1996 Contest 48CS vs 2008 Oyster 56 — Comparison
2008 Oyster 56
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 2008 Oyster 56 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Oyster |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 17.10 m (56.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 21,000 kg (46,297 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 128.0 m² (1,378 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 850 L (224.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 2008 Oyster 56 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2008 Oyster 56 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2008 Oyster 56 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 2008 Oyster 56 at 17.10m (56.1ft) with a 4.72m beam. The 2008 Oyster 56 is 2.47m longer than the 1996 Contest 48CS. The 2008 Oyster 56 displaces approximately 40% 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 2008 Oyster 56, with an SA/D of 17.08 and 128.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2008 Oyster 56 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 2008 Oyster 56 has a comfort ratio of 17.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 37.1% for the 2008 Oyster 56, 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 2008 Oyster 56 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 850L water and 500L 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 2008 Oyster 56 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 · 2008 Oyster 56