1990 Contest 40S vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i at 10.93m (35.9ft) with a 3.59m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 1.32m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 46% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1990 Contest 40S · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i