07 Mar
It’s not every day you get to go behind-the-scenes at one of the world’s best semi-custom sailing yacht builders, but Contest is opening the factory doors for a special event.
The award-winning Dutch builder will hold its annual Open House celebration of the brand on 5 April with factory tours, opportunities to view models from the Contest range of superbly crafted luxury bluewater cruising yachts, information talks on key aspects of any build and cruising experiences such as the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers).
Located at Medemblik, about an hour-and-a-half north of Amsterdam, Contest is a proud third-generation family business founded in 1959. Since then Contest has developed a dedicated following for their beautifully constructed, fun-to-sail, luxurious, and reassuringly sea-worthy designs.
Those fortunate enough to make it to Medemblik will have the opportunity to inspect the newly crowned 2025 European Yacht of the Year, the stunning 19-metre Contest 63CS.
In taking out the Luxury Cruiser category of EYOTY, Contest 63CS earned high praise from the judges.
“The Contest 63CS is a class act, a premium modern-day cruising yacht which concentrates this family-run Dutch yard’s decades of experience into a contemporary, beautifully finished design.”
Jury Quotes
“Offers more than some superyachts. And she sails with a lightness that would by no means suggest her weight,” Lori Schüpbach, SUI
“Despite her 30 tons of weight the performance on the water is as magnificent as the exclusive interior,” Joakim Hermansson, SWE
See the full Yachting World video on the Contest 63CS here:
Close attention to detail reflected in the meticulous interior timber joinery and understated luxury interiors from Wetzels & Brown are Contest hallmarks. Add to that powerful Judel/Vrolijk designed hulls and Contest’s ‘one shot’ vacuum infusion construction, only one of a few boat-builders in this size range to obtain full Lloyd’s Register certification – a mark of excellence that is hard to achieve and which the yard rightly prides itself on – and you begin to understand why Contests are held in such high regard.
Shane Noble from Sydney, whose lovely Contest 55CS Noble Spirit is wintering on the hard stand in Greece had these observations about the Contest’s build quality, engineering, and factory:
“Build quality is exceptional. After two years we’ve hardly had a problem. We’ve sailed nearly 9,000 nautical miles and there haven’t been any significant mechanical or systems issues,” Shane reports.
He’s also well placed to comment on the yard’s customer relations and factory operations as he visited Medemblik four times during Noble Spirit’s construction.
“(Contest CEO)Arjen Conjin ended up being Account Manager for the project,” Shane reveals. “You just get an impression of quality as soon as you walk in the door,” he continues. “They do nearly everything in-house, including their own woodwork shop. The Dutch are known for being exceptional boat-builders and Contest very much follows in that tradition,” he says.
Back in Medemblik, visitors to the Contest’s Open House event will be able to discern for themselves the superior level of engineering and craftsmanship that goes into each of the Contest’s nine semi-custom premium bluewater cruisers, from the Contest 42CS right through to the magnificent 85CS.
Windshift can’t unfortunately make the trip in person but if we did, we would make a beeline for either the centre cockpit/aft master 50CS and Contest’s first aft cockpit/twin aft cabin yacht, the Contest 49CS.
More on both extremely impressive, innovative designs here:
There will be yachts in the water and yachts in the yard, and at every stage of construction, so visitors can follow the process right through from the start of composite construction and outfitting to final delivery.
As well, key partner-suppliers in sails, rigging, electronics, hardware, insurance and more will all be in attendance for personal discussion along with talks and presentations.
Windcraft MD Anthony Bishop is also able to speak first-hand about Contest’s dedication to quality and commitment to turning-out an exceptional, bespoke cruising yacht, having been aboard several Contests.
“Contest offers a discerning sailor the opportunity to own a unique yacht, hand built by skilled craftsmen, using only the highest quality materials, with custom designs that deliver exactly what your family needs,” Anthony explains.
“Stepping onto a Contest yacht this is all immediately obvious,” he continues, adding “if you are considering yachts like Swan, Oyster or Halberg Rassey, then you need to step onboard a Contest. You won’t be disappointed.”
