1990 Contest 40S vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 2.82m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 119% 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 15.74 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1990 Contest 40S 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L 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 1990 Contest 40S 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 · Dufour 310 Grand Large