About Laurin

Laurin is a Contest 32 CS Ketch built in 1980. When she was built she would have been considered a decent size boat for a family of four, however today most cruising families choose a larger mono-hull or even a catamaran to gain space. That being said, she is the biggest 32' boat I have ever been on!

Laurin on her return from our summer cruise 

LOA:   31.82' / 9.70m
LWL:   25.66' / 7.82m
Beam:  10.89' / 3.32m
Draft:   5.25' / 1.60m
Displacement: 6300kg
Engine: Beta 35 fitted 2014
Fresh water tanks: Approx 340 litres
Fuel tanks: Approx 200 litres 

Sail Wardrobe:
Main
Mizzen
Genoa 
(With a slight yankee cut to improve visibility.)
Mizzen staysail 
(Otherwise known as a dragon jib)  
Cruising chute and spinnaker 


 Below Decks

Starting at the bow, the forepeak is pretty much all bed, with just enough space for 6'2" Patrick and shorty Karen curled up in a corner. There is a shelf along each side as well as USB sockets. Underneath the bunk there are 3 plastic "buckets" plus some floor area for storage. It's actually a rather large storage space which the kids used to like crawling into given chance.

The main cabin can seat six fairly easily and eight without too much trouble so long as a couple are kids. Both saloon bunks have removable backs which can be used as leeboards and make the bunks into comfortable sea berths. Water tanks are underneath the bunks, although there is some shallow storage on the port side between the top of the tank and the underside of the bunk.

The chart table is a fold down affair with some storage for charts in it plus drinks storage in the support. It's not perfect as you need to kind of sit sideways on the bunk or stand up to navigate but it is of a reasonable size and does us fine. The instrument panel is a recent build and installation by Peckett Marine..... Thanks Bru!







The heads compartment is compact but it can act as a wet room and the shower is surprisingly good. It even has a crazy long hose to the shower head so that we can rinse of on deck too if needed.

The galley would never be big enough for me but it will do and there is a large larder cupboard aft of the galley which is very useful. We have top loading fridge but no freezer. There is also plenty of space under the floor for the beer/soft drinks to go which is relatively cool.

Going aft under the cockpit there is excellent access to the engine bay, and a large hanging locker to starboard which has now been converted to shelves to be more economical on space. We keep towels, waterproofs and laundry in here.

The aft cabin is what sold the boat to us. On a boat this size it was unlikely the kids would get separate cabins unless we severely compromised on storage space, however at least on Laurin they have separate bunks. I made curtains for each bunk to give the kids some privacy and there is standing room between the two bunks. There is also a sink which is never used so this is now covered by a fold up table top which is infinitely more useful. 

Not crazy amounts of space for a family of four, however we do also have a cockpit tent which effectively gives us another room which is fantastic.

Original Contest 32 CS Brochure

Yachtbroker video of when Laurin was sold to her previous owner.
(Several changes have been made since this was filmed).