1990 Contest 40S vs Dufour 375 Grand Large — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Dufour 375 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Dufour 375 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.05 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 240 L (63.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Dufour 375 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 375 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 375 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 375 Grand Large at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.65m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 0.87m longer than the Dufour 375 Grand Large. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 33% 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 375 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.27 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 375 Grand Large 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 375 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 30.9% for the Dufour 375 Grand Large, 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 375 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 240L water and 130L 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 375 Grand Large 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.