Contest Yachts 38s

SOLID Dutch-built 1988 Contest 38S, available NOW and already in some of the best cruising grounds in the world!
This proven, turn-key cruiser is ready to sail the Caribbean and beyond! Previously owned by a meticulous Dutch couple who refit the vessel in 2022 with nice upgrades such as new standing rigging, New Mainsail, Jib and Gennaker preparing for her for a trans-Atlantic crossing and Caribbean adventure.
The current owner - a seasoned BVI sailor - purchased in 2023 and has invested over $20k in upgrades. Among them includes; Installing 110v electrical systems (110v/220v), brand-new AC unit for comfort on the dock, and rigging enhancements for effortless sailing. Due to a change in plans, the owner must part with this beautifully outfitted vessel.
Seize this opportunity to own a safe, solid, and fun-to-sail cruiser, ready to go NOW and already located in some of the best sailing grounds in the world.
Contact me today for many more photos taken recently or to chat about submitting an offer. This is a well outfitted vessel with a great layout and SOLID bones. Ready for Adventure!
Inventory

Deck and Cockpit Equipment

Anchors

Primary: Vulcan Rocna 20KG with 50m 10mm swivel chain

Secondary: CQR 35.8S, 16kg with 30m 12mm rode

Dinghy: 3kg foldable anchor with 20m rode


Equipment

Anchor Windlass: Lofrans 600W, 12V, overhauled electrical engine, relays, and parts (2022)

Bow Anchor Roller: Heavy-duty stainless steel with bow protector, small roller on stern

Bimini Top: Mounted on sprayhood

Awning: Tailored sail, mounted over boom at anchor

Side Curtains: Wintertent covers full cockpit, mounted on sprayhood

Dodger/Sprayhood: Dodger (2024) w/ fixed glass windows

Cockpit Awning: Wintertent covers full cockpit

Cockpit Cushions: Yes

Fenders and Dock Lines: 4 fenders, 1 ball fender, dock lines

Swim Platform: Stainless steel, completes full stern

Bow Pulpit and Rails: Fore and aft pulpit, new rails (2022)

Swim Ladder: Stainless steel, mounted on swim platform

Side Swim/Boarding Ladder: Removable (2024)

Side Stanchions and Lifelines

Jacklines: Port & Starboard from stern to bow

Targa Arch: Contains radar pole, wind generator, solar panels, antennas

Navigation Lights: LED (2022)

Outboard Engine Bracket: Yes

Hull: Buffed and polished (2024)

Deck: Kurk MarineDeck 2000 cork (2001), maintenance-free, Great Condition


2024/25 Deck & Cockpit Updates

Tides Track for mainsail (2024)

Doyle Stax-Pac (2024)

Barient 27 self-tailing winch for main halyard (2024)

Dodger (2024)

Hatch covers for salon hatches (2024)

Force 10 grill with custom mount (2024)

Starboard boarding gate (2024)

Modified stern rail to create pathway to swim step (2024)

Teak drink holder at helm (2024)

Renewed cockpit table (2024)

Removable companionway doors (2024)

Fresh bottom paint (February 2025)

Side Swim/Boarding Ladder (2024)

Accommodations


Cabins: 2

Heads: 1

Headroom: 190 cm / 6'3"

Berth Length: 200 cm / 6'7"


Interior Features

Classic teak interior

Ceiling renewed with insulated Eurovinyl (2010)

New interior settee upholstery (2022)

Ample storage

Classic original clock, hydrometer, barometer

Frigoboat fixed refrigerator, 12V, air-cooled compressor, top-opening, 500 liters

Dometic portable cooler/freezer (110V or 12V) (2024)

Techimpex XLpit stove and gas oven

Propane shut-off valve

Replaced flexible gas hose and manometer (2022)

Checked pressure on gas system (2022)

2 Aleko SCA10 smoke + carbon monoxide alarms

Vented propane locker w/ (2) propane 6 kg gas tanks

Force 10 gas BBQ mounted on aft pushpit

Water System: Pressurized fresh water, 3 sinks, shower, all with hot and cold water

Manual foot pump freshwater in galley

Water Heater: Whale 12-volt hot water heater (2024)


2024 Interior Updates

Raritan Sea Era electric toilet (2024)

Head faucet/shower unit (2024)

Small guest fan in head (2024)

Repaired and restored sump system with vented loop (2024)

Whale 12-volt hot water heater (2024)

Siccorro fans: one in salon, one in master cabin (2024)

Mattress for Aft Master bunk (2024)

Custom linens for master bunk (2024)

Moen pull-down faucet in galley (2024)

Dometic portable cooler/freezer (110V or DC) (2024)

Wabsco 10,000 BTU air conditioner with ducting to salon and master cabin (2024)

March circulating pump for air conditioner (2024)

Propane tank (2024)

Dimmable LED overhead lights throughout (2024)

Electronics and Navigation Equipment


Autopilot: Simrad AP24, electric drive ram with cockpit display

Chart Plotters:


Primary: Simrad color plotter with NMEA 2000 backbone (2024)


Secondary: Color chart plotter in cockpit (removable) (2024)

Radar: Koden Marine Radar MD-3441,4kW

Depth, Speed, Wind, Distance & Logs: VDO Oceanline round meters (depth, log, wind direction, wind speed)

SSB Radio: Yaesu FT with automatic antenna tuner SGC and Pactor modem PTC-2 USB (2006)

VHF Radios:

Primary: Furuno 2721 DSC VHF 25W (2003), speakers in cockpit and nav station

Secondary: Furuno VHF added to existing European VHF (2024)

Portable: Handheld Standard Horizon HX300 (floating)

