1994 Hylas 42 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1994 Hylas 42 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Contest |
| Year | 1994–2004 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.3 m² (800 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 379 L (100.1 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1994 Hylas 42 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1994 Hylas 42 is a 1990s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1994 Hylas 42 was penned by German Frers. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1994 Hylas 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 1.30m longer than the 1994 Hylas 42. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1994 Hylas 42 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.80 and 74.3 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 1994 Hylas 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1994 Hylas 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 40.5% for the 1994 Hylas 42 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1994 Hylas 42 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L of water capacity and 189L 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 1994 Hylas 42 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: 1994 Hylas 42 · 2005 Contest 46CS