1996 Contest 48CS vs Bavaria 50 Cruiser — Comparison
1996 Contest 48CS
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Bavaria 50 Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Bavaria |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Bavaria 50 Cruiser represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Bavaria 50 Cruiser at 15.40m (50.5ft) with a 4.55m beam. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser is 0.77m longer than the 1996 Contest 48CS. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 7% 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser, 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L water and 300L 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.