1987 Hylas 49 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Contest |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 99.6 m² (1,072 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1987 Hylas 49 measures 14.94m (49.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 1987 Hylas 49 is 0.84m longer than the 2005 Contest 46CS. The 1987 Hylas 49 displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Hylas 49 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.33 and 99.6 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Contest 46CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Hylas 49 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Hylas 49 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 568L of water capacity and 303L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2005 Contest 46CS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Hylas 49 · 2005 Contest 46CS