1996 Contest 48CS vs Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 14.75 m (48.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.98 m (16.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 80 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.98m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 is 2.17m longer than the 1996 Contest 48CS. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 displaces approximately 10% 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 Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54, with an SA/D of 18.81 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 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 Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 has a comfort ratio of 12.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 31.5% for the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54, 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 Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 600L water and 350L 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 Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1996 Contest 48CS · Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54