Contest 41 - 1986 – Very keenly priced at £69,950
Built in a reassuringly traditional style, Contest yachts boast a high-quality finish and fine joinery work below decks often compared with the major Scandinavian builders.
The Dutch boat builder Conyplex has been producing yachts under the Contest brand name for over 55 years. Designer Dick Zall, had a longstanding relationship with the Contest brand and designed most of the models since the 1970’s.
This Contest 41 ‘Dutchman’ has only had three long term owners from new, and has had a lot of money lavished on professional maintenance over the years with regular equipment upgrades. Currently being sold by a highly respected director and marine industry professional, this Contest is beautifully presented, has been upgraded and modernised to discerning and experienced standards and is only being offer for sale now because of the availability of something very different which appeals to the underlying ‘competitive sailor’ in him.
The first ownership was British and owned ‘Dutchman’ for twelve years, selling to the second owner – a well healed lady – who enjoyed the yacht to be professionally skippered for twenty-three years, before the current owner took ownership four years ago.
She is a fully sorted, comfortable and roomy, blue water capable, centre-cockpit cruiser.
Be quick – this one is a rare find!
Equipment or renewal highlights include:
Recent new sails
Cutter rig with self-tacking furling staysail
Standing rigging last replaced in 2017
Volvo Penta MD50a 65hp Engine
Brunton 3 blade feathering Autoprop
Vetus M2.04 11hp Generator
Comprehensive and mostly recent electronics
Electric sheet winches
Rigid cockpit screen and roof area, with full recent canvas enclosure
Bow thruster and substantial winged keel
Many more, ‘cloud’-based photos are available, contact us for details.
Summary of Accommodation:
Six berths across two double cabins with additional saloon berths
Double cabin forward with en-suite heads access
Forward heads
Saloon, with two single sea berths
Galley
Nav Station
Walkway cabin with two bunks.
Master cabin aft with double berth and en-suite heads.
Accommodation finish:
Joinery work of teak veneer with solid teak trims.
Joinery work finished in satin finish.
Teak and holly sole boards.
Vinyl covered panels with teak trims to finish head linings.
A modern, Bluetooth audio system is fitted and all cabins are served by a hot-air heating system by Webasto.
New toilet hoses throughout in 2023
Description of accommodation from forward:
Forward Cabin:
Originally designed and built with a conventional two single berths and in-filling cushion to provide a double berth layout, the space between and below the berths’ ‘V’ layout has been subtly widened to accommodate a Vetus, twin-cylinder, indirectly-cooled generating engine. Don’t worry; the engine space is well insulated acoustically and the berth cushions have been upgraded to 6” foam, on top of a layer of anti-condensation matrix material too – after all, this has been used as the ‘Skipper’/Master cabin in previous and current ownership! The cabin space has been ‘extended’ by the fitting of a judiciously sized door in the main bulkhead, to the ‘Vestibule’ area outside the forward heads compartment, thereby facilitating the use of the whole of the forward end – incorporating the forward heads - as a ‘Master’s Cabin with an en-suite heads.
Generous storage has been provided; with a large full height hanging locker (deep, fiddle shelf over), opposite the heads compartment. Deep fiddle shelves to either hull side, beneath the fixed hull ports and a smaller locker to port side immediately within the original cabin. A combined black-out screen and mosquito screen by Oceanair is fitted.
Forward/Ensuite Heads Compartment:
This compartment, located to starboard of the centre-line, has retrospectively been modified slightly by the fitting of a double hinged door - independent of the door hinged on the main bulkhead - so that the compartment may function as a general use, ‘daytime’ heads without impinging on the privacy afforded to the forward cabin. The compartment is nicely finished in a white-laminate for cleanliness, while the deckhead is finished by the GRP headliner. A fold down seat/storage surface is fitted over the toilet unit itself. Two deep and closed lockers, each with a fiddled shelf within, offer sensible storage too and there is another, shelved locker beneath the handbasin. Pressurised hot and cold water is supplied through a shower head style of faucet/tap with a ruggedly made teak grating to offer proper shower facilities. Counter top forward with inset wash hand basin. This compartment is fitted with an opening hull portlight for light and ventilation. A small mirror is fitted to the bulkhead, behind the compartment’s door.
Saloon:
This part of the accommodation is located beneath the forward end of the low-profile coach roof’s trunking in which eight fixed and opening windows are fitted, combining with two opening hatches that are located over the table top give a well-lit and ventilated space. The saloon is fitted with a straight settee berth to port side and L-shaped saloon seating on starboard side; the berths are deeply wide and fitted with lee cloths to offer secure sea berths for night time sailing. Ample storage lockers and open storage shelving are provided to each side, above and behind the backrest to the settees, with the usual bulk storage spaces beneath the seating as well – with the stainless steel water tanks fitted to either side of the centre-line, down low and amidships, but in this design, beneath the saloon’s sole boards.
