The announcement comes with plenty of surprise. The yacht builders in Holland have quietly and modestly converted their popular 17-metre blue water yacht. The new boat is now apparently already finished and on its way to Düsseldorf. As a further development of the 55CS (YACHT 20/2020 test), the hull and hull appendages remain unchanged on the new model. The relatively deep single rudder and an L-keel with ballast bomb at a draught of 2.55 metres are standard. The design comes from Judel Vrolijk & Co.
As an innovation, Contest has installed more and larger hull windows in the new model. The bathing hatch at the stern has also become significantly larger and closes all the way to the deck. This provides a larger opening to the dinghy garage and the dinghy can be stowed away more easily. There are also significant changes on deck. The working cockpit with the two steering columns on the new model is slightly lower than on the previous model. This means that the helmsman is slightly lower but no longer so exposed at the wheel. However, the guest cockpit further forwards is still clearly recessed and thus offers good protection and a safe feeling when travelling.
The solid hardtop is available on request
Contest now also offers the 56CS with a hardtop bimini over the cockpit. The fixed roof is equipped with a large window at the rear so that the helmsman's view of the mainsail is not restricted. The hardtop can also be combined with a fixed windscreen to create a wide-span dodger - an exciting option for use as an ocean-going yacht on long trips. However, the exhibition boat in Düsseldorf is not equipped with the hardtop option. Compared to the previous model, the rig of the new 56CS is around 55 centimetres higher and can therefore carry more sail area. In addition, the furling system for the genoa is now mounted below deck.
The Contest shipyard has also put a lot of development work into the model revision of the interior fittings. In collaboration with the designers at the Wetzels Brown Design studio in Amsterdam, the look in particular has been modernised. But there have also been changes to the layout: A fourth double cabin with Pullman berths aft is now possible. In addition, rain showers are now also possible in the two very generously equipped bathrooms (see layouts in the gallery above).
Contest is currently working on a concrete price list for the 56CS. This will certainly be available for the première at the trade fair in Düsseldorf. The shipyard estimates an initial rough price for the basic model at around 2.2 million euros (net, excluding VAT).
The new Contest 56CS can be seen as a world premiere at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf from next Saturday, 17 January: Hall 16, Stand C54.
Technical data Contest 56CS
- Designer: Judel Vrolijk & Co.
- Interior Design: Wetzels Brown
- Hull length: 17.00 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 18.10 m
- Waterline length: 15.83 m
- Width: 5.02 m
- Weight: 24.96 tonnes
- Standard draught: 2.55 m
- Mast height above waterline : 26.60 m
- Mainsail: 91,80 m2
- Genoa (106%): 74.0 m2
- Motorisation: 150 hp / Yanmar turbo diesel
- Fuel capacity: 835 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 706 litres
