1990 Contest 40S vs Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 420 L (111.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is 2.35m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 displaces approximately 21% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, with an SA/D of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has a comfort ratio of 12.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L water and 200L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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 · Beneteau Oceanis 46.1