Galley:
U-shaped and located to port of the companionway, the counter tops are finished in an off-white laminate, with a bunded area of blue (but not Delft!) ceramic tiles surrounding the sinks to reduce the spread of water about the surfaces when washing up. Two deep stainless steel sinks are fitted; supplied by pressurised hot & cold water with a foot pumped, cold water back-up to reduce water usage. A front-opening fridge (beneath the aft peninsula’s work surface) is supplemented by a top-opening refrigerated locker, outboard of the sinks. A lift and slide away panel of worksurface reveals a gimballed cooker by Smev. The cooker’s hob is fitted with four burners, while there is a grill within the oven too. Two cutlery drawers are suspended above the aft work surface, beneath the forward end of the cockpit seating to port side, while crockery storage abounds within closed lockers beneath the port side deck. Large pans are accommodated in an enormous, top-accessed locker immediately abaft the cooker’s aperture and there is a large, shelved locker beneath the sinks. There is even a practical and generously sized rubbish bin provision within the end of the forward peninsular. A truly workable galley – at sea, or at rest. An opening hull portlight ensures good ventilation while cooking and combines with a similar portlight above/outboard of the chart table for cross ventilation of the main saloon generally.
Chart table area:
The chart table is genuinely generous in size (all-but half admiralty chart size) a previously used fascia to the bulkhead ahead of the navigator has been rendered redundant with the advent of modern instrumentation which is sensibly sited in the cockpit, but a recent panel has been fitted, to be outboard of the navigator’s right arm and here, the modern Fusion, Blue tooth, audio system is fitted, together with the genset’s switch and monitoring panel and a very modern ‘Nereide 2’ DC distribution panel that incorporates a digital barometric pressure display and clock, also has two USB ports. The modern B&G VHF base station is fitted here too.
Walkway Cabin:
Running aft, to starboard of the engine space and beneath the cockpit’s starboard seating (while still retaining good headroom), this cabin is provided with two bunks. The upper bunk’s base incorporates a hinged panel to afford easier access to the lower bunk when only the lower one is being used and a wooden lee board is also provided to lend security to the upper berth’s occupant. A fixed hull portlight is fitted through the hull’s side, while an opening portlight is fitted to the cockpit’s well, ensuring light and good ventilation.
Aft Cabin and Ensuite Heads:
A comfortable and secluded part of the ‘ship’, this cabin is fitted with a double berth that is offset to the port side, with access from a sole area between the berth and a small, 2-person settee to starboard side. Ahead of this seating, there is a half-height, shelved locker with a mirror fitted to the inside of its door, which combines nicely with a fiddled shelf below the locker’s door to provide a practical make-up unit. Four closed and shelved lockers to starboard side, above and outboard of the settee combine with a hanging locker to port side to provide plenty of clothing storage. A hinged headboard is provided to prevent pillows being pushed off the head of the berth. A hot air outlet ensures a comfortable sleeping space, with light and fresh air ventilation being provided by fixed hull ports, combining with an opening overhead hatch. An Oceanair black-out blind and mosquito screen unit is fitted.
Moving forward again, the generously sized ensuite heads compartment is accessed through another doorway beneath the cockpit’s port side seating. The inset hand basin is immediately on the right as one walks into this compartment with two distinct areas; the shower area with an electrically flushed marine toilet is beyond the handbasin area, where another hinged seat can be dropped over the toilet itself, either for showering, or for changing. A fixed hull port provides good light levels, while an opening portlight to the cockpit’s well ensures ventilation. An electrical extraction fan in the deckhead is also fitted. A warm air outlet is fitted to assist in the drying of the compartment.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems
Engine:
Volvo Penta MD30A four-cylinder, indirectly cooled & naturally aspirated diesel engine, rated at 65 HP drives a three-bladed Bruntons Autoprop, self-feathering propeller through a conventional stainless steel shaft.
A dripless, lip seal is fitted to the inboard end of the sterntube, with a water take-off from the engine’s raw water circuit being injected into the tube to maintain water flow through the cutlass bearings.
Engine compartment linings replaced in 2023
Electrical:
Four batteries in total are fitted, all replaced in 2023. The engine cranking battery is of 110A/hr capacity and the ‘Domestic & Services’ bank comprises of 3 x 110A/hr lead acid batteries.
Charging is by means of a 100Amp, engine-driven alternator. A solar panel with MPPT controller and a Victron 70ah/240V AC battery charger are also fitted.
The original electrical distribution system has been up-rated and features a modern, high-quality ‘Nereide 2’ touch switch panel (see above, under ‘Chart Table’).
The battery charger is rated to have a 70 amp total output, with capacity to charge three separate battery banks.
A Vetus M2.04 11hp indirectly cooled diesel generator is fitted for use when ‘off grid’ at anchor.
