Modish, elegant, the bluewater Stradivarius, just some of the praises sung of the Contest 42CS by the world’s leading yachting media. No wonder this neat, sophisticated, 13-metre cruiser is a proud European Yacht of the Year winner.

As Toby Hodges of Yachting World magazine reported, “Here is a model that cleverly represents everything this third-generation, family-run yard stands for – a manageable-sized bluewater cruiser that has the options and attention to detail mastered from building larger vessels.

As such, an ideal introduction to the quality produced by time-honoured knowledge and skill. It became obvious pretty quickly why the 42CS won the award. She is a delight to sail and her stiff construction belies her modest 11-tonne displacement.”

The beautiful balance of topside height, sheerline and sleek coachroof presents a timeless, powerful profile. Broad sterned with twin helm stations, the decks and cockpit are wide and particularly easy to walk and work for boat size. The transom also drops down from capping rail height to create a walk-through bathing and boarding platform for eased aft access.

Outfitting is first class with vacuum bonded eco-decking, high spec, top brand hardware, and clever design-detailing such as the aft-led sail controls channelled invisibly, internally through the mullions in the coachroof glazing. Choice begins with two key deck plans: Shorthanded and Performance, each version featuring different arrangements from cockpit-floor traveller to coachroof mainsheet, and outboard or in-cockpit winching. A popular option being Contest’s trademark central plinth-mounted winch in front of the helm pedestals, abaft the cockpit table.

For the swept back, two spreader rig there are options of aluminium or carbon spars with in-mast, in-boom or slab-reefing. And for further eased sail management, there’s an integral retractable bowsprit and tidy, beneath-deck headsail furler. The split backstay can optionally also be hydraulically tensioned.

The accommodation mood is for the owner to choose, as is which of four cabin-plan variations. Two double cabins aft, or one double and one single with bulk storage, or workroom space. And in the saloon, a dedicated navigation station or a second shower in the heads. Headroom throughout is generous, stowage plentiful.

From soft cornered cabinets to upholstered panels and Corian galley top, the finish is lustrous, tactile, complete. The sense of a very much bigger boat. By day natural light fills every cabin, and by night feature-lighting illuminates luxuriously. Fittings and furnishings are all top quality. Easy access to all service points is in-built, a fine achievement for such a customisable interior.