Facts & Figures | Contest Yachts
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Facts & Figures

Founded in 1959 from humble but innovative beginnings, Contest Yachts, still in family ownership, has grown through volume building of Olympic sailing dinghies and family sailing cruisers to become a leading light today in series-built, performance bluewater sailing yachts. A top Dutch luxury brand recognised worldwide for first class, tailor-made sailing.

1959

Company founder Ed Conijn - for international ease, the ‘Con’ of family name combines with ‘test’ to arrive at Contest

1959

Contest 25 – first sailing cruiser and immediate export success, 300 sold into USA alone. Designed by Gerard Luyten.

1959

The original tulip logo adopted to reflect the pride of Holland’s national product

1964

Contest 29 – building on success of Contest 25, designer Luyten combined good headroom with balanced looks despite low freeboard

1971

Contest 27MKII– still looking good today in modern dressed canvas work. First design of Dick Zaal.

1970

Fritz Conijn (left), son of founder Ed, preparing to take over the helm four years later

1972

Contest 31HT - Dick Zaal design and a good club cruiser-racer - 252 sold

1972

Recognising high standards of build, all Contest yachts from 1972 certified by leading classification society Lloyds

1973

Contest 48 - Dick Zaal-designed and one of the largest series-built yachts of her time and included a splendid, optional bath tub

1979

The wing keel won the America's Cup and just months later, in collaboration with its creator, Contest carried the concept on

1995

Contest was one of the first yacht constructors to adopt and refine vacuum resin injection techniques

1997

Centre cockpits and wheel steering - longstanding key features of Contest sailing

1998

Different plans and layouts provide for individual needs, here the Contest 55CS with interior design by Birgit Schnaase

1998

The interior of the Contest 55CS ably shows the ever increasing quality of workmanship

2002

For strength and insulation, balsa core runs from top to bottom - also bulkheads bonded to hull sides

2003

The next generation - Fritz Conijn passes the helm to son Arjen (right), current head of the family firm

2005

Arjen Conijn firmly at the helm of company and new Contest 45CS out on trials

2004

New logo introduced by Arjen Conijn.

2005

Development designs for the aft master suite aboard the new flagship Contest 62CS

2006

The interior of the Contest 50CS shows clever use of volume detail to optimise space

2006

Contest 62CS in build in the company's Medemblik construction halls - narrow mullions, maximum glazing

2007

Vacuum resin injection in process in the Contest 62CS mould

2007

Sense of scale - Contest 62CS checking out of the main construction hall

2009

Contest Yachts celebrates 50 years in the business of building great boats

2009

A Contest 50CS appropriately stands as centrepiece to the 50th anniversary celebrations

2010

The Contest 57CS introduces the new generation wraparound coachroof and flush deck detailing

2011

To praise from press and purchasers, the company develops its first ever motor yacht - the Contest 52MC

2011

Modern styling and through-space thinking from Wetzels Brown for the 52MC co-joins inside and outside

2011

Springing the cured 52MC deck and superstructure moulding from the female mould

2011

A 52MC hull moulding makes its way from mould shop to finishing hall

2011

A busy year that also saw the development of the next new flagship, the Contest 72CS

2011

The biggest volume yet gave the interior designers tremendous scope for exceptional accommodation

2012

Revisiting the entry point to Contest Yachts, the aft cockpit Contest 42CS went online

2012

A variable module interior for the 42CS allowed a very wide range of accommodation plans

2012

Similarly, deck and cockpit options uniquely allowed equally for cruising, shorthanding and racing

2012

The first flagship Contest 72CS takes to the water to receive her rig

2012

The Contest 72CS underway shows her wares well - tall rig, flush deck, big twin cockpit areas

2012

The autumn shows opened the 72CS for the first time to public and press viewing and praise

2012

The styling and finish of the 72CS caught the mood well

2013

The Contest 42CS took to the water and her concept was instantly proven with easily handled, performance sailing

2013

With the racier deck configuration, the early 42CS Beluga headed to the Caribbean for regatta successes

2013

From her very first showing, the Contest 42CS has drawn widespread enquiry and fast selling success

2013

The Contest 52MC makes her debut appearance at the Dusseldorf show

2013

Georg Nissen's innovative sleek semi-planing hull for the 52MC acclaimed for smooth ride and efficiency

2013

The 52MC shows her versatility, here with full flybridge yet still very low CoG for stability

2013

The 52MC offers many cabin configurations, here a forward master suite, options include offset bed

2014

The Contest 42CS in cruising mode test sailing with the jury of the European Yacht Of The Year.

2014

Pressure on and speed climbing, the Contest 42CS flies the company's Dutch tulip logo with pride

2014

Contest CEO Arjen Conijn proudly receives the 2014 European Yacht of the Year award for the 42CS

2016

In June 2016, the Contest 67CS launches - the first product of the new design collaboration with judel/vrolijk & co.

2016

Contest Yachts announces entry in 80+ foot sailing yacht sector

2018

After two years in final design and construction, the first-launched, new 26-metre Contest 85CS takes to the seas and a world circumnavigation.

2019

A special year, Contest Yachts' 60th anniversary. Six decades, three generations of the one family ownership, and more than 3500 yachts to celebrate! A huge team of same-minded creators, constructors and clients made this all possible.

2020

Global launch at Boot Düsseldorf of the beautiful three-cabin 17.5-metre Contest 55CS. Naval architecture and exterior by judel/vrolijk & co, interior by Wetzels Brown Partners. Clever innovations include conceal+reveal transom window.

2020

The new and much praised Contest 55CS wins ‘Bluewater Cruiser of the Year’ at the prestigious British Yachting Awards hosted by the UK’s Sailing Today and Yachts & Yachting magazines.

2021

The awards for the groundbreaking 55CS continue with Europe’s top Yachting editors pronouncing this innovative and beautifully balanced design ‘European Yacht of the Year’ in the luxury category.

2021

In a unique collaboration with top motoring brand Bentley Motors, customisation reached new levels with a 59CS outfitted in the same style and materials as the owner’s Bentley Continental GT Coupé.

2022

Construction of the first new Contest 50CS model begins after two years in development. 50-feet has long been the sweet spot at Contest, and the previous 50CS one of the best ever selling models. Welcome to the new era 50CS.

2022

Building also begins for the Contest 49CS, the shipyard’s first aft cockpit, twin aft cabin yacht at this length. A natural step up from the ever-popular aft cockpit 42CS for family sailors, and presenting a uniquely spacious cabin plan in this sector.

2023

Introduction of two new models: Contest 49CS (twin aft cabin, lazarette, front owner's cabin) & Contest 50CS (aft owner's cabin, huge galley, bunk bed cabin, front guest cabin).
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