2012 Contest 55CS vs 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 — Comparison
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Contest 55CS | 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 2012 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Nauta Design / Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) | 4.56 m (15.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 150 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 900 L (237.8 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Contest 55CS and 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2012 Contest 55CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 was designed by Nauta Design / Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 2012 Contest 55CS measures 16.80m (55.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.65m, compared to the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.56m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 2.20m longer than the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48. 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 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, with an SA/D of 19.54 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 has a comfort ratio of 12.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS and 30.4% for the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 400L water and 200L 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 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 · 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48