The Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 vs Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 measures 55,8 feet overall (2020), giving it roughly 3,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 at 52,4 feet (2018). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 tips the scales at 55 027 lbs — 18 431 lbs less than the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 at 36 596 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 tops out at 150 hp. Engine specs for the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 carries 476 gallons versus 187 gallons in the Contest Yachts 55CS 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 displaces 55 027 lbs — a 18 431-lb difference over the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 at 36 596 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 draws 8,4 ft, compared to 2,1 ft for the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018. That 6,3-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 has a documented auxiliary engine of 150 hp.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 carries 185 gallons versus 159 gallons on the Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Contest Yachts 55CS 2020 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 55 027 lbs displacement and 56 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Contest Yachts 52MC Classic 2018 at 36 596 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.