1990 Contest 40S vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 1.35m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 46% 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 Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 36 Classic 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 Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, 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 Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L 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 Dufour 36 Classic 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 · Dufour 36 Classic