2005 Contest 46CS vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Contest 46CS | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Elan |
| Year | 2005–2015 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Slovenia |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Contest 46CS and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2005 Contest 46CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2005 Contest 46CS measures 14.10m (46.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.15m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.03m longer than the 2014 Elan 400. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 65% 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 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Elan 400 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 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, 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 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L 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 2014 Elan 400 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2005 Contest 46CS · 2014 Elan 400