Jeanneau Yacht 53 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
Jeanneau Yacht 53
2008 Contest 50CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Yacht 53 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2017 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.06 m (52.7 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.70 m (15.4 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.42 m (7.9 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,500 kg (34,172 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 115.0 m² (1,238 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 80 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 580 L (153.2 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Yacht 53 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 measures 16.06m (52.7ft) overall with a beam of 4.70m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The Jeanneau Yacht 53 is 0.81m longer than the 2008 Contest 50CS. The 2008 Contest 50CS displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.79 and 115.0 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 Jeanneau Yacht 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Jeanneau Yacht 53 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Yacht 53 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 580L of water capacity and 300L 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 Jeanneau Yacht 53 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Yacht 53 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.