2000 Oyster 53 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
2000 Oyster 53
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Oyster 53 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Contest |
| Year | 2000–2008 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | Netherlands |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 13.40 m (44.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 115.0 m² (1,238 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 130 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 700 L (184.9 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Oyster 53 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Oyster 53 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2000 Oyster 53 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2000 Oyster 53 measures 16.15m (53.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.55m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2000 Oyster 53 is 2.05m longer than the 2005 Contest 46CS. The 2000 Oyster 53 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Oyster 53 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.01 and 115.0 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 2000 Oyster 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Oyster 53 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the 2000 Oyster 53 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Oyster 53 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L of water capacity and 400L 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 2000 Oyster 53 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2000 Oyster 53 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: 2000 Oyster 53 · 2005 Contest 46CS