Bluewater Sailboat – Contest 44

Overview

The Contest 44 Bluewater sailboat is a well-built and spacious yacht from a reputable Dutch yard designed to be sailed by a small crew and is comfortable for two people to sail.

She is a high-quality yacht from a well-known Dutch shipyard, designed for comfortable cruising with a small crew. The boat boasts a sleek and spacious design, with a well-maintained GRP hull and teak decking. 

Contest 44
Contest 44
  • Underwater Profile: Fin Keel & Skeg-hung Rudder
  • Hull Material: GRP
  • Length Overall: 44’0″ (13.41 m)
  • Waterline Length: 38′ 3″ (11.66 m)
  • Beam: 13’1″ (3.99 m)
  • Draft: 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
  • Rig Type: Masthead Sloop
  • Displacement: 39,062 lb (17,718 kg)
  • Designer: Dick Zaal
  • Builder: Conyplex (Holland)
  • Year First Built: 1997
  • Year Last Built: 2000
  • Number Built: 18

History

Contest Yachts is a well-known Dutch yacht manufacturer, established in the 1970s, which has built a reputation for producing high-quality, performance-oriented sailing yachts. The company’s boats are known for their seaworthiness, durability, and well-designed interiors, and they have a loyal following among experienced sailors.

Structure

The Contest 44 sailboat is a well-balanced and spacious yacht from the well-known Dutch yard. She is designed to be sailed by a small crew, with two people able to comfortably sail her. The boat is in excellent condition and features a GRP hull painted in Racing Green, white superstructure, teak laid decks, and cockpit, deep keel, and skeg rudder, Whitlock wheel steering, emergency tiller, and aluminum windshield. The boat comes with sails from 2004 and has been very well taken care of.

Above Deck

The above deck of the Contest 44 Bluewater sailboat is designed for optimal performance and functionality. The boat is sloop-rigged, with round wooden rigging and an electric in-mast furling Selden system. The furlex genoa system allows for easy adjustment of the genoa, a large headsail that is typically used to enhance the performance of the boat. The deck is also equipped with a variety of winches, including 1 electric Lewmar 58 AEST, 1 Lewmar AST, and 2 Lewmar 44 AST, for easy and efficient sail handling. The boat is also equipped with a main sail, genoa, fok, stormfok, and cruising chute with stripper.

The deck of the Contest 44 sailboat is constructed with teak on GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) which provides a durable and non-slip surface. The keel type of the boat is wing keel which provides good stability, and speed.

The deck is also equipped with a variety of deck equipment, including a Delta anchor and an electric Lofrans Project X3 anchor windlass. There is a sprayhood and windscreen to protect the crew from the elements, and a mainsail cover and nuacover to protect the sails when not in use. The deck of the Contest 44 sailboat is designed for safety and functionality, making her a great option for those looking for a well-equipped and well-maintained sailboat.

Below Deck

The below deck interior of the Bluewater Sailboat Contest 44 is designed for comfort and functionality. The boat has 2 cabins and a lounge, providing accommodation for up to 6 people. The interior of the boat is modern, with a wood look, and teak finishes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The boat has a pressure water system and an outside deck shower, providing ample water supply for the crew and passengers. There is also 1 toilet on board. The boat’s galley is equipped with a 3-burner gas cooker, providing the necessary facilities for preparing meals while on board.

The boat has a water capacity of 519 gallons, providing ample water supply for long voyages. The interior layout of the boat consists of a large owners cabin in the aft and a guest cabin in the front with a V-berth. The cabins are well-appointed and comfortable, with ample storage space for personal belongings. The boat’s layout allows for comfortable living spaces and easy access to the deck.

Performance

Performance-wise, the boat’s Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 13.8 suggests that the boat will need a stiff breeze to get going and may struggle in light conditions, requiring motor-sailing. The Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 33.9 means that the boat will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust and will need to be reefed early to keep it upright in a moderate breeze. The Displacement/Length Ratio of 312 indicates that the boat is a heavy displacement cruising boat, which can handle a heavy load, but is not ideal for coastal sailing. The Comfort Ratio of 49.2 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would expect from a heavy bluewater cruising boat, and the Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that the boat would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.

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Quick Notes

  • The Contest 44 Bluewater sailboat is a well-built and spacious yacht from a reputable Dutch yard. She is designed to be sailed by a small crew and is comfortable for two people to sail.
  • The boat is in excellent condition and has been well-maintained, with many recent upgrades and replacements.
  • Performance-wise, the boat may struggle in light wind conditions and may require motor-sailing to move forward. She is best suited for heavy bluewater cruising and offshore passages. The sailboat is equipped with in-mast furling main, furling genoa and furling fixed cutter for easy handling.
  • The boat’s deep keel and skeg rudder provide good stability, however, she may heel excessively in a gust, and will need to be reefed early to keep it upright in a moderate breeze.
  • The sailboat is designed for heavy bluewater cruising and offshore passages, but she may not be ideal for coastal sailing as her may not be able to move as fast as a lightweight boat. The boat’s interior is spacious and features a modern design and teak finish.

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