1990 Contest 40S vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Finland |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 1.80m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 35% 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Contest 40S 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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: 1990 Contest 40S · 1993 Nautor Swan 46