The Contest 52MC Flybridge stands as a bold departure for Contest Yachts, marking the Dutch yard’s entry into the motor yacht segment with a flybridge configuration that builds on the acclaimed 52MC platform. Conceived through the combined talents of naval architect Georg Nissen, design engineers Vripack, and Contest’s own in-house team, the 52MC Flybridge offers a 15.93-metre hull form that defies conventional classification. Neither pure displacement nor full planing, this innovative semi-displacement design delivers smooth, stable performance across a wide speed range with remarkably low fuel consumption and minimal wake.
The flybridge adds a commanding upper helm station with joystick control, a sheltered dining area, and generous lounging space, all integrated beneath sleekly proportioned lines that preserve the yacht’s sporting character. Below, the deck-level saloon benefits from wraparound glazing and a flexible layout that can accommodate three cabins with two heads or two cabins with a lower-deck galley. Vacuum-infused GRP construction ensures a stiff, lightweight hull with reduced noise and vibration underway.
Extra-wide walk-around decks, high bulwarks with sturdy handrails, and integrated side boarding gates reinforce the design philosophy of safe passage-making in any sea state. A hydraulic transom platform, tender garage, and automated passerelle add convenience and versatility. With twin Cummins diesels mounted amidships for optimal weight distribution, the 52MC Flybridge transitions onto the plane without the characteristic hump, delivering a level ride from harbour speed through open-water cruising.
Length
15.93M
Beam
4.6M
Draft
0.85M
Day Guests
6
Sleeping
6
Cabin
3
Cruise Speed
Max Speed
Fuel
1800L
Engine
2x Cummins QSB 6.7 224kW
Option 1
2x Cummins QSC 8.3 350hp
Option 2
2x Cummins QSM 11 550hp
Naval
Georg Nissen
Exterior
Vripack
Interior
Contest / Vripack
New Starting From
€1,350,000
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The foundation of the 52MC Flybridge is Georg Nissen’s innovative hull form, developed in partnership with Vripack and refined through extensive tank testing. Rather than choosing between displacement efficiency and planing speed, the design achieves a half-planing characteristic that performs well across the entire speed range. The hull tracks straight through turns, stays flat under acceleration, and delivers fuel economy figures that surprise even experienced motor yacht owners. With twin Cummins engines concentrated amidships, weight distribution is optimized so the transition onto the plane happens without the nose-up hump that plagues conventional semi-displacement designs. The result is a level ride from idle to cruise speed, a quality that becomes particularly apparent during extended passages where crew comfort translates directly to reduced fatigue.
Contest’s approach to the flybridge avoids the tall, top-heavy profiles that often compromise a motor yacht’s seakeeping. The upper deck sits low and sleek, preserving sportster proportions while delivering genuine utility. Joystick control at the flybridge helm provides commanding visibility and precise maneuvering in tight marina situations, while the surrounding space accommodates a full outdoor dining setup and lounging areas designed for extended use. Despite the structural addition of an upper deck, the maximum height above the waterline remains a relatively modest 3.74 metres, keeping windage manageable and canal bridge clearance practical for European inland waterway cruising. The 18,500 kg displacement, approximately 1,900 kg more than the Fastlane variant, reflects the added structure without compromising the hull’s designed performance envelope.
The deck-level saloon takes full advantage of wraparound glazing to create an observation lounge that blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor living. Forward of the helm position, a comfortable dinette provides a sheltered vantage point underway. The accommodation layout below decks offers genuine flexibility, with owners choosing between an upper galley arrangement with three cabins and two heads, or a two-cabin configuration with a dedicated lower-deck galley and two heads. The finish throughout reflects Contest’s established standards, with joinery details and material choices that speak to decades of hand-building yachts to classification society standards. Sound engineering and the inherent stiffness of vacuum-infused GRP construction keep engine noise at bay throughout the accommodation spaces, an area where Contest’s sailing yacht background proves directly relevant.
Where many flybridge yachts prioritize entertaining over seamanship, the 52MC Flybridge treats both as equal priorities. Extra-wide walk-around decks and high bulwarks with sturdy handrails make forward passage safe in rough conditions. Pop-up cleats sit flush in the capping rail, allowing line handling without stooping. The cockpit provides generous seating around an expanding table that converts to a sunpad for harbour relaxation, while the transom opens to reveal a garage with capacity for a sizable tender and water toys. A hydraulic bathing platform adjusts above and below the waterline for swimming and tender launching, and an automated passerelle deploys at the press of a button. Integrated side boarding gates on both sides simplify marina access regardless of berth orientation, and a concealed automated anchoring system keeps the foredeck clean and uncluttered.
The Contest 52MC Flybridge occupies a distinctive position in the 16-metre motor yacht market. Few builders of comparable pedigree offer a semi-custom flybridge motor yacht at this length, and fewer still back it with the structural philosophy that characterizes Dutch bluewater yacht construction. Vacuum-infused GRP construction, centralized machinery placement, and redundant systems design all reflect a builder accustomed to yachts that cross oceans rather than simply cruise coastlines. With an estimated new price around EUR 1,350,000, the 52MC Flybridge competes against volume-produced flybridge yachts from Italian and British builders while offering a level of customization and build quality that sits firmly in the semi-custom category. For buyers who value substance over production-line uniformity and who want the confidence of Dutch engineering behind every sea mile, the 52MC Flybridge merits serious consideration.
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