2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hallberg-Rassy | Contest |
| Year | 2001–2010 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.20 m (53.1 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 118.0 m² (1,270 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 130 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 800 L (211.3 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 is a 2000s design by Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 was penned by German Frers. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 measures 16.20m (53.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.55m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 is 0.95m longer than the 2008 Contest 50CS. The 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.45 and 118.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Contest 50CS, with an SA/D of 16.92 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 800L of water capacity and 500L of fuel. The 2008 Contest 50CS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L water and 450L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Contest 50CS 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 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 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: 2001 Hallberg-Rassy 53 · 2008 Contest 50CS