SV Paradox II | 1995 Contest 46/48

Sale Pending - 6/16/2025

$165,000Location: Beaufort, NC (June '25) / Annapolis, MD (July '25 onwards)Hull #047
48' LOD / 13.75' Beam / 5.9' Draft
3 Cabin / 2 Head
Center Cockpit
Cutter Rigged
Fin Keel (w/ wing) and Skeg Hung RudderParadox II is a true blue water vessel, refitted and ready for her next adventure.Contact: [email protected] / +1-813-489-0217 (mobile or WhatsApp)

Paradox II is our kitted out bluewater cruising yacht that has just returned to the US East Coast from 3 years cruising the Caribbean and Bahamas. We have massively refit her ($150k+) since buying her in 2020, upgrading, replacing or servicing virtually every system on the boat, which has made her an extremely reliable cruising machine, both sailing offshore and living off-grid at anchor. She has carried our little family safely and comfortably through all conditions and has been a delightful home to raise our daughter, but it’s come time for us to move back to land to continue with our careers, so now she’s available to new owners that are ready to head offshore and back to the islands.Built in the Netherlands to Lloyds specifications, she was one of the last Contest 46s, being built with an optional sugar scoop transom bringing her Length On Deck to 48.5', which was re-branded as the Contest 48 in 1996. She was optioned by the commissioning owner to be a powerful cruising yacht, with an upgraded Perkins Sabre M135hp engine, hydraulic bowthruster and windlass, cutter rig with electric mainsail furling, electric winches for push button sail handling, and hard dodger that provides a safe and dry cockpit in any conditions. She is solo sailed with ease, making her a great boat for a couple or family, where shorthanded sailing is the norm.We have priced her very aggressively to encourage a quick sale. I do not believe that you will be able to find another vessel in this size, class, and condition with this much recent equipment at a better price.Read on for more photos, a description of some of the highlights of the boat, and a full specification and equipment list including dates of all major refitted items.

Exterior & Deck

Spacious flush decks - Paradox's deck layout includes a huge flush foredeck and spacious flush aft deck with wide clear walk ways around the cockpit and cabintop.Safe center cockpit and hard dodger - when you're tucked into the cockpit under the hard dodger you are protected from the elements and feel safe and secure even in heavy seas. This has been one of the most important features to us, particularly sailing with our young daughter.Versatile cutter rig with push-button electric sail handling - Selden electric in-mast furling and three Lewmar electric winches make setting sail incredibly quick and easy. All lines are lead to the cockpit and unfurling, reefing, and furling an instantaneous affair. There is never an excuse not to reef, even in miserable weather, when it only takes an effortless few seconds from where you are seated safely in the cockpit. This has proven to be the single greatest safety feature of the boat. The downwind whisker/spinnaker pole mounted on the mast makes sailing deep downwind with the genoa poled out stable and efficient, particularly with the main prevented out as well.Hydraulic bowthruster and windlass - Both are powered by an engine-driven hydraulic pump, giving tremendous power that doesn't sag like with battery-driven electrical motors. The bowthruster makes maneuvering this big boat a breeze in tight spaces, even in reverse. The Lewmar V4 windlass has no trouble picking up chain and the oversized anchor in even 50'+ deep anchorages.Anchoring System - An 85lb Mantus M2, 330' of Acco G43 3/8" chain, heavy stainless steel anchor roller platform, chain lock, and Lewmar windlass make for a rock solid ground tackle system. We have spent 1000+ nights at anchor sleeping soundly.Sugar scoop with swim ladder and shower - an absolute must for tropical living, when you're in and out of the water constantly

Salon & Galley

There is no better layout for a center cockpit boat in this size range, maximizing functional space, storage, and headroom (current owner is 6'1").The salon maxes great use of the space with a 'U'-shaped and straight settee with teak dining table with storage and two drop-down leaves. The settees are 6'+ and make great sea berths during heavy weather sailing. Likewise, there is always a handhold within reach so movement throughout the boat while underway is safe and easy.The galley has lots of food prep space, a 3-burner range, a front-opening fridge, and a top-loading freezer.

Aft Cabin & Head

The star of the show is the incredible owner's suite aft cabin with a centerline queen bed, two hanging lockers plus 4 cabinets, and en suite bathroom with electric toilet and separate shower stall.

