BoatsContest 38S

Contest 38S

Masthead Ketch · Fin With Rudder On Skeg · 1980–1992

A 1980s masthead ketch with a 1.96-metre fin keel, offering a balanced, stable platform for long-distance cruising

Designed by Dick Zaal, built by Conyplex.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin With Rudder On Skeg

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 34 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 34
CoastalBluewater

1.79 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.79
LightHeavy

324 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 324
EasygoingPowered-up

12.0 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.

Sail area / displacement 12.0
TenderStiff

39% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 39%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Heavier than ~80% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2943 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
39.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Ketch
Ratios
SA / displacement
12.0
Displacement / length
324.4
Comfort ratio
34.0
Capsize screening
1.79
Hull speed
7.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1279
Hull
Hull type
Fin with rudder on skeg
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1980–1992
Units built
90
Designer
Dick Zaal
Builder
Conyplex, Contest Yachts - Conyplex

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Rustler Yachts 3711.28 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop with a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder, designed by Stephen Jones for modern offshore cruising
Irwin Yachts 37-111.28 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop designed by Ted Irwin as a no-compromise cruiser, featuring a fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder
Hunter Marine 3711.28 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA John E. Cherubini-designed cutter featuring a fin keel and spade rudder, built for stable cruising since 1978
Cruising Consultants Crealock 3711.25 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA William Crealock-designed masthead sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, built for offshore stability and heavy-weather comfort
Bavaria Yachts C3811.38 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA modern Cossutti-designed fractional sloop with a wide beam and high-volume hull optimized for contemporary cruising
Hanse Yachts 38811.40 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Judel/Vrolijk-designed fractional sloop built for modern cruising comfort with a stiff, performance-oriented hull

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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