Contest Yachts

Building dreams together

For more than six decades, Contest Yachts has been building sailing yachts designed to take their owners further.

Founded in the Netherlands in 1959 by Ed Conijn, Contest remains a third-generation family business, with Arjen Conijn at the helm today. From its first cruising yacht, the Contest 25, the company has developed into an internationally respected builder of performance bluewater cruisers, combining traditional Dutch craftsmanship with modern construction and design.

Based in Medemblik on the shores of the IJsselmeer, Contest builds yachts from 42 to 85 feet, with a focus on performance, comfort, safety and ease of handling. Every yacht is individually built, with owners able to work closely with the Contest team to create a yacht suited to their sailing ambitions and lifestyle.

Contest has a long-standing reputation for building capable ocean-going yachts. Since 1972, every Contest yacht has been built under Lloyd's Register oversight and certification, reflecting the company's commitment to construction quality and safety.

Design is another defining part of the Contest approach. The company works with leading naval architects and designers, including judel/vrolijk & co and Wetzels Brown, combining performance-focused naval architecture with elegant, practical interiors. The result is a range of yachts designed for everything from offshore cruising to extended ocean passages and world circumnavigation, whether sailed short-handed or with family and friends.

With more than 60 years of experience, three generations of family ownership and thousands of yachts built, Contest continues to combine craftsmanship, innovation, performance and deep-ocean capability in yachts created for a lifetime of sailing.