Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2018 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 420 L (111.0 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 measures 14.60m (47.9ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 2.20m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 82% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.10 and 93.0 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L of water capacity and 200L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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: Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 · 2012 Contest 55CS