1996 Contest 48CS vs Hunter 450 — Comparison
1996 Contest 48CS
Hunter 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Hunter 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 341 L (90.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Hunter 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hunter 450 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hunter 450 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Hunter 450 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.27m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 450. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 38% 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 Hunter 450, with an SA/D of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 450 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 Hunter 450 has a comfort ratio of 15.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 37.5% for the Hunter 450, 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 Hunter 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L water and 189L 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 Hunter 450 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.