1990 Contest 40S vs 2004 Najad 405 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
2004 Najad 405
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 2004 Najad 405 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Najad |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2004–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 12.40 m (40.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.82 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 73.0 m² (786 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 2004 Najad 405 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2004 Najad 405 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2004 Najad 405 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2004 Najad 405 at 12.40m (40.7ft) with a 3.82m beam. The 2004 Najad 405 is 0.15m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The 2004 Najad 405 displaces approximately 1% 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 2004 Najad 405, with an SA/D of 16.89 and 73.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2004 Najad 405 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 2004 Najad 405 has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 39.1% for the 2004 Najad 405, 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 2004 Najad 405 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 2004 Najad 405 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2004 Najad 405 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.