A 220-240V AC distribution board with circuit breakers to protect the AC circuits is located within a dedicated locker, above the galley’s work surface.
Tankage:
1 off 350 litre fuel tank.
2 off 300 litre stainless steel freshwater tanks (water tanks removed cleaned and checked in 2023)
1 off 80 litre stainless steel domestic hot water tank.
Sails and Spars
Originally supplied as a conventional, bermudan sloop on high-quality Reckmann spars with an in-mast mainsail and roller reefed headsail. In 2003 ‘Dutchman’ was fitted with an inner for’stay (parallel to the outer for’stay) with furling system and self-tacking sheet track to be able to carry a ‘Set and Forget’ staysail. The result is reported to have “transformed the low speed handling characteristics of this nearly 14 ton yacht (Fully laden) as well as simplifying its short-handed requirements” - according to her regular skipper of the time.
The standing rigging was last replaced as part of a ‘top to bottom’ overhaul of the entire rig (including the full servicing of all three roller furling systems in March 2017, but of course, being owned by the director of a local rigging company, one can be confident that the rigging of this particular vessel will be in apple-pie order!
The outer for’stay is fitted with a high-quality Reckmann furling system, while the later, inner for’stay carries a Furlex 200s system. Mast-climbing steps are fitted up to the first pair of spreaders. A Selden gas strut is fitted to the main boom’s vang.
Lines are led aft to the cockpit and through banks of rope clutches by Spinlock.
Mainsheet with fine and course adjustment
All running rigging has been replaced over the last few years
Sails:
• Vertically battened, high quality in-mast reefing mainsail, by Hood/Kemp sails & believed supplied in 2020
• Cross-cut roller reefing genoa by Ullman Sails, supplied in 2024.
• High aspect roller reefing, self-tacking Staysail by Ullman Sails, supplied in 2024.
• Cruising chute, c/w snuffer; maker & age unknown, but in good condition and sets well
• 2 X older Genoa sails, older but fully usable
• 1 X self-tacking Staysail, older but fully usable
Instrumentation
Within the cockpit:
• Four Raymarine i70 and i60 instruments giving:
- Primary wind direction and speed,
- Magnified, close hauled wind direction,
- Speed through the water.
- Depth of water.
• Raymarine Axiom 16” hybrid touch chart plotter.
• Earlier Raymarine RL80C+ combined chart plotter/radar display.
• Raymarine ST60 rudder angle indicator.
• Raymarine ST7000 autopilot control head.
• Scanstrut Rokk USB Charge point
Located alongside chart table:
• B&G V60-B fixed DSC/VHF with an integrated Class-B AIS receiver & transmitter (send & receive) new in 2023/24
New masthead VHF antenna and separate AIS antenna fitted in 2024
Deck Equipment
• Twin bow rollers, within substantial casting that accommodates a modern Rocna 33kg anchor for stowage.
• All chain anchor rode (10mm).
• Quick DP3 electric windlass, with a Quick CH1203 anchor chain counter & controller in the cockpit (New in 2023)
• All Cooney S/S fairleads including midships.
• Guard wire gateways to each side of the vessel.
• Vertical pole stowage to forward face of mast for the spinnaker/booming out pole.
• Fixed, aluminium-framed, toughened glass cockpit screen, extended in 2020, with additional height and fixed overhead roof. Providing ideal provision for secure elbow-height handholds.
• Photo-voltaic [Solar} panel to the screen’s roof fitted 2020.
• Acrylic cockpit canopy by Ocean Canvas, fitted new for 2023.
• 2 off Anderson ST52 electrically operated headsail sheet winches.
• 2 off Anderson ST40, self-tailing winches for spinnaker and/or mainsheet (1 of these electrically operated).
• 2 X Enkes halyard winches on mast
• Pair of davits to carry an inflatable tender.
• 2 off outboard engine lifting derricks in stainless steel by Forespar Ltd.
• Full, overall deck cover for protection of the decks when the vessel is laid up.
• 2 x pair of fender racks, one to each quarter.
• Deep-extending swimming ladder to transom, with teak treads for comfort.
• Fenders and warps
Safety Equipment
• Six person life raft in a cannister (New in 2020, first service now due), mounted within a cradle on the coachroof. Fitted with a hydrostatic release.
• B&G V60-B fixed DSC/VHF with an integrated Class-B AIS
• Standard Horizon HX210 handheld VHF radio.
• Offshore flare pack in floating container alongside chart table. Expiry date: 12/2024.
• 2kg carbon dioxide fire extinguisher at the companionway.
• 3kg foam fire extinguisher, also at the companionway.
• 2kg foam fire extinguisher in aft cabin.
• Gas alarm.
• Note: All gas system pipes and parts replaced in 2021/2022
General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as Liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owner’s specific needs.
Disclaimer
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The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.