1990 Contest 40S vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Finland |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 1.25m longer than the 2015 ClubSwan 36. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 89% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 36, 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 · 2015 ClubSwan 36