A stand out boat in so many ways, the Contest 52MC Fastlane is a spectacularly successful design – especially so as she is Contest Yachts’ first ever motor boat in this league. The press can’t get enough of her, loving her looks and her handling which they say astounds, her innovative, half-planing hull riding as though on rails, tracking straight and staying flat right through the tightest of turns. With power options from twin 350hp to 550hp diesels she’s equally comfortable at 8 or 28 knots, and soft rides through the nastiest chop. And she’s a dry boat, her pronounced spray rails cascading the breaking water away.  The joint creation of longstanding design partner Georg Nissen, the well known boat engineering and designer company Vripack and the yard’s own in-house design team, the 52MC is also an unusually versatile performance platform, available in Flybridge and Open Sport eas well as Fastlane f versions. Interior layouts are customisable, too, building out of a raised saloon and two heads, three sleeping cabin standard plan.

A step up in size, the Contest 57CS is the first in line with double cockpit for helm and guests, a labour saving mainsheet and optional fold-down stern bathing platform. There’s a true sense of the big boat yet she sails with the natural touch for which Contest Yachts are so renowned. Sound design, sound engineering, together delivering enviable performance.  To suit wide ranging sailing intent, this nimble bluewater design offers various interior plans with two heads and two, three and even four sleeping cabins. Pretty much anything can be changed. She was the first Contest fully 3D modelled and the spatial study has optimised systems and stowage throughout allowing this flexible configuration. A full beam lazarette and standing headroom sail locker in the bow serve the distance cruiser well and, beyond this, weight has been kept out of the ends with technical gear focused towards the centre of the boat. Good for stability and for service. Also for noise and vibration control, including a generator mounted atop the engine.  The Contest 57CS is also the first in line to have a cabin plan suited to permanent crew should the wish list include additional help or the potential to charter.

There are great expectations for the presentation of the new Grand Soleil 44 at the 2020 Yachting Festival of Cannes: the new challenge of Cantiere del Pardo facing the performance world and completing the Grand Soleil Yachts Performance range, dedicated to the more sporty owners in search of a boat that offers high performance, able to give results also in regattas.Style and elegance complete the DNA of this new 44-footer which resumes the family feeling of the other models of the range. The "Race" versionThe maximum beam of over four metres is essential to maximise the stability of shape and to enhance performances during regattas, thanks to the possibility to equip the deck with six winches. The carbon sail plan is made even more effective by the positioning of the mast further to the rear, to allow a greater sail area for the bow sails, making the boat more agile in coming out of turns. A large fore triangle also allows to make the best use of rollable sails.Transverse rails can be mounted on request to regulate the jib lead at any manoeuvre of the boat.

At a size allowing four spacious guest cabins and fully enclosable galley and crew quarters, the Contest 72CS, flagship of the Contest fleet, provides the perfect platform for both owner driver or skipper and crew assisted sailing. And the nature of wide ranging options spans just about every element of this truly semi-custom build, with bulkhead positioning almost the only constraint. Deliveries to date span full carbon rig with Park Lane boom and 3Di moulded sails to alloy spars and vertically battened Vectra with in-mast furling. With one approach racing, one cruising, one more private with forward galley, one inclusive with aft U-shaped galley, choice and specification is entirely personal.  Beneath this freedom, there lies extensive design engineering pre-empting likelihoods with proven practice and application. This is such a trait of Contest and a powerful differentiator. Scope well considered before the first line is drawn. The Contest 72CS presents a most persuasive case, virtual custom build at fractional cost.

A proven all-rounder in bluewater adventuring and fast cruising, the three-cabin, two heads Contest 50CS reflects well the sound principles of the long running design partnership with Georg Nissen. Clean yet accommodating lines, sophisticated but simple rig, fully balanced spade rudder for feel and precision, and a performance foil for moderate draft, lead ballasted bulb keel. In other words: fast, comfortable, secure and capable. Size wise, big sister to the 45CS and first in the Contest line with shaft rather sail drive and engine below the floor, her manoeuvrability is even better and running noise levels even quieter, too. Sloop or cutter rigged with mainsheet traveller behind the spacious cockpit with comfortable wraparound contours and fixed table, Nissen’s abiding principle of polished simplicity is clear to see. As it is in the wide expanse of uncluttered decks enabled by flush fittings and concealed sail control leads returning to the cockpit for safe working day and night far out to sea.

