Contest Yachts unveils new high performance cruiser
Contest 67CS first fruits of partnership with judel/vrolijk & co
Contest Yachts in the Netherlands has complemented its range of semi-custom performance cruisers, which ranges from 42 to 72 ft, with a brand-new 67 ft model. This exciting new project is also the first to be designed together with judel/vrolijk & co, as the Contest yard continues to build on a new generation of yachts that also include superb interiors by Wetzel Brown Partners.
The new addition to the Contest fleet will be a high performance cruiser that is both easy to handle by two people yet super-comfortable for a larger onboard party. In embarking on this new long-term partnership with the designers from judel/vrolijk & co, Contest Yachts set a clear brief for the Contest 67CS.
“Our goal was to combine the rich construction heritage of our yard with the design and engineering experience of judel/vrolijk & co,” explains Arjen Conijn, managing director of Contest Yachts. “The current range of Contest yachts has won multiple awards and the high sales speak volumes for how much sailors appreciate their quality. We never rest on our laurels at Contest, however, and are always open for ways to evolve even further.”
The design of the Contest 67CS has a low profile deckhouse that matches the overall styling of a timeless and elegant looking hull with modern lines. The superstructure silhouette is kept as low as possible, leaving ample space below the salon for technical installations. The sail plan is generous with a mast height over the water of nearly 32 metres. The rig layout offers lots of sail combinations, ranging from jibs, jib-tops and code zero options to different gennaker sizes. An in-mast furling section is also possible for the cruising minded.
“The Contest 67CS offers the best combination of layout and design for a true semi-custom performance cruiser that is also suitable for long distance bluewater cruising,” explains Rolf Vrolijk, managing director at judel/vrolijk & co. “We are delighted to start this groundbreaking new relationship with Contest with a design that offers owners maximum sailing pleasure and cruising comfort. At the same time performance is always a must for our designs, and the Contest 67CS is no exception.”
The hull lines have been optimised for the moderate displacement of a cruising yacht, then made even more performance oriented. The forward sections are sharper and combined with slightly wider and flatter sections aft. A more aggressive forefoot enhances upwind performance, while the aft sections are designed for higher end-speeds and stability.
Thanks to Contest’s optimised sandwich construction, combined with the use of some fully cored lightweight interior panels, the Contest 67CS has a fine displacement for a boat of this type. A moderately deep L-shaped keel with the centre of gravity as low maximises the stability. As has been the case on all recent Contest Yachts builds – including even the yard’s first motoryacht – the interior styling of the Contest 67CS will be in the capable hands of the Amsterdam-based design company Wetzels Brown Partners.