1996 Contest 48CS vs 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 13.94 m (45.7 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 10,100 kg (22,267 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 330 L (87.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 at 13.94m (45.7ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 0.69m longer than the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 48% 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, with an SA/D of 19.13 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 has a comfort ratio of 12.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 30.7% for the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 330L water and 180L 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 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 · 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45