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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recognising high standards of build, all Contest yachts from 1972 certified by leading classification society Lloyd's Register.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New logo introduced by Arjen Conijn.

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

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

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

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

Vacuum resin injection in process in the Contest 62CS mould.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Contest Yachts is delighted to share news of winning the ‘Luxury Cruiser’ category in the 2021 European Yacht of the Year, considered by all as the world’s yachting Oscars!

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.

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).

Contest Yachts and Bentley Motors collaborate on a unique project creating a jointly styled and designed yacht interior bringing together the beauty of both luxury brands for a mutual client. The specially commissioned 20-metre Contest 67CS features bespoke Bentley Home designs and book-matched interiors harnessing the materials, motifs and techniques utilised on Bentley Motors cars with bespoke details.

Launch of the Contest 63CS. Beautiful outside, courtesy judel/vrolijk & co design + engineering. Beautiful inside, courtesy Wetzels Brown.

Our gorgeous, newly launched 19-metre Contest 63CS has won the prestigious title European Yacht of the Year 2025. Judged by Europe’s top yachting editors from across twelve nations, the award was presented on the opening night of boot Düsseldorf, Europe’s largest of all boat shows, where the Contest 63CS can be viewed through to Sunday 26 January.

Announcement and world premiere of the new model 17-metre Contest 56CS to be staged at January’s boot Düsseldorf 2026. Presenting luxury performance cruising at its best, the Contest 56CS supersedes the European yacht of the Year-winning Contest 55CS and is again a super-close collaboration with naval architects judel/vrolijk & co, Wetzels Brown for interiors, and Lloyd’s Register for oversight and certification.

Introducing the optional hardtop bimini as a multifunctional feature, described by Contest’s lead engineer as a complex development balancing design and purpose. It integrates a large aft viewing panel for full sight of the mainsail, forward solar panels, and a single-point pad eye for the mainsheet system to keep the forward cockpit clear of ropes. Screens extend to the windscreen and around the sides and aft, creating a full dodger for added shelter and comfort. Available for the Contest 56CS, 63CS and larger models.