Bavaria 50 Cruiser vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 50 Cruiser | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Contest |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 530 L (140.0 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 5 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 50 Cruiser and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser measures 15.40m (50.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.55m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 1.40m longer than the Bavaria 50 Cruiser. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.89 and 108.0 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser provides 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L of water capacity and 300L 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.