A stand out boat in so many ways, the Contest 52MC Flybridge is a spectacularly successful design. And in this version with fully accommodated flybridge, there’s even more for the press to love. Her looks astounding perhaps even more so as a two-decker with perfect design balance that, also in terms of handling, retains the same innovative, half-planing hull riding as though on rails, tracking straight and staying flat right through the tightest of turns. With power options from twin 350hp to 550hp diesels she’s equally comfortable at 8 or 28 knots, and soft rides through the nastiest chop. And she’s a dry boat, her pronounced spray rails cascading the breaking water away. The joint creation of longstanding design partner Georg Nissen, the well known boat engineering and designer company Vripack and the yard’s own in-house design team, the 52MC is also an unusually versatile performance platform, available in Fastlane  and Open Sport as well as Flybridge versions. Interior layouts are customisable, too, building out of a raised saloon and two heads, three sleeping cabin standard plan.

The higher the climb through the range, the sleeker the generic Contest styling seems, and the 62CS presents a developed pretty profile with accented, soft angled, low rise, long glazed coachroof topping the powerful hull’s straight run sheerline.  The two cockpit plan, with distinct working and social areas, and twin helm stations, hint at size, further confirmed by the hydraulically folding transom which reveals a tender garage  and creates a full beam bathing and boarding platform. Below the options for interior plan are many with the large central saloon at the centre of anything from three to five sleeping cabins with a variety of berth configurations from guest doubles and bunks to mirrored aft cabins in place of the usual and popular fully serviced, full-beam master suite. Space abounds, filled by natural light from the many hatches, hull and panoramic windows®, and ventilation to all cabins. 

The first of three versions aimed straight at the superyacht tender/chase boat market as well as high end, high speed, open cockpit luxury powerboater, the Contest 52MC Open Sport brings to the sports market sector for the first time the very best of Dutch semi-custom building. This introduces a complete new set of impressive standards, improving on comfort both underway and at rest, on safe working and movement around deck, on the level of personalisation, and the absolute thrill and pleasure in ownership. The Contest 52MC Open Sport will impress.

The second of the three versions aimed straight at the superyacht tender/chase boat market as well as high end, high speed, open cockpit luxury powerboater, the Contest 52MC Open Sport Classic similarly brings to the sports market sector for the first time the very best of Dutch semi-custom building. This introduces a complete new set of impressive standards, improving on comfort both underway and at rest, on safe working and movement around deck, on the level of personalisation, and the absolute thrill and pleasure in ownership. The Contest 52MC Open Sport Classic will impress.

The newest in the fleet, now in build and set to debut launch in 2016, the Contest 67CS marks the first steps in a fresh, long term collaboration with German design team judel/vrolijk & co, renowned for powerful yachts, both racing and cruising, offshore and ocean. That combined experience results in easily driven, sea kindly, handsome yachts, which neatly defines our new bluewater performance cruiser, the Contest 67CS. “We are delighted to start this ground breaking relationship with a design that offers owners maximum sailing pleasure and cruising comfort,” Rolf Vrolijk explains. “Performance is always a must for our designs and the Contest 67CS is no exception.” This way hull lines have been refreshed, newly optimised for moderate displacement cruising with sharper forward sections for enhanced upwind performance, combined with slightly wider, flatter aft sections for more stability and improved downwind characteristics, so assisting autopilot ocean passage. Weight is lower for boat speed and CoG and a new L-shaped keel contributes on all points.

-The newly launched 26-metre Contest 85CS clearly demonstrates the strengths in Contest Yachts’ long-term collaboration with world class designers judel/vrolijk & co and Wetzels Brown Partners. Designed for fast passage with powerful, practical, deep-ocean cruising capability, the Contest 85CS is easily sailed, managed and maintained by short-handed crew, and perfectly set both to sail the world and enjoy sailing’s high society.--The newly launched 26-metre Contest 85CS clearly demonstrates the strengths in Contest Yachts’ long-term collaboration with world class designers judel/vrolijk & co and Wetzels Brown Partners. Designed for fast passage with powerful, practical, deep-ocean cruising capability, the Contest 85CS is easily sailed, managed and maintained by short-handed crew, and perfectly set both to sail the world and enjoy sailing’s high society.- This is our first step into the fully crewed 80+ foot sector and is made in design partnership with celebrated German naval architects judel/vrolijk & co, combining their performance design expertise with our proven, innovative construction practices completed with Lloyds’ plan approval and hull certification. The Contest 85CS will provide for both distance cruising and regatta participation as well as very social sailing, extending the potential for performance cruising of both new and upsizing owners with comfortable capacity for up to ten guests in a customisable interior arrangement.

