Cruising sailboat 49CS

4-cabinwith bowsprittwin steering wheels

In the Contest 49CS, our first twin aft-cabin yacht at this length, we have developed something new, different and yet reassuringly consistent with Contest credentials. A natural step up from the Contest 42CS, and equal new step into the Contest range for sailors preferring their master suite forward and family or guest cabins in the back. And what cabins these are, they’re huge for the 50ft (15.5m) sector. Yet still there’s a very impressive tender garage, spacious aft deck, and loads of storage throughout the cabins which enjoy the latest design-styling from the Wetzels Brown studio. It’s with naval architects judel/vrolijk & co’s balancing of modern topside height and max beam carried well aft, that this conventionally impossible scale of twin aft cabin arrangement with standing headroom throughout has been achieved. And with super performance, too, through the full spectrum of heavy and light weather. Dependable in handling and easy to control, sailing nine knots to windward at 30° apparent. And as with all Contest yachts, remarkably quiet below decks under sail and motor. With the Contest 49CS and 50CS sisterships sharing the same hull design and styled coachroof, the similarities are strong. Yet what this dual design has permitted is exceptional. A new approach to interior layout without losing the admired, award-winning practicality and benefits of the central Contest concept, a forward steering position and deep protected leisure cockpit. Achieved again in the 49CS, and missing in most other brands’ twin aft cabin designs where aft cockpits force helm stations aft into the stern, making for vulnerability, and impinging on headroom below in those cabins.