What Contest Yachts does

Contest Yachts is a family-owned Dutch premium yacht builder founded in 1959 in Medemblik, Netherlands, and now in its third generation under the Conijn family. The company designs and constructs semi-custom sailing yachts in the 42CS to 85CS range alongside a motor yacht (52MC), serving ultra-high-net-worth individual buyers globally. Production is Lloyd's Register certified continuously since 1972, with more than 3,500 yachts delivered over the company's 65-year history.

The product range is built around a semi-custom, semi-series approach: clients configure hulls from established Center Salon (CS) platforms, with naval architecture and exterior styling delivered through long-standing partnerships with judel/vrolijk & co, Wetzels Brown Partners, Vripack, and Georg Nissen. Notable recent launches include the Contest 49CS and 50CS (2023), the 63CS (2024), and the 56CS (world premiere at boot Düsseldorf 2026), with the 63CS winning European Yacht of the Year 2025 in the Luxury Cruiser category. The company maintains a co-branded partnership with Bentley Motors and offers after-sales support through subsidiary Medemblik Yacht Service.

Contest Yachts generates revenue through one-off or low-volume orders of premium yachts, with unit prices in the low-to-mid single-digit million USD range for current models and higher for the 85CS. Go-to-market is built around a global agent network, direct client engagement, and presence at major European boat shows (Cannes, Southampton, Düsseldorf). The company is privately held, with 51–100 employees, and does not disclose financial results.

Name

Contest Yachts

Legal name

Conyplex B.V.

Website

https://contestyachts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Contest Yachts is a third-generation, family-owned Dutch shipyard building semi-custom premium sailing yachts (42CS–85CS) and a motor yacht (52MC) for ultra-high-net-worth buyers, with Lloyd's Register certification since 1972 and over 3,500 yachts delivered.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Yacht Manufacturing

NAICS

Boat Building (336612), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Semi-Custom Luxury Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC), Luxury Motor Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAD)

Keywords

• Luxury yacht manufacturing
• Sailing yachts
• Motor yachts
• Custom yacht building
• Yacht refit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Medemblik

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Yacht Sales: Contest Yachts generates primary revenue through the sale of custom and semi-custom luxury sailing and motor yachts. Yachts are built to order with extensive customization options spanning hull configurations, interior layouts, rig choices, and finish materials. Price points vary significantly based on model size (42ft to 85ft), specification level, and customization scope.
2. Yacht Refit and Service: Through Medemblik Yacht Service, the company provides service and maintenance for Contest yachts and quality vessels. Service operations represent an additional revenue stream supporting the lifecycle of existing yachts.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Contest Yachts designs, builds, and delivers premium semi-custom luxury sailing yachts and motor yachts ranging from approximately 42ft to 85ft, manufactured at its shipyard in Medemblik, the Netherlands. The company also provides refit, maintenance, and customization services for existing yachts, and offers the Bentley Motors collaboration-edition Contest 59CS.

Product overview

Contest Yachts is a Dutch yacht manufacturer producing premium sailing and motor yachts ranging from 42ft to 85ft (13m to 26m). The product portfolio consists of eight sailing yacht models (42CS, 49CS, 50CS, 56CS, 63CS, 67CS, 72CS, 85CS) spanning the centre-cockpit bluewater cruiser segment, and two motor yacht variants (52MC FASTLANE and 52MC FLYBRIDGE). All yachts are built to highest Dutch standards combining hand-finished craftsmanship with modern technologies. The company also maintains a Classics line of historic models. Construction features include Lloyd's Register certification, vacuum resin injection techniques, and customisable interiors by Wetzels Brown Partners, with naval architecture from judel/vrolijk & co for most models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contest 42CS Semi-custom 42-foot luxury sailing yacht built by Contest Yachts for private owners seeking a premium Dutch-built performance cruiser.
• Contest 49CS Semi-custom 49-foot luxury sailing yacht manufactured by Contest Yachts for private cruising owners.
• Contest 50CS Semi-custom 50-foot luxury sailing yacht built by Contest Yachts for private owners.
• Contest 56CS Semi-custom 56-foot luxury sailing yacht manufactured by Contest Yachts for private owners.
• Contest 63CS Semi-custom 63-foot luxury sailing yacht manufactured by Contest Yachts for private owners.
• Contest 67CS Semi-custom 67-foot luxury sailing yacht manufactured by Contest Yachts for private owners.
• Contest 72CS Semi-custom 72-foot luxury sailing yacht manufactured by Contest Yachts for private owners.
• Contest 85CS Flagship 85-foot semi-custom luxury sailing yacht built by Contest Yachts for private owners at the top of the sailing range.
• Contest 59CS Bentley Edition Limited-edition collaboration-edition 59-foot sailing yacht produced by Contest Yachts in partnership with Bentley Motors, targeted at luxury lifestyle buyers.
• Contest 52MC Flybridge 52-foot semi-custom flybridge motor yacht manufactured by Contest Yachts for private owners seeking a luxury motor cruiser.
• Contest 52MC Fastlane 52-foot semi-custom fast motor yacht variant built by Contest Yachts for owners prioritizing speed and motor-yacht performance.
• Contest Classics Classics line of yachts from Contest Yachts offering traditional-styled luxury builds for owners seeking classic-design vessels.
• Contest Refit Services Refit, maintenance, and customization services for existing yachts, performed at the Medemblik shipyard, providing owners with post-delivery support and upgrades.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,500 Contest yachts built since 1959
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Sevenstar Yacht TransportflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2026Sevenstar Yacht Transport is the Main Partner for the Sevenstar Contest Meeting 2026 and Sevenstar Contest Cup regatta events. The partnership enables global yacht transport services for Contest owners and co-branded sailing events that strengthen the Contest community.
• RaymarinecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2026Raymarine is the Official Partner for the Sevenstar Contest Meeting 2026, providing marine electronics and navigation technology integration for Contest yachts at the event.
• BluewaterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Bluewater is associated with the Open House Bluewater Day 2026 event, suggesting a partnership for hosting owner events and yacht experience days.
• Bentley MotorsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021A unique collaboration with Bentley Motors created a jointly styled and designed yacht interior bringing together both luxury brands. The specially commissioned 20-metre Contest 67CS features bespoke Bentley Home designs and book-matched interiors using materials, motifs, and techniques from Bentley cars.
• Lloyd's RegisterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1972, Lloyd's Register has provided oversight and certification for all Contest yachts. The partnership ensures quality surveillance and certification to the world's highest standards, providing owners with peace of mind and international recognition.
• judel/vrolijk & coflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaval architects judel/vrolijk & co provide exterior design and engineering for Contest sailing yachts including the 56CS, 63CS, 67CS, 72CS, and 85CS. The partnership brings performance-optimized hull forms and sailing characteristics to the Contest range.
• Wetzels Brown PartnersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design studio Wetzels Brown Partners provides superyacht-quality interior styling for Contest yachts including the 55CS, 56CS, 63CS, 67CS, 72CS, and 85CS. The collaboration delivers sophisticated, modern interior spaces with premium materials and craftsmanship.
• Georg NissencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorg Nissen is a longstanding design partner who created the innovative semi-planing hull for the Contest 52MC motor yacht. His acclaimed design provides smooth ride and efficiency while achieving both high speed and fuel economy.
• VripackcoreTechnology or IntegrationAcclaimed design-engineers Vripack collaborated with Georg Nissen and Contest's in-house team on the 52MC motor yacht, providing comprehensive design engineering for the model.
• Sailing EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSailing Energy appears in imagery from Contest Meeting events, suggesting a partnership for sailing event organization and regatta support services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hoek Design: Dutch design and build house for semi-custom and classic-inspired luxury sailing yachts. Comparable in the high-end bluewater segment and Dutch design pedigree, with overlapping customer pool.
• X-Yachts: Danish builder of premium performance cruising yachts in the 40–60ft range. Comparable on European semi-custom production and sailing-yacht customer, but more performance-oriented and less bluewater-luxury positioned.
• Vitters Shipyard: Dutch custom sailing yacht builder based in Zwartsluis. Comparable in Dutch heritage, premium positioning and custom luxury sailing focus, though at smaller annual volume and fully-custom model.
• Nautor's Swan: Finnish builder of semi-custom and custom luxury sailing yachts (ClubSwan, Swan series) in comparable 40–100ft bluewater segments with strong racing pedigree. Closely matches Contest's semi-custom luxury positioning and HNW customer base.
• Royal Huisman: Dutch builder of full-custom luxury sailing yachts and superyachts from Vollenhove. Highly comparable on Dutch craftsmanship heritage, Lloyd's certification and HNW bluewater customer, but operating at a larger and fully-custom tier.
• Oyster Yachts: UK builder of long-distance luxury bluewater sailing yachts in the 50–120ft segment. Directly competes with Contest for HNW bluewater cruisers and shares the Lloyd's-classed, semi-custom production model.

Broad incumbents

• Feadship: Dutch builder of fully custom luxury motor superyachts (50m+). Comparable on Dutch craftsmanship heritage and ultra-luxury positioning, but operates in a much larger and purely custom motor yacht tier.
• Beneteau: French mass-market sailboat and motor yacht group (including Lagoon catamarans). A broad incumbent that overlaps with Contest in the 40–60ft sailing segment but at lower price points and far higher volumes.
• Heesen Yachts: Dutch builder of luxury motor yachts and superyachts. Comparable on Dutch heritage, Lloyd's-classed quality and HNW buyer overlap with Contest's motor yacht ambitions, but at a larger and fully-custom scale.

Emerging players

• Princess Yachts: UK luxury motor yacht builder in the 40–100ft segment. Comparable on European luxury motor yacht positioning adjacent to Contest's 52MC line, though Princess operates at significantly larger scale and broader model range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2uRx1YrzWwpa87qBLcenSw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ContestyachtsNL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/contest-yachts
• Instagraminstagram.com/contestyachts_official
• TikToktiktok.com/@contestyachts_official
• Xx.com/contestyachts

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Contest Yachts