1990 Contest 40S vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
1988 Valiant Esprit 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Valiant |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 0.97m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 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.