Design Brief & Intent
The Contest 50 CS-2 is built for the demanding owner seeking a fast, exceptionally comfortable, and structurally compromised passage-maker designed to cross oceans without a professional crew. What fundamentally distinguishes this yacht from high-volume production competitors is its commitment to Lloyd’s Register Hull Construction Certification. Every hull is designed, engineered, and constructed under the direct supervision of Lloyd's Register surveyors, a standard that few modern builders pursue due to the rigorous oversight and added manufacturing expense. This certification dictates stringent requirements for hull laminate schedules, bulkhead attachments, and keel-to-hull joints. In practical terms, Lloyd’s requires the vessel to withstand a grounding impact at the lowest tip of the keel equivalent to three times the boat’s total displacement.
To achieve this strength without carrying dead weight, the yard utilizes its proprietary vacuum infusion system, molding the hull and deck in a single-shot layup to secure an exceptionally high glass-to-resin ratio. Heavily loaded structural points, including the keel floors, chainplates, and rudder post, are reinforced with vacuum-infused carbon fiber. This structural stiffness eliminates the typical groans, creaks, and flexing associated with high-volume production hulls when climbing into a head sea.
Below decks, Wetzels Brown Partners moved away from the dark, cavernous joinery historically associated with traditional passage-makers, opting instead for a bright, modern "apartment-style" aesthetic. The interior features rich, custom-finished oak, teak, or modern alternative woods, complemented by proud cabinetry, soft-closing fixtures, and optional ribbed timber paneling 4. Extensive sound-vibration analysis was incorporated during the mock-up phase, resulting in a layout where the engine compartment is completely isolated, making the saloon and master suite whisper-quiet even when running the auxiliary engine at cruising speeds.
Variations & Configurations
Contest took an innovative route by developing a single Judel/Vrolijk hull form and offering it in two completely distinct layout configurations: the center-cockpit 50 CS-2 and the aft-cockpit 49CS. The 50 CS-2 is the quintessential bluewater platform, placing the cockpit high and dry amidships. This layout optimizes the massive aft sections of the hull to house a grand, full-beam master suite with a centerline queen berth, hanging lockers, and a dedicated ensuite head with a separate shower stall.
The standard interior layout features three cabins. Forward of the mast, guests are treated to a VIP suite featuring a large island double bed and a starboard-side cabin with bunk berths, which share a spacious forward head and stall shower. For those who prioritize utility or sail with larger families, the forward area can be customized to include a third cabin or a specialized workshop.
On deck, the center-cockpit design separates the leisure cockpit from the sailing work stations. The helm stations are located further aft, flanked by protective coamings that keep the helmsman secure in heavy weather, while a central walk-through allows safe, uninhibited movement forward to the flush foredeck without climbing over cockpit benches.
The yacht is configured with a deep-draft performance lead bulb keel drawing 7.71 feet, which provides a high ballast ratio to maximize stability. A fully balanced composite spade rudder on self-aligning Jefa bearings provides sharp steering response. Under rig, the boat features a fractional sloop configuration with a standard anodized aluminum mast, though many owners specify the optional carbon fiber rig to reduce weight aloft and minimize pitching in offshore chop.
Sailing Performance & Handling
With a displacement of 50,485 pounds, the Contest 50 CS-2 is a substantial yacht that relies on its displacement-to-length ratio of 209.37 to deliver a comfortable and highly reassuring motion in a seaway. The hull does not suffer from the harsh, jerky motions of ultra-light performance racers. Instead, its Comfort Ratio of 39.81 indicates a very gentle movement, meaning the crew experiences significantly less physical fatigue on long, multi-day ocean passages.
The sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.76 highlights a well-balanced sail plan. While it is not an aggressive light-wind racing rig, the boat carries enough sail area to slide easily through light airs, particularly when utilizing hydraulic or electric in-mast furling systems to easily deploy a code zero or asymmetric spinnaker from the integrated bowsprit. The rig is stepped further aft than on older models, allowing for a more versatile foretriangle that can easily fly a self-tacking jib or a specialized cutter staysail for heavy weather.
