Contest 40S for sale in Largs United Kingdom

At the time of its introduction in the early 1990’s the Contest 40S was a leap forward for the Dutch builders with her more modern hull shape and improved below decks accommodation. Designed to maximise hull speed while being predictable and easy to handle under sail the sleeker profile with finer hull sections went on to become the Contest style for the following decades.

Commissioned by her original owner in 1993 to his own ‘blue water specification’ the boat has several transatlantic crossings under her hull already, having extensively cruised the waters of the Caribbean and Eastern seaboard of America. Professionally maintained and upgraded throughout the first ownership. Sold through our brokerage to her current owners in 2019 the Contest 40S ARABELLA has enjoyed extensive upgrading and re-fitting in recent years. A change of circumstances has resulted in the boat now being offered for sale several years earlier than planned. Her extensive inventory includes highlights such as:

• Hull blasted to remove antifouling and re-epoxied in 2020
• Keel shot blasted and epoxy coated in 2021
• Full depth skeg hung rudder - new rudder fitted winter 2012/13
• Volvo Penta MD22 marine diesel engine, timing belt replaced 2020
• Featherstream bronze, 3 blade propellor (2021)
• Mastervolt Whisper 3.5kW (2016) – less than 70hours of use
• Sleipner Side Power SE130 bow thruster (2022)
• Exturn externally mounted pod stern thruster (2012)
• Sleipner Side Power intuitive control panel, controlling bow and stern thruster (2022)
• Rutland 1200 wind generator (2023)
• Hydrovane self-steering system
• Raymarine Autopilot system
• Raymarine ST60 and i70 navigation instruments
• Raymarine Axiom+ 7” plotter (2020)
• Icom IC-M421 DSCVHF
• Raymarine AIS700 class B transceiver with integrated antenna splitter (2020)
• Starlink Gen3 satellite dish with router
• Force 10 galley range
• 230VAC, 700w microwave
• Eberspacher hydronic heating system (2009)
• Standing rigging fully replaced in 2015
• Extensive sail wardrobe
• Sprayhood, cockpit tent and bimini all fitted new in 2023

Lying afloat in Largs Yacht Haven the Contest 40S ARABELLA is available for immediate viewing by prior appointment. She will be lifted ashore for winter storage in late October 2024.

PRESS REVIEW:
By the early 1990s, Conyplex was anxious to give its boats a little more performance and the Contest 40S marked the start of a new drive in this direction. She was designed to maintain high speeds in all conditions. Lower and finer than her predecessors, she is, nevertheless, full-bodied and spacious. The accommodation is designed for life aboard with lots of stowage, a large and comfortable aft cabin, with heads en suite, and a second, guest suite forward. The galley is large but secure, and the well-proportioned chart table will cope with ocean passage-planning.'

Tim Bartlett. Yachting Monthly, July 2009. www.yachtingmonthly.com

CONSTRUCTION

Hull Construction:
GRP moulded hull
Balsa sandwich construction
GRP formed internal structural members
Plywood bulkheads laminated to hull
Teak rubbing strake with stainless steel coping
Externally finished in off-white gelcoat with blue gel coat sheer band.
Hull below the waterline stripped and given preventative epoxy treatment 2004.
Hull blasted to remove antifouling and re-epoxied in 2020
Teak rubbing strake
Alloy framed portlights above rubbing strake

Deck & Superstructure Construction:
GRP moulded deck incorporating coachroof and self-draining cockpit
Balsa sandwich construction
Non-slip moulded texture to finish coachroof
Laid teak decks to finish sidedecks, foredeck and aft deck
Teak slats to finish cockpit seating and sole

Keel & Rudder:
Bolt on external wing-type iron ballast keel.
Keel shot blasted and epoxy coated in 2021
Full depth skeg hung rudder - new rudder fitted winter 2012/13
Rudder seals replaced spring 2021

MACHINERY

Engine & gearbox:
Volvo Penta MD22 marine diesel engine
59hp at 4000rpm
4 cylinder, naturally aspirated, direct injection, freshwater cooled.
Volvo Penta mechanical reversing marine gearbox
Single lever morse control
Maintenance & Performance:
Engine service October 2024
Timing belt replaced in 2020
Heat exchanger tube stack replaced with new item in 2023
Engine space sound insulation replaced 2020
Majority of seacocks replaced since 2019
Cruising speed 6kts

