Contest Yachts premieres new Contest 56CS at boot Düsseldorf
Contest Yachts will be staging the world premiere of its new model 17-metre Contest 56CS at the boot Düsseldorf boat show 2026
Presenting luxury performance cruising at its best, the Contest 56CS supersedes the Dutch shipyard’s European Yacht of the Year-winning Contest 55CS and continues the collaboration with naval architects judel/vrolijk & co and Wetzels Brown for the interior.
With the yachting community’s ever-increasing emphasis on interior accommodation space, styling and comforts of home, this new model brings many enhancements both inside and out – without compromising on performance and safety.
For example, the optional hardtop bimini introduced on the new Contest 56CS. So much more than a simple shade, it’s testament to the exemplary design and engineering at Contest yachts (more about this below).
Light and shade
The hull of this new Contest is essentially the same as the award-winning 55CS, except it now features big, horizontal double-decker hull windows for the master cabin aft, drawing even more daylight into the super-sized suite.
In the stern, a repositioning of the integral, telescopic passerelle has enabled a wider and taller transom garage door for eased access and a larger tender, while above there is a new, central axis, half-deck offering a lower overall profile without compromising the height of that garage and lazarette.
Forward, the integral bowsprit now has the forestay furler as well as the Code 0’s incorporated into the structural stainless-steel A-frame within the body. A smart lowered profile, and protection for the workings from the elements.
The optional hardtop bimini balances aesthetics with purpose, with a big viewing panel aft end for full sight of the mainsail, solar panels forward, and a single-point pad eye for the mainsheet system which keeps the forward cockpit below clear of all ropes. Additionally, screens extend from the hardtop down to the substantial windscreen, to form a full dodger, and from the sides and aft end for further shelter and comfort.
A complex design matrix delivering simple enjoyment.
Inner thinking
Introductions below deck range from tiny details like a specific location for the corkscrew, ceiling-inset and rainfall shower heads to the big things such as the range’s new style, radiused, vertically ribbed timber for the main bulkhead and forward walkway.
And, adding to the super aft suite, midships bunked cabin and forward guest suite, there is now an optional fourth sleeping cabin. This design innovation increases fixed berths from six to eight, providing additional, good practical sea berths close by the companionway for night or short-handed passaging. An impressive and thoroughly refreshing arrangement.
Rig options
To match sailing style and intentions, owners are given a wide range of rig and sail plan
options too, including:
- Carbon or aluminium spars
- In-mast or in-boom furling
- Headsail furlers integrated in bowsprit and under deck
- Removable inner forestay
The new Contest 56CS will be available to view throughout the show in Düsseldorf in Hall 16 Stand C54.
To step onboard, book an appointment with our expert team.