Fwd Cabins & Head

Forward of the salon there are two cabins and a head with separate shower stall.On the port side is the bunk berth that has been an awesome bedroom for our daughter. The bottom bunk has a leaf that folds out to make it wider with an additional mattress cushion. There are three storage cabinets and one hanging locker.Forward is the spacious V-berth with two cabinets and a utility locker storage locker.To starboard is the forward head, with electric toilet and separate shower stall.

Engine

Powerful, Reliable Engine - The Perkins Sabre M135 is a simple and powerful naturally aspirated 6-cylinder diesel engine with none of the electronic control systems that can make some modern engines unreliable and challenging to diagnose and repair in remote locations. In our 5 years of ownership, she has never failed to start within the 1st second of cranking and has never so much as hiccuped underway. With a max rated 129hp at 2600rpm, she happily chugs along at a cruising speed of 6-6.5kts at only 1400rpm burning just 1.3 gallons per hour, giving a cruising range of over 600nm. If you're in a pinch, rev her up and she'll push the boat well over 8 knots. Access to the engine is hard to beat with a dedicated engine room with 5 large access doors and enough room to sit inside.

Electrical System

LifePo4 Battery System with programmable Victron and Balmar charging sources - an entirely new house 24V battery system was designed from the ground up and installed in December 2023. The system is centered around 3x Epoch marine 24v 100AH batteries in parallel. Each of the batteries is protected by its own 150A Class-T fuse and routed through brand new equal length Ancor 1/0 cable routed to a central Blue Sea distribution bus. All of the charging sources (solar, AC battery charger, alternator) are modern programmable Victron and Balmar units designed for use with lithium installations. Monitoring is handled via bluetooth accessible Victron BMV-712 and each battery has an internal BMS that can be monitored via bluetooth app and has additional external monitors. This installation exceeds the ABYC E-13 standards, so insurance will never be a problem. The system has worked flawlessly since installation.Energy and water independence - the 4 solar panels, providing 1135W of power, in combination with the lithium battery bank make for total energy independence allowing us to spend weeks and even months at anchor in remote places. The watermaker, providing 22-25gph (depending on water temperature) make keeping water tanks full a breeze while running off inverted power that the solar provides.

Electronics & Communications System

Every single component of the electronics and communications system has been replaced with a new, modern NMEA2000 system (mostly Garmin units), including chartplotter, instruments, radar, AIS, VHF, autopilot, wind and depth transducers, etc, etc. This involved painstakingly removing over 1500' of old wires and data cables and designing a robust and simple NMEA2000 system that communicates flawlessly and will make any future upgrades a trivial plug-and-play procedure. Hundreds of hours went into this upgrade and the results can be seen in the included Electronics Schematic picture.

Dinghy & Outboard

The dinghy is a 2020 (commissioned in 2021) Highfield CL310 10' RIB. Hypalon tubes and aluminum double floor construction with bow locker make for a rock solid platform for long dinghy rides and spearfishing sessions. The dinghy has zero leaks or patches - we add air roughly once per year. Chaps were built in Summer 2024 for extra protection.The outboard is a reliable 2020 Tohatsu 9.8hp 4-stroke w/ carburetor. She's a simple, fuel efficient workhorse that pushes our family of three at around 15kts.

