Beneteau First 47.7 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2012 Contest 55CS 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 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 2.11m longer than the Beneteau First 47.7. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 74% 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 2012 Contest 55CS, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, 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 2012 Contest 55CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 Contest 55CS 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 47.7 · 2012 Contest 55CS