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Contest 31
Designer: U. Van Essen  ·  Builder: Coniplex  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Contest 31

Built by Contest Yachts in the Netherlands, this 31-footer represents the yard's commitment to quality construction and seaworthy design. Contest has long been recognized for producing robust cruising yachts that balance performance with comfort, and the Contest 31 continues this tradition in a more compact package. The boat's Dutch pedigree shows in its solid build quality and thoughtful engineering. Contest yachts are known for their ability to handle challenging conditions while providing a comfortable sailing experience, making them popular among sailors who value reliability over flashy performance. The Contest 31 would typically feature the yard's characteristic attention to detail in both construction and finish work. This size range positions the boat well for coastal cruising and extended passages with a small crew. The Contest 31 appeals to sailors seeking a vessel that can serve as both a capable weekender and a serious passage-maker. While not designed primarily for racing, the boat should offer respectable sailing performance with the security and comfort that Contest owners expect. For couples or small families looking for a well-built cruiser with European craftsmanship, the Contest 31 represents solid value in the pre-owned market.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.16 ft / 9.50 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.42 ft / 7.14 m
Beam 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
Max Draft 4.60 ft / 1.40 m
Displacement 10,500.00 lb / 4,763 kg
Ballast 5,613.00 lb / 2,546 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 386.00 ft² / 35.86 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer U. van Essen
Builder Coniplex
First Built 1971
Last Built 1974
Related Sailboats Seafarer 31 Mki · Maxi 95 · Compass 31 Ms · Niagara 31 · Irwin 31
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 219
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
 12.92
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
 32.19
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
 1.71
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. 6.48
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.06
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. 780.76
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 36.2
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.3
P (Mainsail Luff) 29.7
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.0
SA Fore 222.63
SA Main 163.35
How It Compares

vs. Compass 31 Ms, Irwin 31, Maxi 95, Niagara 31, Seafarer 31 Mki

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Contest 31 ★
31.2 ft
Compass 31 Ms
31.2 ft
Irwin 31
31.1 ft
Maxi 95
31.2 ft
Niagara 31
31.3 ft
Seafarer 31 Mki
31.2 ft
LWL
Contest 31 ★
23.4 ft
Compass 31 Ms
25.3 ft
Irwin 31
22.3 ft
Maxi 95
25.6 ft
Niagara 31
24.3 ft
Seafarer 31 Mki
22.3 ft
Beam
Contest 31 ★
9.3 ft
Compass 31 Ms
10.2 ft
Irwin 31
9.6 ft
Maxi 95
10.5 ft
Niagara 31
10.3 ft
Seafarer 31 Mki
8.8 ft
Displacement
Contest 31 ★
10 lbs
Compass 31 Ms
11 lbs
Irwin 31
9 lbs
Maxi 95
9 lbs
Niagara 31
8 lbs
Seafarer 31 Mki
8 lbs
Ballast
Contest 31 ★
5 lbs
Compass 31 Ms
4 lbs
Irwin 31
3 lbs
Maxi 95
3 lbs
Niagara 31
3 lbs
Seafarer 31 Mki
3 lbs
Sail Area
Contest 31 ★
386 sq ft
Compass 31 Ms
462 sq ft
Irwin 31
448 sq ft
Maxi 95
402 sq ft
Niagara 31
492 sq ft
Seafarer 31 Mki
417 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Contest 31 ★
219 s/nm
Compass 31 Ms
—
Irwin 31
192 s/nm
Maxi 95
174 s/nm
Niagara 31
162 s/nm
Seafarer 31 Mki
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Contest 31 ★
12.9
Compass 31 Ms
15.0
Irwin 31
15.9
Maxi 95
14.4
Niagara 31
19.7
Seafarer 31 Mki
15.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Contest 31 ★
—
Compass 31 Ms
—
Irwin 31
39.6 %
Maxi 95
—
Niagara 31
44.4 %
Seafarer 31 Mki
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Contest 31 ★
32.2
Compass 31 Ms
28.7
Irwin 31
29.4
Maxi 95
23.5
Niagara 31
21.1
Seafarer 31 Mki
29.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Contest 31 ★
1.71
Compass 31 Ms
1.83
Irwin 31
1.81
Maxi 95
1.99
Niagara 31
2.05
Seafarer 31 Mki
1.72
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Contest 31 ★
—
Compass 31 Ms
—
Irwin 31
389
Maxi 95
—
Niagara 31
250
Seafarer 31 Mki
—
Hull Speed
Contest 31 ★
6.5 kts
Compass 31 Ms
6.7 kts
Irwin 31
6.3 kts
Maxi 95
6.8 kts
Niagara 31
6.6 kts
Seafarer 31 Mki
6.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Contest 31 ★
1.1
Compass 31 Ms
—
Irwin 31
1.1
Maxi 95
1.9
Niagara 31
2.4
Seafarer 31 Mki
1.3
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