2000 Oyster 53 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
2000 Oyster 53
2008 Contest 50CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Oyster 53 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Contest |
| Year | 2000–2008 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | Netherlands |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.40 m (44.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 115.0 m² (1,238 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 130 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 700 L (184.9 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Oyster 53 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Oyster 53 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2000 Oyster 53 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2000 Oyster 53 measures 16.15m (53.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.55m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 2000 Oyster 53 is 0.90m longer than the 2008 Contest 50CS. The 2000 Oyster 53 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Oyster 53 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.01 and 115.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Contest 50CS, with an SA/D of 16.92 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2000 Oyster 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Oyster 53 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the 2000 Oyster 53 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Oyster 53 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 2008 Contest 50CS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L water and 450L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Contest 50CS 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 2000 Oyster 53 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.