2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 vs 2015 Contest 62CS — Comparison
2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
2015 Contest 62CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 | 2015 Contest 62CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2019 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Groupe Finot-Conq | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.94 m (52.3 ft) | 18.90 m (62.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) | 16.00 m (52.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) | 5.10 m (16.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 27,000 kg (59,525 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 10,000 kg (22,046 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 152.0 m² (1,636 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 200 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 1200 L (317.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 5 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 and 2015 Contest 62CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 2015 Contest 62CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 was penned by Groupe Finot-Conq. The 2015 Contest 62CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 measures 15.94m (52.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.80m, compared to the 2015 Contest 62CS at 18.90m (62.0ft) with a 5.10m beam. The 2015 Contest 62CS is 2.96m longer than the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1. The 2015 Contest 62CS displaces approximately 100% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.35 and 108.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Contest 62CS, with an SA/D of 17.15 and 152.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 11.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2015 Contest 62CS has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 28.2% for the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 and 37.0% for the 2015 Contest 62CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 provides 10 berths in 5 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2015 Contest 62CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 1200L water and 800L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2015 Contest 62CS 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 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.