1996 Contest 48CS vs Catalina 545 — Comparison
1996 Contest 48CS
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Catalina 545 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Catalina |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 605 L (159.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Catalina 545 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Catalina 545 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Catalina 545 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 545 at 16.46m (54.0ft) with a 4.72m beam. The Catalina 545 is 1.83m longer than the 1996 Contest 48CS. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 21% 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 545, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 545 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 545 has a comfort ratio of 15.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 37.5% for the Catalina 545, 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 545 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L water and 340L 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 Catalina 545 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.