Now in it’s 60th year, the Dutch boat builder Contest Yachts recently announced that it has completed the design work and specifications for their new 63CS sloop. The hull was drawn by the German firm Judel/Vrolijk and the interior styling was created by the mega-yacht designers at Wetzels Brown Partners.
A 63-footer –67 if you include the fixed bowsprit– is a large yacht for a couple to handle by themselves. Yet, the design brief and what the designers delivered show a boat set up for two capable sailors to manage by themselves.
The rig has been spec’d to be handled from the cockpit with an in-mast or in-boom mainsail and a slightly overlapping jib or, as an option, a self-tacking jib. Contest suggests that the in-boom main and overlapping jib will appeal to performance-oriented sailors while the in-mast main and self-tacking job will be right for more casual cruisers.
The center-cockpit design has been divided in two, with all sailing functions managed by the twin helms and the relaxing and social activities confined to the large seating area around the drop-leaf table. If there is a drawback to this layout, in my mind, it would be having the mainsheet traveler run across the cockpit between the helms and the seating area.
Aft of the helms, Contest has arranged a large deck area for bean bag lounging. The transom folds down to create a “beach” area and when down the dinghy garage under the aft deck is accessible.
The 63CS will be built on a semi-custom basis with many interior design options. That said, the published plan shows three cabins each with its own head and shower. The master cabin aft is huge as it spans the full width of the boat’s 18-foot beam.
The two double cabins forward also are spacious and will make the 63CS a great floating home for extended cruising by a family of four. Plus, a crew berth has been included in the forepeak.
Contest started building boats in the early Sixties with their first models being none other than Flying Dutchman racing dinghies. They have come a long way since then and have built a solid reputation for A-list quality construction and finish work in the Scandinavian style.
Read more here.
