1996 Contest 48CS vs Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 — Comparison
1996 Contest 48CS
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 420 L (111.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 0.03m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 36% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, with an SA/D of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has a comfort ratio of 12.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L water and 200L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.