{"id":157013,"date":"2025-03-27T06:00:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T06:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?post_type=review&p=157013"},"modified":"2025-03-27T06:00:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T06:00:10","slug":"contest-63cs-review-superyacht-level-finish","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/reviews\/boat-tests\/contest-63cs-review-superyacht-level-finish","title":{"rendered":"Contest 63CS review: Superyacht-level finish"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re sailing the Contest 63CS upwind on a glorious late autumn day in the Balearics, in supreme comfort and with minimal heel, yet maintaining 6.5-7.1 knots of boat speed in only 8 knots of true breeze. The helm has a lovely light, direct feel and I\u2019m able to fine tune sail trim instantly from a comprehensive bank of controls for the electric and hydraulic sail handling systems on the wheel pedestals.<\/p>\n

Yet this is not a lightweight and pared-down daysailer or weekend. It\u2019s a high-end 32-tonne cruising yacht with spacious accommodation, refined aesthetics and the ability to go anywhere in the world in style.<\/p>\n

I sailed the Contest 63CS over two days in a fairly wide range of conditions with windspeed ranging from as little as four knots through to gusts in the upper teens.<\/p>\n

Contest 63CS performance in these light to moderate breezes proved astounding for a boat of this size and weight, though my test boat had the benefit of substantial upgrades over the standard specification. This includes a taller three-spreader carbon mast with textile standing rigging, furling V-boom, deeper 3.5m draught, North 3Di main and headsail, plus Helix Code 0 and A2 asymmetric spinnaker.<\/p>\n

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Performance underscores the potential of the design. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr\/EYOTY<\/p><\/div>\n

These upgrades greatly raise the cost of this yacht above the base price, and the deep draught certainly won\u2019t suit every owner, but my notes repeatedly point to just how well this boat sails in this configuration.
\nWe also spent a lot of time sailing with the Code 0 at a variety of wind angles and speeds.<\/p>\n

While close reaching at 45-55\u00b0 to the apparent wind we consistently sailed at the true wind speed in only 6-8 knots of breeze. When the true wind increased to 9 knots we accelerated to 9-9.5 knots, and topped 10 knots when it built to 14.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not so long ago that many more traditional serious cruising designs would have barely been getting going in 8-10 knots of breeze, let alone pushing close to hull speed, so these are very impressive figures for such a comfortable yacht.<\/p>\n

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The performance of this tricked-up Contest is formidable, particularly under Code and A-sails. Photo: Sailing Energy<\/p><\/div>\n

Power on tap<\/h2>\n

Of course, close reaching with a Code 0 in light airs has potential to generate a lot of apparent wind, which boosts speed in a virtuous circle as the faster you go the greater the apparent wind you generate. How quick is the Contest 63CS upwind under only main and jib? As the breeze built boat speed close-hauled increased to 8.1 knots in 12.5 knots true.<\/p>\n

By this time we were well powered up \u2013 not surprising given the apparent wind speed was now approaching 20 knots \u2013 but this design is reassuringly easy to depower.<\/p>\n

In particular, the powerful Reckmann hydraulic backstay, plus forestay load cell, fitted to the test boat makes for quick and effortless adjustment, as well as reliable and repeatable settings across different conditions.<\/p>\n

Article continues below…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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