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The sailing yacht industry is changing, the flagships of the large series yacht builders are continuously growing in the direction of mini-superyachts. The yacht builders' largest units now have lengths of just under 70 feet - significantly more than five years ago. At that time, BOOTE EXCLUSIV introduced the entry-level class into the realm of superyachts and mainly presented formats with lengths of around 60 feet. "Owners today - especially experienced ones - have much higher expectations of a yacht. They want more space, comfort and performance," says Annick Conijn, Head of Marketing at the Dutch shipyard Contest Yachts.
To prevent satisfied regular customers from leaving, almost all shipyards are upgrading. And even if shipyards such as Contest Yachts have larger sailing yachts in their portfolio, the new upmarket class is important. "This allows us to reach precisely those customers who are not yet ready for a pure custom yacht but still have very clear ideas," says Annick Conijn. In this article, we present four exciting models from Holland, Turkey and England.
Contest 67CS: sailing jazz club
The interior of "Waldron", the first Contest 67CS, amazes even the most experienced yacht connoisseurs. Down here, in the interior of the 39.50 tonne GRP sloop, time seems to stand still. Anyone descending the five steps from the guest cockpit into the saloon is greeted by a dignified, sophisticated jazz club atmosphere. "The owner's passion for fine cigars and good jazz music should be reflected in the interior of his new yacht," explains Gillian Brown, who runs the design studio Wetzels Brown Partners in Amsterdam together with her husband Rob Wetzels and was responsible for the interior layout and tasteful styling.
Teak and light-coloured fabrics dominate the living room and the three cabins, while brass fittings and details in hand-stitched red leather reinforce the high-quality character of the furnishings. A humidor in the custom coffee table is one of the clever features of the saloon furnishings. "The shipyard has outdone itself with this detail," enthuses the Belgian owner. "I knew that I wanted a humidor, but this piece of furniture is a true work of art; I didn't expect it."
Easy handling with a small crew
The 20.30 metre Contest 67CS is the first model to be created by the family-run shipyard based on the lines of the Bremerhaven designers Judel/Vrolijk & Co, who took their cue from the existing model portfolio and yet created an exterior that is more modern and dynamic than the existing Contest fleet. "When developing the new model, the focus was on easy handling with a small crew, but the yacht still had to be suitable for regatta participation," explains shipyard manager Arjen Conijn. The hull and deck were manufactured as a sandwich laminate using the vacuum infusion process, while a fixed keel with a draught of 2.95 metres ensures stability.
The 30.75 metre carbon mast was supplied by Hall Spars, while the sailmakers at North Sails laminated the 3Di wardrobe. With mainsail and genoa, "Waldron" carries 253 square metres of sail; a gennaker can be attached to the permanently installed bowsprit if required. The sheets run on five winches, which can be easily reached from the helm station so that the slip can also be operated comfortably by two people. The guest cockpit, framed by a high coaming and sprayhood, offers space for a maximum of twelve guests, who can feel safe here even in bad weather.
Eight layout options to choose from
The interior layout of the Contest 67CS gives customers a choice of eight different room layouts with three cabins plus a small crew cabin. The experienced "Waldron" owner opted for the owner's suite in the stern, in front of which is the spacious saloon with galley to port and navigation alcove opposite. Two large guest cabins with en-suite bathrooms are located in front, while a small double cabin with bunk beds occupies the bow area and is intended for the crew. The lazarette, which offers space for a large tender plus diving equipment, is accessible via the transom.
The impressively large engine compartment of the 39.50-tonne boat is easily accessible from the owner's cabin and is dominated by a 132-kilowatt Volvo Penta diesel, which acts on a four-bladed Varifold propeller via a hydraulic gearbox. Together with the acoustics specialists from Van Cappellen, Contest Yachts invested a lot of time in the optimal insulation of the technical centre. "We've already had several smaller yachts, but none have been as quiet under engine as 'Waldron'," comments the owner with satisfaction. "Waldron" will not just be a quiet family sailing boat. The contest novelty is to prove itself next year at the ARC transatlantic regatta.
Technical data Contest 67CS
- Length over everything: 20,30 m
- Width:5,65 m
- Depth: 2,95 m
- Displacement:39,50 t
- Sail area (on the wind): 253 square metres
- Construction & Styling: Judel/Vrolijk
- Price (excl. VAT): 2.598.000 €
Euphoria 68: Ascent in series
A top-class design package - that was what shipyard manager Ipek Kıraç wanted for her new flagship. Passionate sailor Kıraç found her dream team in Germán Frers and the English interior professionals from Design Unlimited. An easy-to-sail yacht with an uncluttered deck - that was the design brief given to the Argentinian yacht designer in a single line. With the 21.04 metre long Euphoria 68, the Sirena Marine shipyard, which was founded eleven years ago, is now venturing into the premier league; the semi-custom cruiser is built exclusively to order in the halls in Bursa. The smaller Azimut Benetti models (Azimut 30, 40S, 42E, 55) and all sailing yacht units in the Azuree (Azuree 33, 40, 46) and Euphoria line (Euphoria 54 and 68) are also built there. With Sirena Yachts, Ipek Kıraç also recently launched a motorboat line (Sirena 56, 64), which is also laminated in the modern shipyards.
