1996 Contest 48CS vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Catalina |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Catalina 390 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Catalina 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 2.74m longer than the Catalina 390. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 81% 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 Catalina 390, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.5 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 Catalina 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, 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 Catalina 390 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L water and 114L 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: The 1996 Contest 48CS 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: 1996 Contest 48CS · Catalina 390