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Contender
Designer: Ben Lexcen  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Contender

Single-handed sailing enthusiasts have long recognized the Contender as one of the most demanding and rewarding dinghies in competitive sailing. Originally designed in the 1960s as a potential Olympic class boat, this high-performance single-hander quickly established itself as a favorite among serious racing sailors seeking an ultimate test of skill. Built for pure speed and athletic sailing, the Contender features a sleek, narrow hull that slices through water with minimal resistance. The boat's design philosophy centers on maximizing sailor input – every gust of wind and shift in conditions demands immediate response from the helm. This makes the Contender particularly well-suited for experienced sailors who thrive on the physical and mental challenges of high-performance dinghy racing. The class has maintained a devoted following in competitive sailing circles, with active racing fleets in several countries. While certainly not a boat for casual weekend sailing, the Contender rewards skilled sailors with exceptional speed and responsiveness that few other single-handed dinghies can match. Those considering this boat should be prepared for a steep learning curve but an incredibly satisfying sailing experience once mastered.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$2,500 – $2,500
typical asking price
Median $2,500  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$2,500 – $2,500 1
Rate a listing price
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About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Beam 4.67 ft / 1.42 m
Max Draft 4.33 ft / 1.32 m
Min Draft 0.33 ft / 0.10 m
Displacement 230.00 lb / 104 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 120.00 ft² / 11.15 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (Marconi)
Construction Wood/FG
Designer Ben Lexcen
First Built 1968
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 51.19
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 2.98
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 3.05
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.19
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 250.3
Find a Contender For Sale
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