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Contest 40S
Designer: Dick Zaal  ·  Builder: Conyplex  ·  First built: 1993
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About the Contest 40S

Built by Dutch yard Conyplex between 1993 and 1997, this Dick Zaal-designed cruiser represents quality European yacht building during the 1990s. With only 30 hulls produced, the Contest 40S offers exclusivity alongside proven sailing characteristics for serious cruising sailors. The yacht's substantial 26,000-pound displacement and generous 10,000-pound ballast create exceptional stability and seaworthiness for offshore passages. Her fin keel with rudder-on-skeg configuration strikes an ideal balance between performance and directional stability, while the masthead sloop rig provides versatile sail handling options across varying conditions. Notable design strengths include the boat's impressive comfort ratio of 40.82, indicating excellent motion characteristics in seaway conditions—a hallmark of quality cruising designs. The conservative capsize screening formula of 1.71 reinforces her offshore capabilities, while the SA/Displacement ratio of 14.04 suggests respectable sailing performance without sacrificing the stability serious cruisers demand. This vessel excels in blue water cruising applications where comfort, safety, and reliability matter most. The combination of Dutch build quality, thoughtful design proportions, and proven seaworthiness makes the Contest 40S an attractive choice for couples or small crews planning extended coastal and offshore voyages.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.67 ft / 12.09 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.80 ft / 9.39 m
Beam 12.67 ft / 3.86 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 26,000.00 lb / 11,793 kg
Ballast 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 767.00 ft² / 71.26 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Dick Zaal
Builder Conyplex
First Built 1993
Last Built 1997
Number Built 30
Related Sailboats ["X 402" · "J/39" · "Hanse 400 2006 2007" · "Centurion 40" · "Hunter 40"]
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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
 186
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
 14.04
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 38.46
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 397.26
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
 40.82
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. 7.44 kn
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
 0.98
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. 1,394.36 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 14.03
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 55.45 ft / 16.90 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.58 ft / 4.75 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.56 ft / 14.80 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.78 ft / 4.20 m
SA Fore 431.96 ft² / 40.13 m²
SA Main 334.58 ft² / 31.08 m²
SA Total (100%) 766.54 ft² / 71.21 m²
Est. Forestay Length 57.60 ft / 17.56 m
How It Compares

vs. Centurion 40, Hanse 400 2006 2007, J/39

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Contest 40S ★
39.7 ft
Centurion 40
39.6 ft
Hanse 400 2006 2007
39.7 ft
J/39
39.8 ft
LWL
Contest 40S ★
30.8 ft
Centurion 40
32.8 ft
Hanse 400 2006 2007
35.4 ft
J/39
33.5 ft
Beam
Contest 40S ★
12.7 ft
Centurion 40
13.4 ft
Hanse 400 2006 2007
13.3 ft
J/39
13.0 ft
Displacement
Contest 40S ★
26 lbs
Centurion 40
20 lbs
Hanse 400 2006 2007
18 lbs
J/39
16 lbs
Ballast
Contest 40S ★
10 lbs
Centurion 40
7 lbs
Hanse 400 2006 2007
5 lbs
J/39
6 lbs
Sail Area
Contest 40S ★
767 sq ft
Centurion 40
1 sq ft
Hanse 400 2006 2007
1 sq ft
J/39
720 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Contest 40S ★
186 s/nm
Centurion 40
111 s/nm
Hanse 400 2006 2007
—
J/39
45 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Contest 40S ★
14.0
Centurion 40
23.4
Hanse 400 2006 2007
26.1
J/39
16.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Contest 40S ★
38.5 %
Centurion 40
37.9 %
Hanse 400 2006 2007
—
J/39
39.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Contest 40S ★
40.8
Centurion 40
29.3
Hanse 400 2006 2007
25.0
J/39
33.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Contest 40S ★
1.71
Centurion 40
1.95
Hanse 400 2006 2007
2.01
J/39
1.61
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Contest 40S ★
397
Centurion 40
264
Hanse 400 2006 2007
—
J/39
168
Hull Speed
Contest 40S ★
7.4 kts
Centurion 40
7.7 kts
Hanse 400 2006 2007
8.0 kts
J/39
9.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Contest 40S ★
1.0
Centurion 40
1.7
Hanse 400 2006 2007
3.3
J/39
—
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