Generator:
Mastervolt Whisper 3.5kW (2016)
Remote control panel
Last serviced October 2024
Recorded running hours 86.14hrs

Propulsion & Steering:
Aquadrive thrust bearing system
Stainless steel propshaft
Dripless Exalto sterngland
Rope cutter
Featherstream bronze, 3 blade, feathering propellor fitted new in 2021
Whitlock Mamba rod steering system
Lewmar stainless steel folding wheel
Original fixed wheel available if required

Bow Thruster:
Sleipner Side Power SE130 bow thruster (2022)
Tunnel mounted thruster
Sleipner Side Power intuitive control panel, controlling bow and stern thruster (2022)

Stern Thurster:
Exturn externally mounted pod thruster (2012)
Sleipner Side Power intuitive control panel, controlling bow and stern thruster (2022)

Autopilot:
Raymarine ST6002 control head
Raymarine S3 course computer
Whitlock Mamba drive unit within engine space

Self-Steering System:
Hydrovane self-steering system
Transom mounted

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Voltage systems:
12VDC onboard power system
230VAC shore power system
24V independent battery bank for stern thruster

Shore Power System:
Extension lead to connect to shore supply
Single 16 amp connection point
Hardwired RCD-protected system. Separate 50amp USA inlet.
3 pin UK sockets, battery charger, immersion heater

Battery Banks:
Engine Battery – 1 x 100Ah, 12v lead acid
Domestic Battery – 4x 100Ah, 12v AGM, 1x 70Ah, 12V AGM (2020)
Stern Thruster - 2 x 55Ah, 12v lead acid, wired for 24v supply.
Battery Monitor:
Mastervolt BTM-III battery monitor display

Charging:
Battery Charger - Victron Energy Phoenix 12v 50amp

Alternators:
Dual alternators driven by engine
Dedicated alternators for engine and domestic battery banks
Domestic alternator replaced with new item 2022
Merlin smart regulator (2015)

Wind Generator:
Rutland 1200 wind generator (2023)
Marlec Rutland Remote Display panel (2023)
mounted on pole from aft rail.

Other Electrical:
USB charging sockets integrated with reading lights in saloon and cabins

PLUMBING SYSTEMS

Fresh Water:
Pressurised hot and cold water systems
Mixer tap in galley
Hot and cold taps in forward heads with dedicated shower fitting
Hot and cold taps in aft cabin
Hot water provided from calorifier (2020), heated by engine cooling water, 230VAC immersion heater or Eberspacher Hydronic heating system

Grey Water System:
Full system installed new spring 2024
Whale 8ltr grey water waste tank
All sinks discharging to tank
Whale Gulper 320 pump discharging overboard

Gas System:
2x 4.5kg calor gas bottle and 2x Camping Gaz 907 bottles    
Gas system fully reworked and tested to Gas-Safe standards and certified 2017. 
New gas isolating solenoid fitted 2017.

Bilge Pumps:
Manual Bilge Pump x2
Electric Bilge Pump
Emergency Bilge Pump – Grey water tank suction can be diverted to drain main bilge

TANKAGE

Fuel:
Single diesel tank
Approximate capacity 350ltrs

Fresh Water:
Single fresh water tank
Stainless steel tank construction
Approximate total capacity 500ltrs

Tank Monitoring:
Gauges on switch panel for fuel and water tanks

NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

On Deck:
Depth/Log/Speed – Raymarine i70 multifunction display
Wind – Raymarine ST60 with close hauled repeater
Repeater - Raymarine i70 
Plotter – Raymarine Axiom + 7” (2020)
Plotter - Raymarine A-series with Navionic charting, mounted in pod on pedestal(2014). 
Compass - Polaris 150. Mounted on binnacle.
At Chart Table:
GPS – Garmin GPSmap 182C supplies GPS data to Navtex.
Communications Equipment:
VHF - Icom IC-M421 DSCVHF
AIS – Raymarine AIS700 class B transceiver with integrated antenna splitter (2020)
Starlink – Starlink Gen3 dish and router with 12VDC – 57VDC power supply. Seller will remove if not required
Navtex - ICS Nav6 at chart table (2004). New improved performance antenna fitted (2017).
SSB Radio - Yaesu FT-840 with separate tuner. Not used in last 10 years should be considered in need of repair.
Radar Detector - Sea-Me active radar detector system.

DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT

Galley:
Galley Stove – Force 10 galley range. 2 burner and oven. Gimbal mounted
Microwave Oven - (240V) Logik, 700w. Secured above galley storage units outboard.(2011)
Refrigeration - Top loading fridge under galley worktop with internal icebox. Water cooled refrigeration system. Second custom built, stainless steel lined fridge in forepeak between berths, top loading. Air cooled compressor with power-efficient stainless steel Eutectic cooling plate.
Heads:
Aft Toilet – Jabsco Quiet flush electric toilet, fresh water flushing
Forward toilet – Jabsco manual marine toilet
Forward Heads – Wash hand basin, mixer tap which extends for use as shower head
Aft Heads - Wash hand basin, mixer tap, dedicated shower stall with shower fitting

Heating & Ventilation:
Heating - Eberspacher Hydronic unit (2009). Matrix box outlets in saloon and aft cabin. Duct to forward cabin outlet removed, could be re-installed 
Air Conditioning - Crusair 1600BTU unit.
Lighting:
Overhead lighting throughout, all replaced with LED fittings in 2021
Saloon lighting switched centrally, dimming.
Reading lights in cabins.

Entertainment:
Stereo - FM/AM head unit with Bluetooth connectivity and USB input.
ACCOMMODATION

Summary of Accommodation:
Twin/Double cabin forward with en-suite heads
Saloon
Nav Station
Galley
Master cabin aft with en-suite heads

Accommodation Finish: 
Joinery work of teak veneered plywood and solid teak trims.
All varnish work finished in a satin varnish
GRP Headlining moulding finished in white
Vinyl covered headlining panel with varnished teak trims
White laminate worktop in galley
White laminate finish to heads compartments with varnished teak trims
Traditional teak and holly veneered soleboards
Upholstery replaced throughout in 2012

Description of Accommodation from Forward:

Forward Cabin: 
Two single berths in a traditional V-berth layout. 
Infill section and cushion to create large double bunk when required.
Standing room aft of bunk
Custom-built fridge located between bunks aft
Two full-height lockers, one hanging and one shelved to the port of standing area
Overhead shelves outboard port and starboard
En-suite forward head located aft to starboard

Forward Heads: 
To starboard within aft end of the forward cabin. 
Self-contained compartment 
Manual marine toilet forward, inboard
Countertop outboard with inset wash hand basin, mixer tap extending for use as showerhead.
Vanity lockers outboard with storage shelf above

Saloon: 
Saloon occupying the full width of the boat. 
Centrally mounted saloon table with folding leaf on port side. 
Wrap around U-shaped settee to starboard
Bench type settee to port. 
Storage lockers above settee backs outboard with shelves above, removable retaining bars are fitted to increase usability of the shelving when at sea
Selection of locker storage beneath settee base and behind settee backrests

Galley: 
Located to port of the companionway steps. 
U-shaped galley layout
Double stainless steel sink inboard forward
Top loading fridge beneath section of worktop outboard of sink
Cooker located outboard centrally 
Athwart ships worktop aft with top loading pantry locker beneath outboard section
Storage lockers and drawers beneath worktop and above outboard. 
Microwave built onto top of outboard storage unit

Nav Station:
Located to starboard side of companionway at forward end of walk-thru to aft cabin
Forward-facing chart table with dedicated navigators seat
Chart storage within table top
Storage drawers beneath forward end of chart table
Ships switch panel outboard of navigators seat
Contoured instrument mounting plinth above chart table with storage shelve above

Master Aft Cabin: 
Accessed from main cabin by walk-thru along starboard side
Double island bunk located centrally aft
Shelves outboard of bunk to port and starboard 
Single seat units outboard of bunk, forward to port and starboard, countertop storage areas outboard of seating
Standing room forward of bunk
Hanging locker outboard to standing room, forward to port
Locker outboard of standing room to starboard forward, housing generator, storage locker space above
Access to en-suite aft heads to port forward

Aft Heads, Master Cabin En-Suite: 
Accessed through a doorway from the aft cabin. 
Aft facing electric marine toilet outboard forward
Countertop outboard with inset wash hand basin, mixer tap extending for use as showerhead.
Vanity lockers outboard with storage shelf above
Self-contained shower stall forward with dedicated shower fitting
Washing machine built-in, forward of toilet, outboard.

