| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Yachtsnet Ltd. 2000/2011 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Yachtsnet's
archive of boat details and pictures
|
| |
The following information and photographs are displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details and photographs are normally based on one specific yacht, but could be a compilation. No reliance should be placed on other yachts of the same class being identical. Where common variations exist, we have endeavoured to indicate this in these archive details. |
|
Contest 31 (1970s) |
Brief details |
Builder |
Conyplex NV, Holland. |
A classic fin and skeg cruiser-racer from the 1970s, from a high quality Dutch builder. Unusually for a traditional yacht of this size, some also had wheel steering. An interesting alternative to a Rival 31 or Contessa 32 |
LOA |
31' 4" |
Sail area |
386 sq ft foretriangle |
LWL |
24' 11" |
Rig |
Sloop |
Beam |
9' 4" |
Cabins |
forecabin and saloon |
Draught |
4' 9" |
Berths |
5 |
Displacement |
8,380 lbs |
Engine |
Various |
Ballast |
3,530 lbs |
BHP |
typically 12 - 20 |
Keel type |
Fin and skeg with encapsulated lead ballast |
|
|
Contest Yachts was founded in 1960, and grew to become one of the larger European production builders, with a wide range of cruising yachts built. Like many European builders, the company eventually concentrated on limited production of larger models, their current range starting at 42 ft and going up to 72 ft in length. Conyplex and Contests have always had a reputation for quality construction.
The original Contest 31 was designed for Conyplex by Uus van Essen, designer of the Flying Dutchman keelboat amongst other craft, including other larger Contest models.
About 110 Contest 31s were built from 1971 to 1974. The hull is by modern standards very traditional, and shares many characteristics with yachts such as the Rivals and Contessas. These boats are all moderately fast cruiser-racers, and today will still give a better account of themselves than most modern cruisers once the wind gets up.
It is difficult to find data about many early Contests, as a major fire at the yard destroyed most of their
records in 2003. Their website entry for the Contest 31 only has one page of drawings, with no dimensions. As a result there are conflicting dimensions and weights given in various sources for this model of yacht, the problem being made worse by the fact that from 1974 onwards a different, beamier Contest 31, designed by Dick Zaal, was also built by Conyplex, this having a cruising (31) version and a racing (31HT) version. We believe the figures given here are correct. |
|
|
|
