1990 Contest 40S vs 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2005–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 is a 2000s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 at 14.33m (47.0ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 is 2.08m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 displaces approximately 43% 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47, with an SA/D of 17.45 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 38.5% for the 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47, 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 300L 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 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 · 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47