The early Contests by U van Essen scarcely registered in this country. In the early 1970s, Dick
Zaal designed a new range of cruiser-racers, which also included this Contest 25, a replacement for the company’s first yacht. She was imported in some numbers by Interyacht of Woodbridge. She is full-bodied with a shallow fin, skeg-hung rudder and moderate masthead rig. Former YM editor Des Sleightholme described her as ‘well-built and handsome… equally suitable as a family
cruiser for beginners or for passage racing.’ She may not make the grade in racing anymore, but her five-berth layout with good headroom, practical galley and heads amidships, is comfortable and spacious, though simple in construction. She is light and stable on the helm and a good sea-boat.

LOA 7.54m (24ft 8in), LWL 6.10m (20ft), beam 2.5m (8ft 3in), draught 1.25m (4ft 1in),
displacement 2,350kg (5,160lb). Price guide: £9,000 to £13,000. YM Test Report May 1973.