Contest 63CS Boat Tour

Editor Sam Jefferson takes us around the new Contest 63CS – everything you need to know about this fresh design.

Dutch boatbuilder Contest seems to have perfected the formula for building classy blue water cruisers and the 63CS is  the latest variation on a well worked theme for the boatbuilder that boasts the sort of styling and quality of build and fit out that you’d expect on a super yacht. The 63CS is clearly built for blue water cruising and the hull boasts simple understated styling and conservative lines drawn up by Judel/Vrolijk. The Contest 63CS is designed to slice effortlessly across oceans with an easy motion. Nevertheless, Contests are generally surprisingly nimble and also a simple set up and push button handling means that a couple could handle this boat without too much trouble despite the fact that she boasts a fairly powerful rig. There is, however, space up forward for a skippers cabin if so required. Stepping aboard the thing that hist you are the clean, uncluttered decks. The centre cockpit provides a great place to relax with the working section of the yacht aft. The twin helms have seats that swivel around to help make the huge aft deck into a convivial lounging area at anchor or in calm conditions. 

So far, so simple and this theme of uncomplicated elegance continues as you head down below, where the simple formula of doing things to a very high standard really shines through. the boat is beautifully finished and the interior design by Wetzels Brown is available in either teak or oak. In either case, the finish is spectacularly good and the classic layout revolves around the light and spacious semi deck saloon from whence you drop down to the corridor galley which is set to starboard and ideally laid out for cooking afloat. Head through the galley and you find yourself in a sumptuous stateroom with a spacious ensuite. Up forward there are a number of layout options but the classic involves a bunk room to starboard, another double to port with the skippers cabin beyond that and accessible from the main cabin.

Contest 63CS specifications

LOA: 19.29m 63ft 3in
LWL: 17.85m 58ft 7in
Beam (Max): 5.85m 19ft 2in
Draught: 2.90m 9ft 6in
Disp (lightship): 31,900kg 70,327lb
Standard Sail Area: 113m2 1,216ft2
Engine: 168hp Volvo Penta
Price: (ex VAT) from €3.000.000
Design: Judel Vrolijk
Builder: Contest Yachts Website

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