1988 Contest 44CS vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hunter |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 44CS measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The 1988 Contest 44CS is 2.59m longer than the Hunter 356. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 133% 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 Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 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 Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, 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 Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L 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 Hunter 356 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 · Hunter 356