1990 Contest 40S vs 1979 Pearson 37 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
1979 Pearson 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 1979 Pearson 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Pearson |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.43 m (11.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 7,258 kg (16,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,084 kg (6,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 190 L (50.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 1979 Pearson 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1979 Pearson 37 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1979 Pearson 37 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1979 Pearson 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.43m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 0.97m longer than the 1979 Pearson 37. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Contest 40S has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.00 and 68.5 m² of sail area. The 1979 Pearson 37, with an SA/D of 15.18 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1990 Contest 40S has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Contest 40S offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1979 Pearson 37 has a comfort ratio of 24.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 42.5% for the 1979 Pearson 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Contest 40S provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 1979 Pearson 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 190L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Pearson 37 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 1990 Contest 40S 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1990 Contest 40S · 1979 Pearson 37