1990 Contest 40S vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.75 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 at 11.75m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 0.50m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 19% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 30.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.