Contest 49CS, an Elegant Aft-cockpit Addition to the Shipyard’s Bluewater Fleet

Contest Yachts announces the all-new bluewater Contest 49CS, a beautiful aft-cockpit addition to the shipyard’s famed 50ft/15m centre-cockpit core. 

Contest Yachts’ CEO Arjen Conijn says, “We have led the centre cockpit market for so long because we do this very well, as we have again with the very recently announced beautiful Contest 50CS. We also, though, have customers at this length leaning towards an aft cockpit arrangement while still looking for the same high-quality build and comforts of Contest without resorting to the less comfortable, less practical Med-styling of other makers. So, we started to look at our 13-metre 42CS that is so enjoyed for its great cockpit and twin aft cabin plan; to think it a size bigger, and our sketching started to show maybe we could do this differently.”

With long-term design partners judel/vrolijk & co for naval architecture, Wetzels Brown Partners for interiors, and Lloyd’s Register for world-leading compliance and classification, the Contest 49CS not only took shape but started selling off plan.

Johan Siefer of judel/vrolijk says, “It has all been worked with handsome effect. Key throughout design development were interior volumes, stability and simultaneously heightened upwind and light wind performance. And in physical terms we have less heel, less drag, less moment in the waves. So, it is smoother, more comfortable.”

Then there is the forward positioning of the twin helm stations, not with wheels so typically seen pushed back into the pushpit area. Instead, on the Contest 49CS the helm is by nature more secure and also more connected with the forward leisure cockpit, which in Contest tradition is deep, comfortable and perfectly set for confidence in all conditions. Another attractive feature of this arrangement is then a wonderful aft deck for beanbag lounging and a fascinating new take on aft-cockpit sailing.

And with Contest Yachts’ single-shot vacuum infusion composite construction technologies, the structure is stiff and strong yet still light for type and comprehensively Lloyd’s certified.

Below decks are the high ceilinged, spacious twin cabins aft; the two-sided corridor galley; the large and freshly styled saloon; and the fully serviced master suite forward, featuring cabinetry, lighting, styling and hull glazing.

As Arjen Conijn says, “With the Contest 49CS it’s a completely different feeling to that of a normal aft-cockpit where everything inside at the back is conventionally relatively low. And this arrangement works really so well for families sailing with children, giving parents private space forward, and two large, equal cabins aft. And with the option of twin beds or double, this works well for guests too. Plus with the 49CS we have a tender garage that’s really handy for quick launch and retrieval. It’s tidier, too.”

Contest 49CS main dimensions