The series-production shipyard is therefore broadly positioned, but wants to increasingly tackle the market for large sailing boats. The long-awaited launch of the first Euphoria 68 finally shows how much potential the brand has. The build quality from the Turks is outstanding, and a weight of 32 tonnes is quite astonishing for a semi-custom build of this size. The new Euphoria flagship is built in negative moulds as a sandwich (GRP and carbon on a foam core) using the vacuum infusion process, which is a prerequisite for a robust, rigid and durable hull and deck.
Limed oak wood in the interior
The 33.70 metre high mast and Park Avenue boom from Hall Spars have 267 square metres of sail laminate on the wind, which is countered by a 3.80 metre deep keel with 9.4 tonnes of ballast. Germán Frers provided a twin rudder system that gives the 5.84 metre wide sloop optimum control and a direct steering feel even when heeled. A 117-kilowatt Yanmar diesel engine is used as the slack-winding engine, while a Fischer Panda generator with an output of eight kilowatts generates the on-board power.
The modern interior, dominated by limed oak, comes from the computers of the Design Unlimited team led by Mark Tucker, while a glass strip in the deck superstructure provides the saloon with sunlight. The owner has a choice of numerous individualised layout proposals for the room layout. For example, the owner of the first Euphoria 68 opted for a large master suite in the stern, with a chaise longue to starboard and an owner's office opposite. A guest cabin is located in front of and opposite the navigation corner, followed by the saloon with dining table on the port side and the lounge area opposite. The elongated galley is located in front of this, with two further guests living next to it. The crew cabin at the very front of the bow has a separate entrance.
Technical data Euphoria 68
- Length over everything:21,04 m
- Width:5,84 m
- Depth:3,80 m
- Displacement:32 t
- Sail area (on the wind): 267 square metres
- Construction & Styling: Germán Frers
- Price (excl. VAT): 1,800,000 euros
Oyster 675: old values, new styling
Hardly any other shipyard is as closely associated with the term "blue-water cruiser" as the yacht builders from Oyster with halls in Southampton and Norfolk. The Oyster World Rally is testament to the fact that the nine models currently produced by the English company, with lengths between 14.81 and 37.45 metres, are designed and built for solid voyages - no other shipyard encourages owners of its formats to embark on a joint trip around the world with 25 tour stops. Oyster Yachts is unique in this respect. "We are aware of the quality we deliver," says Oyster boss David Tydeman proudly. "Our yachts may not be the lightest, but they are certainly among the most robust and seaworthy on the market."
The new Oyster 675 model is no exception. The 21.07 metre long sloop is built as a sandwich from GRP and - as has been customary for Oyster yachts for years - based on lines from the computers of Humphreys Yacht Design. "We worked intensively on a more modern exterior styling and sportier hull lines, while ensuring that the Oyster DNA remains unmistakable," explains yacht designer Rob Humphreys.
Brightness thanks to large deckhouse windows
The yacht is wider than its predecessors, which according to the designers ensures improved dimensional stability, as well as a double rudder system and a completely flat foredeck with recessed hatches. Customers can choose from a wide range of options for the rigging, the room layout and the type of stern (vertical or with angled transom, with or without steps). Construction number one of the Oyster 675, which is equipped with a centre cockpit, has an aluminium mast from which - contrary to the current trend - a standard spectra sail can be unfurled. "Many of our owners opt for a furling mast and easy-to-operate systems because they want to be self-sufficient and travel without a crew," explains David Tydeman. The deck layout with a higher centre cockpit is based on the same desire. The sheets run on four electric deck winches behind the helm stations so that the helmsman can take over the trim independently.
The size of the diesel tank (1,900 litres) also suggests that the new Oyster - just like its sisters - was designed for long journeys. A 132-kilowatt Volvo Penta engine, which drives a folding propeller from Bruntons, pushes through calms. The British company is known for its efficient sound and vibration insulation, so the latest model is also said to be whisper-quiet when travelling. Thanks to the three vertical hull windows and the large surrounding deckhouse windows, the raised saloon layout impresses with amazing brightness in the saloon. In addition, two of the front windows in the superstructure can be opened and provide natural ventilation in warm climates if required.
Technical data Oyster 675
- Length over everything:21,07 m
- Width: 5,65 m
- Depth: 2,95 m
- Displacement:37,50 t
- Sail area (on the wind): 229 square metres
- Construction: Humphreys Yacht Design
- Price (excl. VAT):2.910.000 €
Pilot Classic 66: a successful mix
These lines catch the eye. Performance Classic Yachts boss Mark Speirs ordered the beautifully shaped design with its slim yacht stern, bulwark, slight deck sweep and vertical stem with bowsprit and water stay from André Hoek. The Dutch designer is regarded as a master of curved hulls in the style of the classic pilot cutters that travelled along the English coast at the end of the 19th century. The British company engaged the Turkish shipyard Metur Yachts, which is very familiar with Hoek's designs and produces the 20.27 metre Pilot Classic 66 as a semi-custom build, as a shipyard partner.
As standard, the cutter-rigged sloop is delivered with a carbon mast, ready to sail for just 1.58 million euros. The airy interior in light-coloured New England style could not look more elegant. With a displacement of just 23 tonnes, the GRP and carbon laminated Pilot Classic 66 weighs significantly less than comparable formats of this size. A 3.20 metre deep keel counteracts the upwind sail area of 254 square metres and thus guarantees sporty sailing action.
Technical data Pilot Classic 66
- Length over everything: 20,27 m
- Width:4,73 m
- Depth:3,20 m
- Displacement: 23 t
- Sail area (on the wind): 254 square metres
- Construction:André Hoek
- Price (excl. VAT): 1 575 000 €
