1990 Contest 40S vs Dufour 470 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Dufour 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 440 L (116.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Dufour 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 470 is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 470 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 470 at 14.23m (46.7ft) with a 4.39m beam. The Dufour 470 is 1.98m longer than the 1990 Contest 40S. The Dufour 470 displaces approximately 23% 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 470, with an SA/D of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 470 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 470 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 31.3% for the Dufour 470, 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 470 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L water and 220L 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 Dufour 470 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 470 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 470