service life on older boats, and dark gelcoats inclined toward the sun chalk out over time. On the YACHT test boat the forestay broke on the very first outing, ending further sailing evaluation.
Refits and Ownership
Model history is modest: the only changes were the switch from single to dual-circuit cooled Yanmar engines (15 kW / 21 hp) and the later round passage into the forecastle noted above. A conscientious survey of the steel frame and keel seam is the central ownership concern rather than a programme of structural refit.
The Verdict
The Winner 9.50 is a thoughtfully laid-out Dutch cruiser-racer whose open aft chamber and foam-sandwich build give it more liveaboard room and rigidity than its length implies, at the cost of a narrow aft berth and a few ageing-components to watch.
Pros
- Agile, crisp, sporty sailing with regatta potential
- Bright, spacious, well-finished interior with enlarged galley and open aft chamber
- Solid foam-sandwich construction with hidden steel frame and aluminium-reinforced deck
Cons
- 1.34-metre aft berth too narrow for two to sleep well
- Early hulls prone to foredeck cracks; steel frame and keel seam need careful inspection
- Deck hardware and forestay on aged examples may be at end of service life
