1988 Contest 38 vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 38 and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 1.65m longer than the 1988 Contest 38. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 23% 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 Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 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 Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, 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 Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 Dufour 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 44 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 · Dufour 44