2012 Contest 55CS vs 2005 Najad 460 — Comparison
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Contest 55CS | 2005 Najad 460 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Najad |
| Year | 2012 | 2005–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) | 97.0 m² (1,044 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 150 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 320 L (84.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 900 L (237.8 gal) | 560 L (147.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Contest 55CS and 2005 Najad 460 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2005 Najad 460 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 2012 Contest 55CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2005 Najad 460 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 2012 Contest 55CS measures 16.80m (55.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.65m, compared to the 2005 Najad 460 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 2.70m longer than the 2005 Najad 460. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 48% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2012 Contest 55CS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of sail area. The 2005 Najad 460, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 97.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Najad 460 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2012 Contest 55CS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2005 Najad 460 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS and 38.5% for the 2005 Najad 460, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2012 Contest 55CS provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L of water capacity and 600L of fuel. The 2005 Najad 460 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 560L water and 320L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Najad 460 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 2005 Najad 460 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 Contest 55CS 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: 2012 Contest 55CS · 2005 Najad 460