1996 Contest 48CS vs 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 — Comparison
1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 1999–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is a 1990s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is 2.17m longer than the 1996 Contest 48CS. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 displaces approximately 34% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Contest 48CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 98.0 m² of sail area. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Contest 48CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 37.5% for the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Contest 48CS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Contest 48CS 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 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 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: 1996 Contest 48CS · 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55