When the wind is blowing at 25 to 30 knots from the west against the outgoing water in the Texel Current, you don't necessarily want to be travelling in a sailing boat. The waves become high and steep due to the wind-against-current situation. The good thing, however, is that the conditions are ideal for a test, as almost every boat sails reasonably well in a medium breeze and smooth water. Ideal conditions for testing the Contest 49 CS. After all, the boats from the Medemblik shipyard have always been known for their solid construction and good sea behaviour.
The brand-new 49 had never travelled in such conditions before, so everyone involved was eager to see whether the design office Judel Vrolijk & Co and the shipyard had done a good job in the planning and construction. This much in advance: they did. As the ship is initially heading to leeward, at 120 to 130 degrees to the apparent wind, the entire wardrobe is rolled out at the request of the shipyard representatives. A fully battened main is standard, but the owner of the test boat wanted one that turns into the mast. Thanks to hydraulics, this works just as well as with the electrically rotating genoa. The backstay tensioner also works hydraulically.
The Contest 49 CS handles wind and waves well
So off we go: standing upwind, the helmsman keeps an overview. What follows is impressive. The wind howls and the ship sets off, making its way through the waves. The fact that there is a lot of pressure in the air does not affect the 15 metre long hull. It is able to utilise the power of the rig perfectly. The way it picks up speed in gusts is astonishing for a ship of this orientation. It seems to be very powerful, but at the same time confident on the wheel, and the gusts can usually be steered. Once, however, the helmsman is inattentive and drops too late: the boat luffs, the current is lost at the very low single rudder. No drama, because the mainsheet arrives directly between the wheels on a platform at a very comfortable working height. When it is lowered, the 23 tonnes obey the steering commands again. Luckily, it is also possible to hoist the mainsheet at the touch of a button.
Despite 30 knots of wind and far too much sail area, it's fun. Yes, it requires concentrated steering, but it works - at least on courses of around 120 degrees. And if a wave helps, 14-knot surfs are also possible with such a blue-water hummer.
Good compromise between volume in the bow and seaworthiness
However, as this setup is by no means in line with the usual practice - it is ultimately material-killing - reefing is used. The speed remains in the high single-digit range. Jibes replace the Q-turns that were previously made in the narrowing fairway. Despite the wind and waves, it is quite relaxed. Then the way back. The Contest is now also performing as expected in the wind: the pressure in the boat and rudder is pleasant but noticeable. If you like it more neutral, reduce the main further. Thanks to the direct transmission with rods, the rudder has no play, everything is easy and direct. Sitting on the coaming, you can steer the Contest over the waves with ease. The waves sometimes lash over the foredeck, but the cockpit itself is around 15 centimetres lower than the gangways and is also protected by a coaming that extends far aft, so everything stays dry. This alone and the aplomb already described ensure carefree cruising - even at 25 knots of wind speed.
However, strong gusts, waves and current prevent serious speed measurements. With waves around one and a half metres high, the boat turns around 90 degrees. It accelerates through the water at seven to eight knots. However, as I said, these are approximate values. According to the polar diagram, around 85 degrees should be possible at eight knots boat speed and 20 knots true wind, but without waves. That's about right. Perhaps more important with such a passage maker is the sea behaviour. The hull dives in smoothly, even if you deliberately sail too pointedly over the wave at high speed. No pitching or crashing. Judel/Vrolijk & Co have found a good compromise between volume in the foredeck - after all, that's where the owner's cabin is - and seaworthiness. Chapeau!
Contest works with acousticians to dampen noise
Keyword owner's cabin. If you go there under sail, you notice a whole range of things. The high, light-coloured saloon is very spacious and at first glance doesn't seem very seaworthy because it is so spacious. In reality, however, there are handrails subtly attached to the ceiling, next to the companionway and on the steps to the foredeck, and more can be added at any time if the owner wishes. All the furniture corners are also round and offer firm handholds. Seaworthiness and design are therefore perfectly compatible. The next noticeable feature is that all doors open easily despite maximum backstay tension. This speaks in favour of the structure and is made easier by the mast always standing on the keel foot in Contest. The deck does not have to absorb the compression pressure. And: it is quiet. It's fascinating how the water rushes past the hull windows in the foredeck and you don't notice anything of the 30 knots outside on deck.
Contest hires an engineering firm for noise insulation for each ship, which specifically searches for sources of noise. You realise that the engineers know their job at the latest when the engine starts. Downsized four cylinders do not run as smoothly as their six counterparts would. In the engine compartment, the common rail Yanmar also makes a noticeable rumbling noise, but none of it is heard outside. One small detail that reveals Contest's determination to deliver a truly perfect boat is the orange-coloured kit that surrounds all openings in the engine compartment. This ensures that sound bridges are consistently closed. The sound measurements show no difference between the engine running and switched off, partly due to the wind on deck. This is certainly an industry benchmark.
The Contest 49 CS also impresses with its detailed solutions
Speaking of benchmarks: another very useful feature is a small hand pump. It is located under a floor board in the saloon, all laid rattle-free, behind the diesel distributor. It reaches down to the bottom of the 700 litre tank. From there, accumulated dirt and water can be easily pumped out, as draining from the underside is not possible: the tank is installed in the centre of the boat and directly on the keel for weight reasons. Naturally, a switchable double fuel filter with water separator is installed in front of the Yanmar, and there is also an alarm for water in the fuel.
Another example of the many beautiful details is the wooden panelling of the main bulkhead. It consists of staggered wooden bars. It's really chic. When the timber merchant said that the radii in the main bulkhead requested by the interior designers Wetzels Brown Partners were not feasible, this was an incentive for the carpenters at the shipyard. They proved that it was possible.
