1987 Hylas 49 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Contest |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 99.6 m² (1,072 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The 2012 Contest 55CS 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 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 1.86m longer than the 1987 Hylas 49. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 30% 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 2012 Contest 55CS, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Contest 55CS 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 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, 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 2012 Contest 55CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Hylas 49 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 2012 Contest 55CS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 Contest 55CS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1987 Hylas 49 · 2012 Contest 55CS