Contest 42CS
An aggressively contemporary boat in terms of both aesthetics and construction, the design writ for the Contest 42CS is simple and straightforward: “Fast, modern, aft-cockpit cruising boat with a very high build quality.”
Sometimes simple statements say it all. Our judging panel felt that was the case with this straightforward but elegant 42-footer from the Netherlands, naming it the Best Midsize Cruiser, 41-45 Feet, as well as 2014’s Import Boat of the Year.
Said systems guru Ed Sherman, “The things that are good about this boat are so great, I just can’t get over it. The boat sails magnificently. I love the deck layout.”
However, it was the attention to so many small points, particularly with those systems, that truly bowled Sherman over.
“For example, they really thought outside the box with the design of the electrical system,” he said. “The quality of the installations, the workmanship, the routing of the cabling, it’s all just beautiful. Everything is integrated through a Mastervolt digital-switching system with a touch-screen panel. It’s a forward-thinking boat in every way.”
Under way, Mark Schrader also discovered that the Contest 42CS delivered exceptional sailing performance. “It has a very clean deck layout; it’s completely uncluttered,” he said. “The carbon rig was beautiful and the sails were terrific. The boat just feels comfortable. It’s large enough to feel very safe and secure. I think all those things are very important when you actually get offshore in a seaway. I have a feeling this boat will perform very well at sea.”
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