1990 Contest 40S vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hunter |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 3.00m longer than the Hunter 306. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 127% 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 Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 306 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 Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L 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 Hunter 306 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 · Hunter 306