Compass: C. Plath (revised 2022), Plastimo Contest compass in cockpit, handheld Plastimo Iris 50

Stereo: Sony (2025)

Stereo Speakers: Pioneer

Navigation Lights: LED (2022)

Deck Lights: Front deck light

Search Lights: Mag-Lite


2024 Navigational Electronics Updates

Simrad color plotter with NMEA

Furuno VHF added to existing European VHF (2024)

Sat phone (2024)

Color chart plotter in cockpit (removable) (2024)

Starlink mini (2024)

Electrical System

Major electrical refit in 2024 to allow the vessel to plug into 220v/50Hz (EU Spec. ) OR 110V/60Hz (US Spec. )

System: 12V DC / 230V & 110V AC

Battery Banks:

House: 3 x 12V 105AH deep cycle (2022)

Engine: 1 x 12V 95AH AGM

Solar Panels:

2 x Victron 115W (230W total) (2022)

Dedicated solar panel for engine start battery (2024)

Solar Charge Controller: Victron MPPT 100/20 with Bluetooth, spare Victron MPPT 75/

Wind Generator: AirMarine 400W (2015)

Inverter:

2000 Watt Renogy inverter (2024)

Mastervolt AC Master 12/300,230V, 300W (600W peak) (2020)

Battery Chargers:

ProMariner 110v/220v, 20 amp battery charger for house bank (2024)


ProMariner 110v/220v, 20 amp battery charger for engine bank (2024)

Shore Power Cords: Separate cords for the 110V and 220V Systems


Battery Monitor: Mastervolt Battery Monitor BTM1

Alternators: 2 on inboard engine (one for service, one for start battery; service alternator replaced 2023)


2024 Electrical Updates

American-style 110-volt AC wiring system (2024)

Outlets, fixtures, wire, and labor (2024)

2000 Watt Renogy inverter (2024)

Blue Sea selector switch (2024)

Shore power cord (2024)

Deck fitting for shore power cord (2024)

ProMariner 20 amp battery charger for house bank (2024)

ProMariner 20 amp battery charger for engine bank (2024)

Dedicated solar panel for engine start battery (2024)

Mechanical Equipment

Bilge Pumps:

Manual: Whale, controlled from cockpit

Electric: Einhell portable water pump, 8,000 liters/hour (2022)

Steering: Whitlock/Europe steering system, direct rod to gear box to rudder (Heavy duty! No cables or chains!) (Inspected 2022)

Windvane: Windpilot Pacific Plus1 (2003), with own rudder, can serve as emergency rudder

Bow Thruster: Vetus 3kW, 3,000W, 350A

Propeller: 3-blade brass propeller (17x12 inches)


Engine Information 

Make: Volvo Penta

Model: MD2003T

Year: 1988

Type: Inboard

Fuel Type: Diesel

Horsepower: 43

Engine Cycle: 3-cylinder

Drive Type: 4-stroke, Direct Drive

Engine Hours: 5,292

Propeller: 3-blade fixed propeller (17x12 inches)

Engine Alarms: Oil, temperature, battery, fuel indication

Fuel Filter: Perkins

Raw Water Sea Strainer: Vetus cooling water strainer

Fresh Water Cooling: Intercooler, cooled by fresh water

Fuel Shut Off: Yes

Recent Maintenance:

Full service (2021): Rebuilt impeller pump, cleaned/replaced water injection system parts, replaced filters and V-belts

Replaced: Propeller shaft seal, oil cooler, engine room insulation (2021)

Checked compression (2022)

Service with Volvo Penta Expert (2022): Replaced engine mounts and brackets, overhauled gearbox, checked compression, replaced filters, V-belts, impeller

Oil & filter Change (4/2025)


2024 Updates:

12-volt engine oil change system (2024)

Oil & filter Change (4/2025)

Sails and Rigging

Sails:

Mainsail: Masils Holland Endurance Ocean, Contender Pro Dacron, 2 reefs, 4 battens (2022)

Jib: Doyle 120 C-Cut with sun cover (2024)

Gennaker: Asymmetric spinnaker/gennaker, 60 m² (2002), Like-New Condition


Rigging:

Selden mast with 2 spreaders

New lazy jack system in 9 of 24. No fouling when hoisting main.

Hasse furling, checked and replaced (2022)

Mainsheet Traveler: Australian traveler

Pole: Selden pole, fixed on mast with traveler

Back Stay Adjuster: Nemo manual adjuster

Boom Vang: Manual

Standing Rigging: Forestay (furler) wire 1x19,8mm (2022); 4 subversive stay wire 1x19,8mm (2022); 2 headstay wire 1x16

Tangs on mast: Replaced in mast (2022)


Winches
On Mast:

1 Enkes 20,2-speed self-tailing (main halyard)

1 Enkes 18,2-speed (reefs)

3 Enkes 22,2-speed (genoa and jib halyard)


Cockpit:

2 Enkes 48,2-speed self-tailing

2 Meissner 27,2-speed (with self-tailing rubbers)

Barient 27 self-tailing for main halyard (2024)


Notes:

Solent-style inner dynema forestay and headsail removed

Modifications made and winch added to enable raising the mainsail from the cockpit.

New lazyjack system that prevents battens from snagging when raising the mainsail

Safety Equipment


First Aid: Offshore kit (2022)

EPIRB: Ocean Signal Epirb 1 Rescue Me (2022)

Life Raft: Seasafe ISAF/OS ISO9650,4-person, in container, new certificate (2022)

Emergency Tiller: Stainless steel, easy to mount

Safety Jon and Buoy: Yes

Additional Units


Dinghy: 2023 Fish 240 stab floor

Outboard: Yamaha 4HP