1990 Contest 40S vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Oyster |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 1.77m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 38% 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 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2004 Oyster 46 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 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, 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 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 Oyster 46 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 Oyster 46 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 · 2004 Oyster 46