1990 Contest 40S vs Beneteau First 33.7 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Beneteau First 33.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Beneteau First 33.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Beneteau First 33.7 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Beneteau First 33.7 at 10.04m (32.9ft) with a 3.32m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 2.21m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 93% 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 Beneteau First 33.7, with an SA/D of 19.92 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 33.7 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7, 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 Beneteau First 33.7 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L 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 Beneteau First 33.7 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 · Beneteau First 33.7