1988 Contest 44CS vs Hunter 450 — Comparison
1988 Contest 44CS
Hunter 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | Hunter 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hunter |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 341 L (90.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and Hunter 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hunter 450 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hunter 450 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 450 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.27m beam. The Hunter 450 is 0.31m longer than the 1988 Contest 44CS. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 17% 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 450, with an SA/D of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 450 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 450 has a comfort ratio of 15.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 37.5% for the Hunter 450, 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 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L water and 189L 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 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 450 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.