Beneteau First 47.7 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 2008 Contest 50CS is 0.56m longer than the Beneteau First 47.7. The 2008 Contest 50CS displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L 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 Beneteau First 47.7 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 First 47.7 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: Beneteau First 47.7 · 2008 Contest 50CS