2005 Contest 46CS vs 2012 Sabre 48 — Comparison
2005 Contest 46CS
2012 Sabre 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Contest 46CS | 2012 Sabre 48 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Sabre |
| Year | 2005–2015 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Contest 46CS and 2012 Sabre 48 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2012 Sabre 48 is a modern offering from Sabre from USA. The 2005 Contest 46CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2012 Sabre 48 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 2005 Contest 46CS measures 14.10m (46.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.15m, compared to the 2012 Sabre 48 at 14.63m (48.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2012 Sabre 48 is 0.53m longer than the 2005 Contest 46CS. The 2012 Sabre 48 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2005 Contest 46CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of sail area. The 2012 Sabre 48, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Sabre 48 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2005 Contest 46CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 2012 Sabre 48 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS and 38.3% for the 2012 Sabre 48, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2005 Contest 46CS provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L of water capacity and 350L of fuel. The 2012 Sabre 48 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 284L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 2012 Sabre 48 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.