1988 Contest 44CS vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Bavaria |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 44CS measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The 1988 Contest 44CS is 2.11m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 36. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 98% 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 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 · Bavaria Cruiser 36