2012 Contest 55CS vs 2014 Oyster 625 — Comparison
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Contest 55CS | 2014 Oyster 625 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Oyster |
| Year | 2012 | 2014–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | UK |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) | 19.20 m (63.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) | 16.50 m (54.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) | 5.30 m (17.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) | 32,000 kg (70,548 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) | 175.0 m² (1,884 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 150 HP | 180 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 900 L (237.8 gal) | 1200 L (317.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Contest 55CS and 2014 Oyster 625 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2014 Oyster 625 is a modern offering from Oyster from UK. The 2012 Contest 55CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2014 Oyster 625 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2012 Contest 55CS measures 16.80m (55.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.65m, compared to the 2014 Oyster 625 at 19.20m (63.0ft) with a 5.30m beam. The 2014 Oyster 625 is 2.40m longer than the 2012 Contest 55CS. The 2014 Oyster 625 displaces approximately 60% 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 Oyster 625, with an SA/D of 17.63 and 175.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Oyster 625 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 Oyster 625 has a comfort ratio of 17.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.67. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS and 37.5% for the 2014 Oyster 625, 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 Oyster 625 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 1200L water and 800L 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 Oyster 625 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 2012 Contest 55CS · 2014 Oyster 625