1990 Contest 40S vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 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 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 0.95m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 5% 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 Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 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 Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, 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 Dufour 44 offers 8 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 Dufour 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 44 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 · Dufour 44