
They weren’t the sort of conditions you’d ordinarily choose to go out in. It had been blowing 30 knots for the past 30 hours straight that we’d been aboard and despite the protection the small fishing port on the Dutch island of Texel offered, there was still enough swell bouncing around inside its walls to make the warps groan as we pitched up and down against the old musselling barge alongside. No, were time not an issue – were you cruising proper – you’d choose to stay warm and dry, read a book in the decidedly welcoming interior, enjoy some more coffee and local cuisine.
But as I donned all of the foul weather kit I could in preparation for our second day of sailing in these conditions, there was a certain pleasure in the task, a knowledge that this craft would take in its stride what was lurking outside the harbour’s confines. Once we were spat out of that tight entrance channel, there’d be no hiding, but also little need to – because, I knew now, there was still sailing enjoyment to be had. I’d built up a rapport with this Contest 49CS, a level of confidence only a well built yacht can provide.
That said, this new model does bring with it some fundamental questions – not least, whether you might choose this or its twin sister, the 50CS.
DECISIONS DECISIONS
The new 50ft premium bluewater cruiser market is brimming with top choices, including the proven Amel 50, Hallberg-Rassy 50 and the new Oyster 495. These all tend to share a layout formula: a deep centre cockpit to protect the crew and the typical large aft master suite this can help buy space for.
Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de Yachting World.
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Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de Yachting World.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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RAPID EVOLUTION
A CRUISING CATAMARAN OFFERINGBETTER HANDLING, MORE SPEEDAND SAFER PASSAGE-MAKING – WITHOUT THE COMPLICATIONS OFDAGGERBOARDS?

MARGIN OF ERROR
KNOCKED DOWN, BECALMED, GROUNDED, AND LOST, GRAHAM COX'S ATTEMPT TO SAIL FROM AUSTRALIA TO NEW ZEALAND IN A 24-FOOTER ENDS IN NEAR DISASTER

TRIBAL QUEST
IT WAS THE DREAM OF A LIFETIME FOR JAMES ASHWELL TO SAIL TO THE REMOTE ISLANDS OF VANUATU, THE SOLOMON ISLANDS AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA

CHASED BY MONSTERS
THE SOLO VENDÉE GLOBE SAILORS ARE NOW TRAVELLING SO FAST THEY CAN TRY TO OUTRUN MOTHER NATURE. HELEN FRETTER FINDS OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO CIRCLE THE WORLD AT MACH SPEED

DALMATIAN DREAMS
TOBY HODGES AND FAMILY FIND PLENTY OF SURPRISES AS THEY CHARTER A NEW SUNSAIL MODEL FROM THE FAMED OLD CROATIAN CITY OF DUBROVNIK

ICE 66 RS
ICE HAS LITERALLY RAISED THE ROOF WITH ITS LATEST DESIGN, THANKS TO AN ENCOURAGING PAIRING OF FARR AND ITALIAN DESIGN

MATTHEW SHEAHAN
SOMETIMES YOU DON'T NEED TO ADOPT EVERY TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE TO STAY AT THE FRONT, AS THE IMOCA CLASS IS PROVING

SPECIAL REPORT
ELAINE BUNTING ON TRANSATLANTIC MULTIHULLS

NIKKI HENDERSON
WHY SAIL OFFSHORE? OFTEN IT'S TO MAGNIFY YOUR LIFE. THE BIGGER QUESTION IS, WILL YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?

INDIAN OCEAN JEWELS
WILDLY DIVERGENT SAILING AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES CHALLENGE AND DELIGHT SASKIA STAINER-HUTCHINS AS SHE ISLAND-HOPS ACROSS THE VAST INDIAN OCEAN