Bavaria Vision 46 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Vision 46 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Contest |
| Year | 2015–2019 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Vision 46 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Vision 46 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Bavaria Vision 46 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Vision 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.38m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 2.53m longer than the Bavaria Vision 46. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 67% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Vision 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.41 and 95.0 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 Bavaria Vision 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Vision 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Bavaria Vision 46 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Vision 46 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L 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 Bavaria Vision 46 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: Bavaria Vision 46 · 2012 Contest 55CS