The woodwork is really impressive throughout. The overall impression is one of utter solidity, nothing wobbles or creaks, everything is well thought out. One example of this is the pull-out cupboard for the coffee machine. It is in love with detail and practical, yet built to last with high-quality fittings. A lot of material value and many hours of labour have gone into it. This applies to the entire extension. Easy-to-use storage options everywhere, lots of drawers and particularly pleasing: plenty of room to move around, so that there is always a feeling of spaciousness. This is further enhanced by the light-coloured oak wood (other types of wood are of course possible) and the light-coloured panelling on the ceiling.
The differences between the Contest models 49 and 50
The only option in the interior is the navigation table. If it needs to be particularly large, the wet room is smaller. The toilet and shower aft are shared by the occupants of the two aft cabins. Their berths can be moved. This means that the crew can snuggle up or not, depending on their preference. All beds have leeboards and are a comfortable size. The ship has a headroom of two metres throughout. In the saloon, the movable stools, which are bolted to the floor, can either be used to create a large sea berth, which can also be used as a chaise longue, or you can sit at the large fold-out table.
The 49 and the likewise new 50 share a hull, but are fundamentally different in concept. Why two new ships at once? Shipyard boss Arjen Conijn explains it like this: "The 49 is the next logical step after our very successful 42. We recognised that there is a market for very high-quality ships with two aft compartments and aft helm stations. Of course, there will always be a 50-footer with a centre cockpit. So we came up with two boats. So the customer has a choice."
A clever move, because now it's not just the Oysters and Hallberg-Rassys that serve as competitors, but also shipyards such as X-Yachts, Solaris, Arcona and Swan.
Electric motor is optional
Another novelty is the option of an electric drive. A 50 kW Torqeedo motor is powered by one or two batteries. These come from the BMW i3, as Torqeedo explains. The generator then increases its output from 4 to 20 kW. The additional price for the e-drive is around 100,000 euros, depending on the choice of batteries.
The Contest 49 is a great yacht, easy to sail and easy to handle. It is elaborately built using the one-shot vacuum process with vinyl ester resin and foam sandwich. That is solid. The interior is on a superyacht level and is seaworthy and practical. Not much more is possible on 50 feet. It is clear that superyacht quality is not available at a mass-produced price.
One and a half, at the end of the options list probably closer to two million euros is a perfectly adequate value for such a ship.
The Contest 49 CS in detail
Technical data
- Designer: Judel/Vrolijk & Co
- Hull length: 15.20 m
- Total length: 16.10 m
- Waterline length: 14.50 m
- Width: 4.90 m
- Draught: 2.35 m
- Mast height above WL: 24.60 m
- Theoretical hull speed: 9.25 knots
- Weight: 20.9 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion: 8.0 t/39 %
- CE design category: A
- Mainsail: 73.0 m²
- Furling genoa (106 %): 60.0 m²
- Engine (Yanmar): 81 kW/110 hp
- Fuel tank: 700 litres
- Fresh water tanks: 700 litres
- Holding tanks (2): 60 litres
- Batteries: 2x 50 Ah 12 V, 150 + 200 Ah 40 V
Rig and sail
You can choose between a conventional rig or a furling mast for an extra 50,000 euros. The sails are standard.
Grey water
An additional grey water pump with a flexible hose is installed, which reaches every area of the ship.
Expansion versions
With a large chart table, the wet room aft shrinks. There is also a separate shower there as standard. Otherwise, Contest does not currently offer any extension options. Instead, there is the 50 CS.
Equipment and prices
- Base price ex shipyard: € 1,552,000
- Standard equipment included: engine, mainsail, genoa, sheets, sailcloth, anchor/chain, railing, fenders/mooring, position lanterns, battery, compass, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, WC, fire extinguisher, electric cooler, waste tank with suction, antifouling, clear sailing handover
- Warranty/against osmosis: 1/1 year
YACHT rating
A yacht in a class of its own. Built to a very high standard, with great attention to detail and an extremely pleasing appearance. Fully equipped at 23 tonnes, but heavy and therefore a real cruising yacht. The quality and the very complete equipment explain the price
Design and concept
- + Elaborate design
- + Stiff hull
- + Carbon reinforced floor assembly
- + Very complete equipment
- + High-quality components
Sailing performance and trim
- + Powerful trimming devices
- + Direct control feel
- - Not a Traveller
Living and finishing quality
- + Expansion at the highest level
- + Plenty of usable storage space
- + Sliding aft berths
- + Seaworthy expansion
- - Ventilation of the aft cabins
Equipment and technology
- + Very good noise insulation
- + Safe fuel system
- + Cleanly executed electrics
The competition of the Contest 49 CS
Arcona 50
Sporty and high-quality cruiser with open aft cockpit, designed by Niels Jeppesen. Spacious layout with two aft cabins and owner's cabin forward. Double rudder.
- Hull length: 14.99 m
- Width: 4.60 m
- Weight: tba
- Price: tba
Hallberg-Rassy 50
Cruiser with centre cockpit. The owner sleeps aft, two cabins are possible in the foredeck. Hardly any variation in layout and design from the shipyard. Tight berth dimensions.
- Hull length: 15.23 m
- Width: 5.00 m
- Weight: 21 tonnes
- Price: 1.13 million euros
Oceanis Yacht 54
Large series yacht with luxury allure. She shares the hull with the sporty First 53. Double helm position aft and double rudder blades. Large berth dimensions.
- Hull length: 15.98 m
- Width: 5.00 m
- Weight: 16.6 tonnes
- Price: from 667,600 euros
Oyster 495
Typical centre cockpit yacht from England, but with the helm position slightly raised in relation to the lounge cockpit. Clearly equipped as a cruiser on the sail side.
- Hull length: 15.15 m
- Width: 4.77 m
- Weight: 21.0 tonnes
- Price: from 1.7 million euros
