New yacht in the 15-metre segment: Contest 49 CS: Quality from Holland now with aft cockpit

The 55 CS has only just won the title of "European Yacht of the Year" and the shipyard has already unveiled the new 50 CS. A mid-cockpit yacht in the exciting 15 metre segment, in which Hallberg Rassy, Amel and Oyster are also busy with new models. And then comes the next innovation: the 49, which has the same hull as the 50 CS, but is a further development of the 42 CS. This is probably where the clientele that the shipyard is targeting comes from. "We can see that the 42 CS concept has been well received. The two aft compartments are what customers are looking for. This allows the parents/owners to sleep in the front while the children or guests stay in the back," explains Arjen Conijn.

It doesn't take much imagination to realise that it can get a little cramped on a 42-footer when guests are on board, given the price level of the contest yachts. There is simply not enough space to give the aft compartments not only enough room, but also wet cells. It's a different story on a 50-footer. And while the options for organising the interior are already very versatile on the 42, it will be no different on the 49. On the contrary, because: More space means more options.

On deck, the open foredeck typical of yachts from Medemblik from 50 feet upwards can be recognised. Aft, the cockpit coaming running aft from the deck superstructure, complete with black lines, is somewhat reminiscent of warp nacelles from Star Trek, a contemporary look. According to the shipyard, the ballast has been increased slightly and the light wind characteristics improved at the same time. The cruising yacht will not quite reach warp speed. However, the tests of the latest new models have shown that the Contests are becoming more and more agile and are sailing with great agility. The shipyard is therefore part of the trend that cruising yachts are also becoming increasingly high-performance.

The yacht will be on display at the autumn trade fairs in 2022 at the earliest. The price of the 49 CS is pleasing: it will cost from around 1.3 million euros including 19 percent VAT. In view of the meticulous and high-quality construction for which Contest is known, this is a value that fits in well with the competition.

www.contestyachts.com