Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2008–2015 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.60 m (54.5 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 16,800 kg (37,038 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 650 L (171.7 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS was penned by Philippe Briand. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS measures 16.60m (54.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.80m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS is 1.35m longer than the 2008 Contest 50CS. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.58 and 120.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 650L of water capacity and 350L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS 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: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS · 2008 Contest 50CS