Contest 46

Built from 1987 to 1996 by Dutch yard Conyplex, this Dick Zaal-designed cruiser represents the golden era of Contest Yachts' commitment to serious offshore sailing. With only 55 hulls produced during its decade-long production run, the Contest 46 has earned a reputation as a capable bluewater yacht favored by experienced sailors seeking performance without sacrificing comfort. The masthead sloop configuration and wing keel design provide excellent stability and pointing ability, while the substantial displacement of 33,960 pounds with 13,668 pounds of ballast creates the kind of reassuring motion that makes long passages more comfortable. The generous beam of 13.75 feet allows for spacious accommodations below, typical of Contest's philosophy of creating yachts that serve equally well as floating homes and passage makers. Dick Zaal's design emphasizes seaworthiness over pure speed, reflected in the conservative comfort ratio of 38.86 and capsize screening value of 1.7, both indicating excellent offshore capability. The fiberglass construction features Contest's renowned build quality, with heavy layups and meticulous attention to detail that has helped many of these yachts log thousands of ocean miles. For sailors seeking a proven offshore cruiser with Dutch pedigree, the Contest 46 offers the perfect blend of performance and security.

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