The hull's Capsize Screening Ratio of 1.74 is well below the conservative offshore limit of 2.0, emphasizing its inherent stability and safety. The Judel/Vrolijk hull form carries its beam of 16 feet right to the stern. This wide aft waterplane, paired with the deep lead bulb keel, provides immense initial stability, allowing the boat to sail at very flat heeling angles. Under sail, the single spade rudder remains fully immersed, offering light, precise control on the rack-and-pinion Jefa steering system even when pressed hard.
Modernization & Upgrades 4
The Contest 50 CS-2 was engineered from its initial drawings to support modern, eco-conscious propulsion and auxiliary systems. The standard drivetrain features a reliable 110-horsepower common-rail Yanmar diesel engine. However, Contest is one of the few premium builders of this scale to offer a factory-engineered all-electric hybrid system. Developed in partnership with Torqeedo and BMW, the hybrid version utilizes a 50 kW Deep Blue motor powered by high-capacity Deep Blue 40 lithium-ion batteries. This system can be recharged via a 20 kW DC backup generator, built-in hydro-generators, and deck-integrated solar panels.
Even for owners who opt for the conventional Yanmar diesel, modernizing the electrical infrastructure is a popular choice. Standard builds replace propane with electric induction cooktops, running off a massive 24-volt domestic battery bank. Many veteran owners upgrade the standard service bank to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) systems totaling up to 600Ah, allowing them to run the watermaker, washer-dryer, and reverse-cycle air conditioning silently overnight at anchor without needing to run a generator. Additionally, traditional teak decks have largely been replaced by sustainable, low-maintenance Estec composite synthetic decking, which does not suffer from the scrubbing wear, fastener leaks, or heat absorption of natural teak.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because the Contest 50 CS-2 is built to semi-custom order in limited annual production numbers, these yachts command a significant premium and are rarely found on the open brokerage market. They sit at the pinnacle of European yacht building, alongside names like Hallberg-Rassy and Oyster, and trade at a substantial value. Buyers can expect extremely slow depreciation curves. The market for used Contest yachts is highly competitive, often managed directly through the shipyard's exclusive brokerage arm, meaning well-maintained vessels sell quickly 6.
From an economic and maintenance perspective, the 50 CS-2 represents a very secure investment. The rigorous Lloyd's Register certification guarantees that structural degradation is virtually nonexistent, preventing issues like deck core rot or structural bulkhead movement that often plague lighter, production-class vessels. While refit costs for systems like watermakers, lithium battery banks, or premium sails are high, the base structure of the yacht remains remarkably robust, protecting the owner from unexpected structural repairs.
The Verdict
The Contest 50 CS-2 is a premier, masterfully engineered bluewater passagemaker designed for discerning couples who want to cross oceans in absolute safety, silence, and luxury. By combining the structural rigor of Lloyd's Register certification with the modern, slippery hull lines of Judel/Vrolijk and a bright, sophisticated interior, Contest has created a yacht that handles like a smaller boat under sail but feels like a superyacht at anchor. It is an investment-grade cruiser that commands a premium price but delivers matching structural integrity and engineering detail.
Pros
- Unmatched structural peace of mind backed by full, ongoing Lloyd's Register certification.
- Excellent hull stiffness and low angles of heel due to the advanced vacuum-infused hull with carbon reinforcements.
- Whisper-quiet interior space with exceptional sound and vibration isolation.
- Designed specifically to accommodate advanced all-electric hybrid propulsion and high-capacity lithium battery banks 4.
- Divided cockpit layout that separates working sail control lines from the guest leisure area.
Cons
- High entry-level purchase price and premium brokerage cost compared to mass-production cruisers in the 50-foot class.
- Significant freeboard and high topsides create high windage, which can make docking in tight marinas challenging without powerful bow and stern thrusters.
- Helm stations are situated far aft, exposing the helmsman to spray and rain outside the protective canopy of the sprayhood.