Perfectly set for distance cruising with the big boat comforts of central cockpit and large, full beam, aft master suite, the Contest 45CS is a familiar sight on the circumnavigator’s circuit. With primarily a two sleeping cabin plan with option of a third bunked cabin or workshop, she presents a very practical living and sailing arrangement. Finish, furnishing and equipping are all to Contest’s customary high standards with optional personalisations to make your boat very much your own. The cockpit’s central wheel helm station presents a commanding position and excellent forward view with sheets and sail controls within reach for simplified short handing. She sails fast, tracking well with good feedback from the Jefa steering system, and with little heel thanks to good cruising design principles such as big, central, underfloor tanks contributing to form stability. 

The third of the three versions aimed straight at the superyacht tender/chase boat market as well as high end, high speed, open cockpit luxury powerboater, the Contest 52MC Open Sport T-top similarly brings to the sports market sector for the first time the very best of Dutch semi-custom building. This introduces a complete new set of impressive standards, improving on comfort both underway and at rest, on safe working and movement around deck, on the level of personalisation, and the absolute thrill and pleasure in ownership. The Contest 52MC Open Sport T-top will impress.

Instantly good looking… and with so much more to her than first meets the eye. It’s not just the clever detailing in design, build and plan. The aft cockpit Contest 42CS permits owners a virtual custom build… simply unique at this size. The options are so many. There are four different saloon plans, three cabin arrangements for both bow and stern, five different cockpits, carbon or aluminium spars, and multiple sail handling systems. In all, that means a remarkable number of different versions of the interior and cockpit. The result? A personalised Contest 42CS to suit everyone from family cruiser or bluewater couple to racing enthusiast. The Contest 42CS is the first yacht of this size ever to offer such personalised customisation. Then to top it all, she’s a delight to sail, both easily managed and fast. And individually hand built, she shares the same hallmark high standards seen across the range, right through to the flagship Contest 72CS.

The Excess 15 has been designed for all those who dream of a cruising catamaran offering proper sailing sensations. Aboard this catamaran, you’ll experience so many emotions: aesthetic and sporting. Her very luminous, contemporary interior, open to the outside world, and her new-generation rig promise some beautiful sailing and a feeling of pleasure at sea. With an area of 125 m² (1,345 sq ft) and her 25-meter (82’) high mast, the Excess 15 is the largest in the new Bénéteau Group family. In addition to her large spaces, this boat has twin helm stations, located at the after end of each hull, which are designed to increase the pleasure of sailing. As for the interior, there’s a huge raised saloon/dining area with a 360° view of the sea through non-smoked bay windows. Depending on the desired space, you can choose between a three, four or even six double cabin version. The catamaran's 8-meter (26’3”) beam offers a cockpit large enough to accommodate a beautiful table, around which eight people can easily sit. Her unique, balanced and seductive lines embody the spirit of Excess while combining this with the comfort of a large cruising catamaran.

With unique, graceful and seductive lines, let yourself be carried away by her design. The visibility from the helm station, the fine touch of the wheel, the opening bimini roof... everything has been done to allow you to fully live the experience of the Excess 12. The Excess 12 adopts a marked chine and a pronounced deck sheer, creating unique lines. Her twin helm stations, located aft, offer a maximum of sensations and create a more seamanlike concept that brings us closer to the sea. The light and precise helm and the opening bimini are reminiscent of the pleasures of helming a monohull. The cockpit of this boat is bathed in light thanks to its opening roof. On the outside there is the usual trampoline between the hulls, great for sunbathing, as well as the large exterior table. The hulls have a large volume with the option of a three double cabin or four double cabin version. With her completely new lines for the coachroof, a short nacelle and the taller Pulse Line rig, the Excess 12 brings a breath of fresh air to the world of cruising catamarans.

The Excess 11 is the only large-scale production boat on the market for this size of catamaran. She is one of the smallest cruising catamarans capable of offering so much comfort and space, not to mention the thrill of sailing. The Excess 11 is a boat capable of long passages and is made for life on board. The work of the naval architects and designers has been focused on one objective: to create a real cruising catamaran capable of taking you to the most remote spots on earth to enjoy an isolated cove, an abandoned beach or a secret wave. Excess 11 has benefited from the experience of her elders, without sacrificing all the comfort attributes needed for enjoyable cruising. Add to this a volume worthy of a larger boat, whether in the saloon or in the cabins, with for example a 2 by 2-meter (6½’x6½’) bed in the owner's cabin or bathrooms with separate showers! On deck, she offers the comfort and friendliness of a large open cockpit and twin helm stations, offering both real steering sensations and direct contact with the rest of the crew.This is the synthesis of the Excess spirit: a beautiful, simple, light and comfortable boat!