CONTEST yacht 55CS-50CS

[Freshman]

What are you r thoughts about 50CS and 55 CS?
Comparing to Amel and Oyster or similar level.
Are they this same strong built? Usually blue hull so not the best for tropics.
Any unusual issues?

[DeValency]

These are three great boats by all means. I have a Contest 43-44 and I know the larger quite well as well as the rivals from Amel and Oyster.
Amel stands out with a unique design aspects and systems integration.
Contest new CS 50/55 are of the unique new designs of Contest, yet keep the traditional general lines and the highest quality of production by all means - in my opinion, somewhat better than the Amel and the Oyster
Oyster very much kept the traditional lines of a great center cockpit and design.

As for the tropics; Amel probably has I think, the largest center cockpit and comes as standard with an extended hard dodger - a must in my opinion for a blue cruiser. I think it is a standard with Oyster and an option (I have that) with Contest.

Boats at this size have a large enough cockpit but you must look at what they offer as a well shaded Bimini and the removable side and aft panels for weather protection.

[s/v Jedi]

Contest probably strongest build, Oyster second and wins the posh price, Amel most thought out

[Mag3]

build quality of the hull and core systems are really pretty equal across boats at this level.
level of "cabinetry" finish is higher on Contest and Oyster than Amel.

as someone who grew up on traditional wooden boats, and who has a love for that aesthetic.. but who has also had to remove a 30 year old failing teak deck, when i looked for my new boat (awaiting a dec. delivery of a new Amel 50), one of the core things that took me away from Contest, Oyster, Discovery, HR, Najad etc. was the teak deck.

a) i don't want to continue cutting down old growth rainforests
b) the cost to repair later is INSANE...
c) these are actually uncomfortable (read: waay too hot) in the tropics

the other big decision was the integral and well thought out hard top for the cockpit on the Amel which is kind of genius and also enables them to offer 575w of solar on that from the factory.

all things being equal, had those two things been available on the Contest i may have gone that direction.

[DeValency]

Mag3, these are indeed good points.

My Contest came originally with an extended hard dodger, (it was an important feature for me too). The same dodger is offered as an option by HR. Yet, it isn’t as great as with Amel, also due to the unique, way more protected steering position. Maybe only Moody has a really impressive complete hard dodger-bimini.

As far as I know Contest do offer standard anti-skid fiberglass decks as an option, but not the practical synthetic deck top like Amel.

Congrats on the new Amel! Indeed a great boat with a class of her own that to my opinion is more suitable for the tropics and the Med than the rivals built around the North Sea.

[Mag3]

Thanks DeValency!

I've heard a few people comment about the Amel's being better suited to the tropics than northern latitudes - I'm curious what drives that assessment? Looking to learn!


Cheers,
-Justin

[DeValency]

Justin -

From visiting friends on Amels while cruising in the West Indies I’ve noticed better cabins ventilation with the hatches setup. That’s very much the same with the other French boats of that size.

In the Med and Tropics you spend more time in the cockpit and naturally Amel offers more free to move space, reach winches, main sheet etc. and a larger table(!), as there is no pedestal stuck in the middle.

As you’ve pointed out, teak decks are much warmer and absorb heat - probably not that bad in the northern latitudes but you really don’t want that in the Med and tropics.

Maybe this is why my Contest is eventually heading home to New England.

—Nitzan

[Mag3]

ah - gotcha. :-)

I thought there might be something that lends them to not be good in higher latitudes

[barnakiel]

Contest is awesome. Very good boats that sail well and are well put together.


Older Contests had problematic interiors though. New ones are just so much better (roomier, more light, better colors, everything). Also the new cockpits are more Med now less North Sea.



I have helped in outfitting two Contests getting ready for the ARC rally, here in Canary Islands. They had their teething problems - just like any new boat has. And I would buy one without any hesitation.


To me Contest=HR=Oy=Amel.



b.