1990 Contest 40S vs Beneteau First 36.7 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Beneteau First 36.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2002–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Beneteau First 36.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Beneteau First 36.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
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 36.7 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.58m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 1.00m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 56% 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 36.7, with an SA/D of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 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 36.7 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7, 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 36.7 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L 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 36.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 36.7 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 · Beneteau First 36.7