1990 Contest 40S vs Catalina 440 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Catalina 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Catalina |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.14 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 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) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 379 L (100.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Catalina 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Catalina 440 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Catalina 440 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Catalina 440 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.14m beam. The Catalina 440 is 1.16m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The Catalina 440 displaces approximately 20% 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 Catalina 440, with an SA/D of 16.96 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 440 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 Catalina 440 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 37.5% for the Catalina 440, 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 Catalina 440 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L water and 189L 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 Catalina 440 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 440 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 · Catalina 440