1988 Contest 38 vs Hanse 400 — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | Hanse 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hanse |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 38 and Hanse 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hanse 400 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hanse 400 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the Hanse 400 at 12.10m (39.7ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Hanse 400 is 0.55m longer than the 1988 Contest 38. The 1988 Contest 38 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Contest 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.01 and 61.5 m² of sail area. The Hanse 400, with an SA/D of 17.87 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Contest 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Hanse 400 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 30.9% for the Hanse 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Contest 38 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Hanse 400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Contest 38 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 400 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 400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Contest 38 · Hanse 400