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Contest 42Cs
Designer: Georg Nissen  ·  Builder: Contest Yachts  ·  First built: 2013
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About the Contest 42Cs

Designed by Georg Nissen and built by the renowned Dutch yard Contest Yachts beginning in 2013, this 45-footer represents a refined approach to performance cruising. The 42Cs strikes an appealing balance between comfortable passage-making and spirited sailing performance, making it well-suited for both extended coastal cruising and offshore voyaging. The modern fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration delivers excellent upwind performance while maintaining good stability characteristics. Her fractional sloop rig provides versatile sail handling options, particularly valuable when sailing short-handed or in varying conditions. With a displacement of nearly 30,000 pounds and a healthy ballast ratio, the boat offers the substance and seaworthiness expected from the Contest brand. The comfort ratio of 35.9 indicates a motion that favors comfort over racing-oriented stiffness, while the capsize screening value of 1.74 suggests good stability for offshore work. Her sail area to displacement ratio points to lively performance in moderate conditions without being overpowered in fresh breezes. Contest Yachts has built a strong reputation for high-quality construction and thoughtful engineering, and the 42Cs continues this tradition with fiberglass construction that emphasizes durability and finish quality suited for serious cruising sailors.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 44.95 ft / 13.70 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 38.19 ft / 11.64 m
Beam 13.45 ft / 4.10 m
Max Draft 6.40 ft / 1.95 m
Displacement 29,762.00 lb / 13,500 kg
Ballast 11,243.00 lb / 5,100 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,086.00 ft² / 100.89 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Georg Nissen
Builder Contest Yachts
First Built 2013
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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
18.17
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
37.78
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
238.54
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
35.9
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
1.74
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. 8.28 kn
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. 1,835.35 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
Mast Height (DWL) 69.16 ft / 21.08 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 75
Fuel Capacity 76 gals / 288 L
Water Capacity 114 gals / 432 L
How It Compares

vs. Imx 45, Premier 45, Tartan 4400

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Contest 42Cs ★
45.0 ft
Imx 45
Premier 45
45.0 ft
Tartan 4400
45.0 ft
LWL
Contest 42Cs ★
38.2 ft
Imx 45
39.3 ft
Premier 45
42.5 ft
Tartan 4400
37.5 ft
Beam
Contest 42Cs ★
13.5 ft
Imx 45
13.6 ft
Premier 45
13.6 ft
Tartan 4400
14.1 ft
Displacement
Contest 42Cs ★
29 lbs
Imx 45
20 lbs
Premier 45
17 lbs
Tartan 4400
24 lbs
Ballast
Contest 42Cs ★
11 lbs
Imx 45
9 lbs
Premier 45
7 lbs
Tartan 4400
9 lbs
Sail Area
Contest 42Cs ★
1 sq ft
Imx 45
1 sq ft
Premier 45
1 sq ft
Tartan 4400
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Contest 42Cs ★
18.2
Imx 45
30.1
Premier 45
27.3
Tartan 4400
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Contest 42Cs ★
37.8 %
Imx 45
Premier 45
41.6 %
Tartan 4400
37.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Contest 42Cs ★
35.9
Imx 45
Premier 45
19.6
Tartan 4400
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Contest 42Cs ★
1.74
Imx 45
2.01
Premier 45
2.09
Tartan 4400
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Contest 42Cs ★
238
Imx 45
Premier 45
103
Tartan 4400
Hull Speed
Contest 42Cs ★
8.3 kts
Imx 45
8.4 kts
Premier 45
8.7 kts
Tartan 4400
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Contest 42Cs ★
Imx 45
4.4
Premier 45
5.7
Tartan 4400
2.8
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