1990 Contest 40S vs 2012 Sabre 48 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
2012 Sabre 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 2012 Sabre 48 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Sabre |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 2012 Sabre 48 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2012 Sabre 48 is a modern offering from Sabre from USA. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2012 Sabre 48 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2012 Sabre 48 at 14.63m (48.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2012 Sabre 48 is 2.38m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The 2012 Sabre 48 displaces approximately 50% 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 2012 Sabre 48, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Sabre 48 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 2012 Sabre 48 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 38.3% for the 2012 Sabre 48, 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 2012 Sabre 48 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 284L 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 2012 Sabre 48 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 Sabre 48 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 · 2012 Sabre 48