2015 Contest 62CS vs 2014 Amel 55 — Comparison
2014 Amel 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2015 Contest 62CS | 2014 Amel 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Amel |
| Year | 2015 | 2014–2021 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Olivier Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 18.90 m (62.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 16.00 m (52.5 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| Beam | 5.10 m (16.7 ft) | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 27,000 kg (59,525 lbs) | 19,500 kg (42,990 lbs) |
| Ballast | 10,000 kg (22,046 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 152.0 m² (1,636 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 200 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 800 L (211.3 gal) | 580 L (153.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 1200 L (317.0 gal) | 780 L (206.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2015 Contest 62CS and 2014 Amel 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2015 Contest 62CS is a modern design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2014 Amel 55 is a modern offering from Amel from France. The 2015 Contest 62CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2014 Amel 55 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 2015 Contest 62CS measures 18.90m (62.0ft) overall with a beam of 5.10m, compared to the 2014 Amel 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.75m beam. The 2015 Contest 62CS is 2.10m longer than the 2014 Amel 55. The 2015 Contest 62CS displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2015 Contest 62CS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.15 and 152.0 m² of sail area. The 2014 Amel 55, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2015 Contest 62CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2015 Contest 62CS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The 2014 Amel 55 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.0% for the 2015 Contest 62CS and 34.9% for the 2014 Amel 55, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2015 Contest 62CS provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 1200L of water capacity and 800L of fuel. The 2014 Amel 55 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 780L water and 580L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Amel 55 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 2015 Contest 62CS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2015 Contest 62CS 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: 2015 Contest 62CS · 2014 Amel 55