1990 Contest 40S vs Hanse 315 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Hanse 315 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hanse |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2010–2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.55 m (28.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 41.5 m² (447 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 85 L (22.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Hanse 315 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hanse 315 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hanse 315 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Hanse 315 at 9.65m (31.7ft) with a 3.15m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 2.60m longer than the Hanse 315. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 116% 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 Hanse 315, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 41.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hanse 315 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 Hanse 315 has a comfort ratio of 17.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 28.6% for the Hanse 315, 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 Hanse 315 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 85L 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 Hanse 315 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Contest 40S 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 · Hanse 315