Contest Yachts has expanded its ambitious programme, which ranges from 42 to 85 feet, in the lower segment. The Dutch company is launching two new models in the 15-metre size, with both boats sharing the same hull. The 50 CS is a centre-cockpit yacht with a central aft cabin. The 49 CS, on the other hand, comes with two cabins in the stern and a modified cockpit. The steering columns are raised almost to deck level and the guest cockpit is lower. The cockpit of the 49 is open aft of the steering columns, while that of the 50 is semi-enclosed by two seats.
YACHT has already had the opportunity to test the Contest 49 CS in the wind and waves of the Wadden Sea. Around 30 knots provided a good load and performance test, which the youngest boat from Medemblik on the IJsselmeer passed with flying colours. She even carried a full set of sails on the beam, and then logged speeds of up to 14 knots. At the cross she was easy to handle with a reduced sail area, entered the waves smoothly and was great fun for the crew once she had confirmed the trust placed in her.
Good acoustics below deck
Surprising given the conditions: Almost nothing could be heard or felt from the wind below deck on the luxury yacht, no creaking or squeaking of dressings or panelling, no jamming doors. Just silence - a big plus on a long journey. You could also hardly hear whether the engine was running. The fact that Contest works with an external acoustics office to reduce noise sources pays off here. Features that will also apply to the Contest 50.
The high level of craftsmanship can be felt in every area of both boats and gives the Contest superyacht aura in a handy format. A generous amount of space, which has been skilfully used and divided up, also contributes to this. The rooms are large, the doors wide, the storage spaces well distributed and appropriately sized. In addition to the perfectly executed woodwork, the surface design by the interior designers at Wetzels Brown Partners is modern, dignified, individual and of high quality. The actual construction of the luxury yacht comes from Judel/Vrolijk, and the Contest 49 CS, like the Contest 50 CS, is built using the vacuum infusion process. The bulkheads and reinforcements are also made of sandwich under vacuum. The floor assembly is reinforced with carbon fibre.
Technical data:
- Hull length 15.20 m
- Waterline length 14.50 m
- Width 4.90 m
- Draught 2.35 m
- Mainsail 73.0 m²
- Furling genoa 60.0 m²
- Engine 110 hp
- Sail carrying capacity 4.2
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