Hanse 588 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
Hanse 588
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 588 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Contest |
| Year | 2018 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.55 m (57.6 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 15.62 m (51.2 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 5.09 m (16.7 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 19,000 kg (41,888 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 143.0 m² (1,539 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 700 L (184.9 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 588 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 588 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Hanse 588 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Hanse 588 measures 17.55m (57.6ft) overall with a beam of 5.09m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The Hanse 588 is 0.75m longer than the 2012 Contest 55CS. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 588 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.40 and 143.0 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 Hanse 588 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 588 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.7) 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 32.6% for the Hanse 588 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 588 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 700L of water capacity and 400L 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 Hanse 588 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 588 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.