2008 Contest 50CS vs 2008 Sabre 452 — Comparison
2008 Sabre 452
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Contest 50CS | 2008 Sabre 452 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Sabre |
| Year | 2008–2018 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 700 L (184.9 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Contest 50CS and 2008 Sabre 452 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2008 Sabre 452 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 2008 Contest 50CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2008 Sabre 452 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 2008 Contest 50CS measures 15.25m (50.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.40m, compared to the 2008 Sabre 452 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 2008 Contest 50CS is 1.53m longer than the 2008 Sabre 452. The 2008 Contest 50CS displaces approximately 46% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Contest 50CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.92 and 108.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Sabre 452, with an SA/D of 16.91 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Contest 50CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Contest 50CS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2008 Sabre 452 has a comfort ratio of 17.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS and 38.0% for the 2008 Sabre 452, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Contest 50CS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L of water capacity and 450L of fuel. The 2008 Sabre 452 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 227L 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 2008 Contest 50CS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Contest 50CS 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: 2008 Contest 50CS · 2008 Sabre 452