Dufour 470 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
Dufour 470
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 470 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Contest |
| Year | 2018 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 440 L (116.2 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 470 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 470 is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Dufour 470 was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Dufour 470 measures 14.23m (46.7ft) overall with a beam of 4.39m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 2.57m longer than the Dufour 470. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 79% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 470 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.07 and 94.0 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 Dufour 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 470 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Dufour 470 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 470 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L of water capacity and 220L 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 Dufour 470 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 470 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: Dufour 470 · 2012 Contest 55CS