2010 Oyster 475 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
2010 Oyster 475
2008 Contest 50CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Oyster 475 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Contest |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | Netherlands |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.50 m (47.6 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Oyster 475 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Oyster 475 is a modern design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2010 Oyster 475 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2010 Oyster 475 measures 14.50m (47.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 2008 Contest 50CS is 0.75m longer than the 2010 Oyster 475. The 2008 Contest 50CS displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Oyster 475 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.02 and 95.0 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 2010 Oyster 475 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Oyster 475 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). 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 2010 Oyster 475 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Oyster 475 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 280L 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 2010 Oyster 475 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Contest 50CS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.