1996 Contest 48CS vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
1996 Contest 48CS
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Moody |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | UK |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 0.91m longer than the 1996 Moody 45. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 20% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Contest 48CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 98.0 m² of sail area. The 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1996 Contest 48CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Contest 48CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Contest 48CS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Contest 48CS 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 1996 Contest 48CS 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.