1988 Contest 44CS vs 2002 Najad 440 — Comparison
1988 Contest 44CS
2002 Najad 440
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | 2002 Najad 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Najad |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2002–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and 2002 Najad 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2002 Najad 440 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2002 Najad 440 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 44CS measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 2002 Najad 440 at 13.50m (44.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 2002 Najad 440 is 0.09m longer than the 1988 Contest 44CS. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 10% 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 2002 Najad 440, with an SA/D of 17.55 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2002 Najad 440 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 2002 Najad 440 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 39.1% for the 2002 Najad 440, 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 2002 Najad 440 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L 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 2002 Najad 440 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.