2018 Hanse 548 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
2018 Hanse 548
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2018 Hanse 548 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Contest |
| Year | 2018 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.35 m (53.6 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 14.80 m (48.6 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 16,000 kg (35,274 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 122.0 m² (1,313 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 80 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 270 L (71.3 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 460 L (121.5 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2018 Hanse 548 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2018 Hanse 548 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2018 Hanse 548 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2018 Hanse 548 measures 16.35m (53.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.80m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 0.45m longer than the 2018 Hanse 548. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2018 Hanse 548 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.52 and 122.0 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 2018 Hanse 548 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2018 Hanse 548 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.1) 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 29.4% for the 2018 Hanse 548 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2018 Hanse 548 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L of water capacity and 270L 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 2018 Hanse 548 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2018 Hanse 548 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.