Complete Equipment List

Specs
Builder: Conyplex, Contest Yachts, Netherlands
Designer: Dick Zaal
Keel: Fin w/ wing
Rudder: Skeg HungDimensions
LOA: 50'
LOD: 48.5'
Beam: 13.75'
Maximum Draft: 5.9'
Displacement: 42000 lbs
Ballast: 14300 lbs
Bridge Clearance: 71 ft 0 inTankage
Water: 200 Gallons (2x 100gal stainless steel tanks)
Diesel: 150 Gallons (1x stainless steel tank)
Waste: 30 Gallons (2x 15gal plastic tanks)Interior
• Beautiful satin teak interior with teak and holly floors
• Air conditioning (aft cabin) - reverse cycle - Frigoboat
• Webasto diesel heater system - blows to all cabins and heats hot water tanks
• 5 deck hatches - replaced 2021
• 14 portlights total - 7 fixed, 7 opening
• LED interior and exterior lighting
• 6 Caframo fans - replaced 2024-25
• Mattresses replaced with new foam and Sunbrella Oyster canvas - 2021
• Lee clothsGalley
• Techimpex 3-burner range and oven
• LPG/Propane system completely replaced - new hoses and fittings (2020), regulator, solenoid and 2 10lb tanks - 2024
• Xintex LPG/propane fume alarm - 2020
• Frigoboat Stainless upright refrigerator/freezer combo
• Isotherm compact air-cooled freezer in top-loading ice box - 2021
• Double stainless sinks and faucet w/ pull-down sprayer - 2020
• Third centerline sink on galley peninsula with pressurized and manual pump operation
• 1900W Electric kettle
• Toaster oven
• Siemens microwaveElectrical Systems
• DC system - 24v for heavy loads & 12v for electronics, communications, lighting
• AC system - 230v 50hz/240v 60hz - European 230v/50hz systems w/ shore power system wired to accept USA 240V/60hz/50A dock connections, making the boat fully adaptable to US or EU power sources.
• Mastervolt 2500W inverter - 24V in > 230v/50hz out - can power any AC load on the boat
• Full Lithium (LifePo4) battery conversion w/ all associated charging sources, monitoring, cabling, fusing, etc - Dec 2023
• Epoch LifePo4 24v batteries x3 in parallel for 300AH/7200wh @ 24v (equivalent to 600AH 12V system). Internal BMSs w/ bluetooth communication and external monitors - 2023
• Class T fuses x3 with all new Ancor cabling protect lithium batteries - 2023
• Victron BMV-712 Smart Battery Monitor and shunt w/ bluetooth - 2023
• Blue Sea System VSM AC & DC electrical monitor
• 1135W Solar Panels - 585w bifacial on davits, Xantrex 330w on bimini, Xantrex 115W x2 on dodger - 2023-24
• Victron Smart Solar MPPT Charge Controllers w/ bluetooth x3 - controlling each panel independently - 2023-24
• Victron Skylla 24/100 battery charger - accepts 180V-265V/45-65hz - 2020
• Victron ArgoFET batter isolator - 2023
• Balmar 70A (@24V) high output alternator w/ 8-groove serpentine belt
• Balmar MC-624 programmable external alternator regulator
• Balmar APM-24 alternator protection module - 2023
• Galvanic isolator for shorepower connection
• AC system re-wired with new breakers and AC source selection switch - 2021
• Engine starting battery bank - 2x West Marine G31 AGMs in series @24V - 2021
• 50A shore power cord
• Smartplug 50A shorepower connection - 2019Electronics & Communications Systems
• Complete refit in 2020-21. Every single piece of electronics & comms equipment and every foot of wire and data cable replaced with a new NMEA200 system
• Garmin 942xs chartplotter in cockpit - 2020
• Garmin 4208 chartplotter at nav station
• Garmin HD 18+ Radar - 2020
• Garmin GMS10 Network Expander - 2020
• Garmin GNX20 (x3) multi instrument displays - 2020
• Garmin GNX Wind instrument display - 2020
• Garmin Gwind wind transducer - 2023
• Garmin depth transducer - 2023
• Garmin speed transducer - 2020
• Garmin AHC20 Autopilot controller display - 2020
• Garmin Reactor 40 CCU compass - 2020
• Garmin 24V autopilot ECU - 2020
• Garmin GRF10 Rudder feedback unit - 2020
• Lewmar Mamba 24v autopilot rotary drive unit
• Vesper XB8000 AIS transceiver - also acts as wireless NMEA2000 gateway - 2023
• Vesper VHF/AIS Splitter - 2020
• VHF cable replaced w/ LMR-400 cable from masthead all the way to VHF and AIS - 2020
• Standard Horizon GC1850 VHF - 2020
• Standard Horizon RAM4 remote VHF in cockpit - 2024
• Starlink Gen2 Standard Dish system - 2023Mechanical
• Hydraulic Bowthruster
• Perkins Sabre M135 (129hp at 2600rpm) engine - ~2750 hours as of June 2025
• ZF45A hydraulic transmission
• Fuel tank - stainless steel 150gal
• Separ dual fuel filter
• Fixed 3-blade prop
• Dual 24V engine room blowers, routed to cool alternator - 2024
