1996 Contest 48CS vs 2008 Sabre 452 — Comparison
1996 Contest 48CS
2008 Sabre 452
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 2008 Sabre 452 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Sabre |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 2008 Sabre 452 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2008 Sabre 452 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2008 Sabre 452 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 2008 Sabre 452 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 0.91m longer than the 2008 Sabre 452. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 32% 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 2008 Sabre 452, with an SA/D of 16.91 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Sabre 452 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 2008 Sabre 452 has a comfort ratio of 17.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 38.0% for the 2008 Sabre 452, 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 2008 Sabre 452 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 227L 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 2008 Sabre 452 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.