2008 Oyster 56 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
2008 Oyster 56
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Oyster 56 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Contest |
| Year | 2008–2015 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | Netherlands |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.10 m (56.1 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 21,000 kg (46,297 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 128.0 m² (1,378 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 150 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 850 L (224.5 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Oyster 56 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Oyster 56 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2008 Oyster 56 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2008 Oyster 56 measures 17.10m (56.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2008 Oyster 56 is 0.30m longer than the 2012 Contest 55CS. The 2008 Oyster 56 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Oyster 56 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.08 and 128.0 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 2012 Contest 55CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Oyster 56 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.1% for the 2008 Oyster 56 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Oyster 56 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 850L of water capacity and 500L 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 2012 Contest 55CS 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: 2008 Oyster 56 · 2012 Contest 55CS