Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.38 m (50.5 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.45 m (44.1 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.58 m (15.0 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 104.0 m² (1,119 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS was penned by Philippe Briand. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS measures 15.38m (50.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.58m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 1.42m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 104.0 m² of sail area. The 2012 Contest 55CS, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 29.0% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2012 Contest 55CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 Contest 55CS 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS 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.