Jeanneau Yacht 53 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Jeanneau Yacht 53
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Yacht 53 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2017 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.06 m (52.7 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.70 m (15.4 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.42 m (7.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,500 kg (34,172 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 115.0 m² (1,238 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 80 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 580 L (153.2 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Yacht 53 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 measures 16.06m (52.7ft) overall with a beam of 4.70m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 is 1.96m longer than the 2005 Contest 46CS. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.79 and 115.0 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Jeanneau Yacht 53 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 580L of water capacity and 300L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 Jeanneau Yacht 53 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Yacht 53 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: Jeanneau Yacht 53 · 2005 Contest 46CS