Contest Sailboats for Sale

Contest

A Dutch yard with a long tradition

Contest Yachts comes from Medemblik in the Netherlands and goes back to company founder Ed Conijn. The yard's name is made up of the family name Conijn and the word "test". In 1959 the Contest 25 became the brand's first sailing cruiser, and around 300 of these boats alone were sold to the USA. This early success already shows that Contest built boats with international appeal right from the start.

From classic production boat to semi-custom yacht

Contest's early history is full of models that still resonate in the European bluewater cruising scene today: Contest 25, 29, 31HT and 32CS are legendary names from the early days of GRP construction. Later, however, the yard's focus shifted noticeably upmarket – away from the compact production boat and towards the high-quality bluewater yacht with plenty of individual customization – in other words, semi-custom. On its current website, Contest describes its sailing yachts as performance bluewater cruisers for club racing, offshore cruising and circumnavigation, suitable for couples and family crews alike.

Luxury, yes – but with performance under sail

Contest yachts aim to be luxurious without feeling watered down from a sailing point of view. In its test of the Contest 42CS, the British magazine Yachting World highlighted the quality of the Dutch craftsmanship and the impression of a well thought-out family cruiser. With the Contest 55CS the point was made even more clearly: the yacht won the European Yacht of the Year title in 2021, and the jury described it as a "fast, high-quality and comfortable bluewater boat with strong technical substance".

Safe and self-assured

That is exactly why Contest yachts also have a firm place on the used boat market. Not least because skipper forums, as well as tests by respected specialist media, report that even maneuvers such as a gybe under spinnaker are possible with two people and without unnecessary drama. Verdicts like these explain why Contest is often regarded in the scene as a yacht for ambitious owner couples: Contest yachts are designed from the outset for long-distance cruising and shorthanded sailing.

Today's model range: 42 to 85 feet

According to the yard, the sailing yacht range currently spans from 42 to 85 feet, or 13 to 26 meters. The model pages currently list the 42CS, 49CS, 50CS, 56CS, 63CS, 67CS, 72CS and 85CS. For decades Contest offered sailing yachts exclusively, and in 2011 it launched its first motor yacht with the Contest 52MC. At its core, however, Contest clearly remains a brand for high-quality bluewater sailboats.

Contest yachts – designed and built for long-distance cruising

Today, Contest stands above all for larger blue water cruisers with a semi-custom approach. The smaller models such as the 42CS or 49CS appeal to owners looking for quality, clear layouts and long-distance capability in a format that is still easy to handle; with the 63CS, 67CS, 72CS or 85CS, the focus clearly shifts towards luxurious circumnavigation or other extended voyages. If you are looking for a boat that performs calmly and reliably at sea and impresses on board with fine craftsmanship, Contest very often offers a remarkably well-rounded package.