Contest
True Bluewater Sailing In Luxury
For more than 60 years, Contest has excelled in making high-quality yachts that can take intrepid explorers on ocean journeys around the world.
Few boatbuilders can boast of making true bluewater sailing yachts that can cross almost any ocean, and Contest does it in style.
Everything makes Contest a pure delight to sail, from the centre cockpit and wheel to the many brilliant design features in the bulkhead and engineering. Contest's unique hull vacuum injection mould construction provides strength and solidarity, whilst the hull design makes it smooth to sail.
Handcrafted
These are vessels built by the hands of boatbuilders who have a passion for their craft, and are one of only a few boatbuilders in this class to receive Lloyd’s certification.
Today, Contest is renowned for its superior luxurious quality and performance. It is the perfect choice for those with a spirit of adventure who wish to travel far into the blue.
Custom Made
Contest vessels are custom-made according to the owner’s wishes, with a range of options available, including an all-electric propulsion system, renewable energy sources, a tender garage and customisable kitchen facilities to suit the desires of its future captain.
The modern range extends from sleek and efficient 42CS performance yachts to luxurious 85-foot cruisers. The interiors are created by world-renowned designers to welcome guests in comfort and grace while taking on the deep open seas at a pace.
Building Dreams Together
The Contest team works closely with the customer to provide precisely the right yacht for them, customising each of the customers’ preferences and tailoring each aspect to achieve the overall experience they desire.
The colours, fabrics, look and feel are all bespoke, and they’re even open to accommodating one-off options should the owner have something in particular in mind.
With their heart firmly set on the spirit of exploration, these are yachts of performance and distinction. They will take you around the world and let you enjoy the adventure.
A History of Smooth Sailing
Since their founding in 1959, Contest Yachts has been at the forefront of both performance yachts and mid-size luxury cruisers.
Dutch founder Ed Conjin first produced Gerard Luyten’s design for a sleek racing yacht, the Contest 25, to immediate popularity and success.
In the 70s, Fritz Conjin took the helm. He expanded on their success, with Dick Zaal designing both sleek racing vessels and larger cruisers and production of the Contest 48, fitted out with luxury conveniences customised to the future owner’s tastes.
Contest has been innovating throughout its history, experimenting with every element to find better performance, from the materials used, the sail’s fabrics, the rigging’s shape, electronics and facilities.
They saw the potential in the America’s Cup-winning winged keel in 1979. They recruited its designer, Piet van Oosanen, to join the design team and incorporate the concept into Contest craft through the sailing race attention of the 80s and beyond.
However, perhaps their most important innovation came in the 90s when they were the first to integrate advanced vacuum resin injection techniques into their hull manufacture. Reviewers note the interior’s vibration-free and quiet even while at full sail.
By the 2000s, the Contest 55CS large cruisers became popular, balancing performance with comfort. By request in 2012, a Contest’ superyacht’ was commissioned, and the flagship 72CS was launched.
This achievement opened up design possibilities for the team, who recently outdid themselves with the magnificent 85CS. This elegant vessel is the best of the best for luxury adventure yachts.
Choose Your Contest
Find your dream from the selection of Contest Yachts available.
Contest 42CS
The Contest 42CS offers a range of rigging and layout options. Its sail plan includes an aluminum or carbon two-spreader rig with in-mast, in-boom, or slab reefing. For added versatility, the integrated retractable bowsprit and hidden headsail furler ensure a clean, efficient sail setup. Sail handling configurations can be tailored to your preferences, with the Shorthanded option ideal for solo sailing, while the Performance layout strikes a balance between speed and ease of handling.
Contest 49CS
The aft-cockpit layout on the Contest 49CS opens up the deck for extensive lounging and social space, while also providing excellent visibility and control for the skipper. Twin helm positions are positioned aft, ensuring unobstructed sightlines, while all necessary sail controls are within reach for ease of single-handed or small-crew sailing. A carbon fibre A-frame with an integrated hydraulic furling system simplifies sail handling downwind and contributes to the yacht’s aerodynamic advantage.
Contest 50CS
The Contest 50CS exterior represents the latest in Contest’s design innovations, incorporating sleek, modern lines and practical, sailor-friendly solutions. With a refined, low-profile coach roof, the yacht’s aesthetics are as advanced as its functionality. The coach roof sweeps seamlessly into the aft, where the deep, two-section cockpit offers both comfort and protection, with coaming boards around the helm stations to deflect spray and ensure security at sea.
Contest 55CS
Drawing design cues from the Contest 85CS and 67CS, the Contest 55CS features a sweeping coach roof and an expansive twin-cockpit layout that are visually striking and practically designed. All primary sailing controls are strategically located near the aft helm stations, creating a dedicated, unobstructed lounge area for guests, making the yacht equally functional for solo or small-crew sailing.
Contest 63CS
The Contest 63CS’s exterior is designed with versatility and ease in mind, allowing for relaxed cruising or active sailing, whether solo or with guests. The layout supports single-handed sailing with a sophisticated, short-handed sail management system. All lines, halyards, and sheets lead aft to the helm, enabling the operator to manage sails and course from a single, central point at the dual helm stations. This streamlined setup also includes a central mainsheet winch between the helm positions, which, along with options for self-tacking jibs and in-mast or in-boom reefing, simplifies sail handling.
Contest 67CS
The Contest 67CS exterior combines a sleek aesthetic with functionality optimised for short-handed sailing. Twin helm stations aft feature a central mainsheet winch between them, allowing the helmsman to handle the yacht independently or with minimal crew support. This arrangement is signature to Contest’s design philosophy and keeps the spacious cockpit free from operational equipment, creating a dedicated lounging area where guests can enjoy the surroundings without interruption.