DECK EQUIPMENT

Rig:
Mast head cutter rigged sloop. 
Silver anodised alloy spars by Selden.
Furlex roller reefing systems on both forward stays.
Twin fixed length silver anodised alloy spinnaker poles.
Selden rod kicker
Standing rigging complete replacement 2015. Intermediate shrouds replaced 2017.
Running backstays
Mast steps to lower spreaders.
Lewmar Ocean Series tracks and cars for genoa, staysail & mainsheet.
Spinlok rope clutches for lines lead aft to cockpit.           
Winches:
Electric winches are controlled from push button type switches mounted in/on cockpit coaming. Switches fitted with standard protection shroud to prevent accidental operation.
Primary Winches - 2 x Lewmar 54, electric, 2-speed, self-tailing.
Secondary Winches - 1 x Lewmar 40, manual, 2 speed, self-tailing, starboard side. 1 x  Lewmar 40, electric, 2 speed, self-tailing, port side.
Halyard Winch - 1 x Lewmar Ocean Power 2 to port of companionway. Also utilised for mainsail outhaul and reefing lines.
Sails:
Mainsail - In-mast furling, white dacron. Nicholson Hughes Sails 2012.
Genoa - Roller reefing, white dacron with blue UV stripe. Nicholson Hughes Sails 2011.
Staysail - Roller reefing, white dacron with blue UV stripe. De Vries 1993
Running Staysail - Roller reefing, white dacron. Saturn Sails 2004. (For down wind, trade wind sailing)
Spare Mainsails - 1. In-mast furling, white dacron, vertically battened. Saturn Sails 2004.  2. In-mast furling, white dacron. De Vries 1993. 
Spare Genoa - Roller reefing, white dacron with blue UV stripe. Saturn Sails 2004.
Canvas Work:
Sprayhood - Canvas hood in beige. Fixed to top of fixed windscreen forward. CC&B, Largs (2023)
Cockpit Tent – Opening side and aft panels. CC&B, Largs (2023)
Bimini – On folding stainless steel frame, beige canvas. CC&B, Largs (2023)
Winter Cover - Full fitted winter cover. rigged with the mast up, side skirts extend below rubbing strake. Owen Sails 2018

Anchoring & Mooring:
Main Anchor - Delta 55kg plough anchor on 55m chain rode. Both re-galvanised 2016.
Windlass - Clipper Marine low profile vertical windlass. Chain gypsy and warping drum. Foot button switches on foredeck with remote control panel and chain counter display in cockpit.
Mooring Warps - Selection
Fenders - Selection.
Tender:
Caribe C8 RIB (1995)
Davits – Simpson Davits stainless steel davits. Professionally modified to stow with boats standard LOA when not in use, reducing marina fees
General:
Hydrovane Self Steering Gear.
Stern Roller - Rigged for stern anchoring.
Boarding Ladder - Mounted on transom, with swim platform, ladder extending below waterline.
Outboard Storage

SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.

Navigation Lights:
Masthead Anchor light
Masthead Tri-colour
Steaming light
Low-level navigation lights

Life saving:
2x Horseshoe Buoy - with light.
MOB rescue system
Inflatable Dan Buoy

DISCLAIMER
In this case we are acting as brokers only.
The Owner is not selling in the course of a business. whilst every care has been taken in their preparation , the correctness of these particulars is not guaranteed. The Purchaser is strongly advised to check the particulars and where appropriate at their expense to employ a qualified Marine Surveyor to carry out a survey and/or to have an engine trial conducted which if conducted by us shall not imply any liability for such engine on our part.
This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice