Contest Yachts appoints Australia and New Zealand dealer

Contest Yachts has appointed Australian and New Zealand yacht importer Windcraft as its representative in the region, as the Dutch boatbuilder expands in the APAC region.

The announcement, which was signed at boot Düsseldorf 2024 and recently announced on social media, will see Windcraft take on Contest’s range of blue water cruising yachts from 42ft to 85ft, as well as the Dutch’s brand’s acclaimed Contest 52MC motor yacht.

Windcraft managing director Anthony Bishop was in Düsseldorf last month and inked the deal with the CEO of Contest Yachts, Arjen Conijn.

“Having known Arjen and his team for five years now, I am delighted that we are able to represent Contest Yachts in Australia and New Zealand,” Bishop says. “They are extremely passionate about building the highest quality semi-custom yachts for their owners who all have only good things to say about the team, the yard, and the yachts,” he adds.

Conjin says the new partnership with Windcraft is an important part of the company’s strategy to expand into new markets in Asia-Pacific.

Last year, the boatbuilder appointed Hong Kong-based Asia Yacht Services as its regional distributor in east Asia.

“We are delighted to now be working with Anthony to grow our presence in the APAC region,” he says. “We have a great range of yachts, our story is strong, and Anthony’s team at Windcraft Yachts is well placed to tell it and sell it. The time is right. We are expanding,”

Founded in 1959, the Contest yard at Medemblik, north of Amsterdam, remains family run.

Contest has forged a reputation over the years for its build quality and expertise and is only one of a few boat-builders in this size range to obtain full Lloyd’s Register certification.

The new Contest 50CS was on display alongside its aft-cockpit sistership, the 49CS (main picture), at boot Düsseldorf.

Contest recently collaborated with British carmaker Bentley to create a bespoke interior for the Contest 67CS.

“With this high-quality Dutch approach to performance blue water cruising, we see a great future in our market, which includes so many true distance-cruising sailors,” says Bishop, “and we love that these yachts are equally so well set for luxurious local cruising.”

Main image courtesy Contest Yachts/Sander van der Borch