1990 Contest 40S vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
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 Fast 3200 at 9.72m (31.9ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 2.53m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 133% 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 Fast 3200, with an SA/D of 20.51 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 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 Fast 3200 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, 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 Fast 3200 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 60L 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 Fast 3200 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 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200