• Stainless steel exhaust mixing elbow - 2023
• Prop shaft - 45mm diameter Aquamet-22 alloy - replaced 2020
• Cutless bearing - 2020
• Transmission damper plate replaced - 2020
• Engine raw water pump replaced - 2020
• Engine exhaust 4" hose entirely replaced - 2020
• Transmission oil cooler replaced - 2022
• Stuffing box re-packed - 2024
• Impellers and belts replaced annually
• Engine oil and filters replaced every 250 hours
• Coolant tank replaced 2022
• Excellent engine, transmission, and prop shaft access via dedicated engine room
• Whitlock Pedestal w/ single lever control
• Whitlock/Lewmar Mamba steering system - torque tubes and gear boxes (no cables)
• Lewmar Mamba BG30 Steering Reduction Gearbox replaced - 2024Plumbing
• Watermaker - HRO System 9 230V/50hz ~22GPH @ 80* water temp - new membranes in 2023
• Jabsco Quiet Flush electric toilets in both heads - 2024
• All blackwater hoses (Shields Poly X), holding tanks (Ronco 15gal), and fittings completely replaced - 2021
• Freshwater pump - Shurflo - 2024
• Shower sump pumps (fore and aft showers) - Flojet - 2021
• Primary bilge pump - 24v Rule 2000GPH - and float switch - 2024
• Bilge Pump for stuffing box well - Whale Gulper - 2020
• Manual Bilge Pump in cockpit - rebuilt 2020
• Macerator pump for galley sink - Seaflo - 2024
• Bilge highwater alarm - 2021
• Deck washdown hose fitting connected to freshwater system - 2024
• Transom shower - Whale Swim 'n' Rinse - 2023
• Eumenia Sparmeister 800 clothes washing machine/dryer
• 9 thru-hulls and valves replaced since 2020, all inspected and exervised regularlySails & Rigging
• Mast - Selden with 24V electric in-mast furling w/ manual override
• Sails - Zoom Sails - Dimension Polyant AP Blade material w/ Tenara thread - 110% Genoa with foam luff and reinforced leach, 100% staysail, in-mast mainsail - very good condition, still crispy - purchased 2020, installed 2021
• Spinnaker - assymetrical spinnaker set on continuous furler
• Selden downwind pole set on mast track
• Standing Rigging - all standing rigging, fittings, and chainplates replaced with new in May 2018 and professionally inspected regularly (2020, 2023, 2024)
• Chainplates rebedded - 2021
• Running rigging (good condition) - 2020
• Cockpit winches - two electric Lewmar 58ST Ocean primaries, one electric Lewmar 44ST Ocean outhaul winch, two Lewmar 40ST manual winches - serviced 2024
• Mast winches - Lewmar 43, Lewmar 40, Andersen 10 - serviced 2024Deck
• Teak decks professionally removed, fiberglassed, and faired - 2017
• Non-skid decks repainted - 2024
• Hard dodger with all around glass with opening forward window - dodger roof replaced with new airex cored unit in 2021
• Stainless steel bow pulpit w/ two rollers
• 85lb Mantus M2 anchor - 2020
• 330' of 3/8" G43 ACCO chain - 2021
• 2x backup 45lb danforth style anchors mounted in stainless steel brackets on aft railings w/ ~200' of 3-strand 3/4" rode and 50' chain
• Lewmar chain lock
• Lewmar V4 hydraulic Windlass - rebuilt with new hydraulic motor and gypsy - 2023
• Hydraulic hoses replaced - 2021
• Stainless steel solid railings surrounding aft half of boat
• Dyneema Lifelines (forward half of boat) - 2020
• Sugar scoop transom with swim ladder and transom shower
• Bimini, eisenglass removable connector, and stainless frame - 2021
• Cockpit cushions - recovered in Sunbrella - 2022
• Cockpit folding table - solid teak w/ 9 coats varnish - 2021
• Freshwater deck washdown - 2024
• Assorted fenders and docklines
• Davit system for lifting dinghy
• Forespar outboard motor hoist
• Dinghy - 2020 Highfield CL310 - aluminum w/ double floor and bow lockers - no leaks or patches - put in service in 2021
• Dinghy chaps and outboard cover - Sunbrella - 2024
• Outboard - 2020 Tohatsu 9.8hp 4-stroke - put in service in 2021Safety
• Liferaft - 6 person Datrex ISO9620.1 - next service Oct 2026
• Jonbuoy inflatable Danbuoy and Horseshoe - 2020, serviced 2024
• Lifesling - MOB recovery system
• Jacklines - - 2020
• EPIRB - ACR Global Fix V4 - next service 10/2027
• Additional EPIRB/PLBs - 1 expired EPIRB and 2 expired PLBs that are tested 2x annually
• Type II PFDs x4 - new in package
• Flares - 2024
• Emergency tiller
• 4 harness points in cockpit
• Engine Room Automatic Fire Extinguisher - Xintex Fireboy - 2020, inspected 2024
• 4x Fire Extinguishers - 2020, inspected 2024
• Fire blanket
• Mast mounted radar reflector
• Drogue

Interested?