1988 Contest 44CS vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Valiant |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 44CS measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Contest 44CS is 2.13m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Contest 44CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.86 and 85.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Contest 44CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Contest 44CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Contest 44CS provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 300L of fuel. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Contest 44CS 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 1988 Contest 44CS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Contest 44CS 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 44CS · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37