1996 Contest 48CS vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Sabre |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 2.44m longer than the 2003 Sabre 402. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 83% 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 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Sabre 402 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 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, 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 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L 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 2003 Sabre 402 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 · 2003 Sabre 402