1990 J/40 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 J/40 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | J/Boats | Contest |
| Year | 1990–1995 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Rod Johnstone | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.5 m² (780 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 J/40 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 J/40 is a 1990s design by J/Boats from USA, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1990 J/40 was penned by Rod Johnstone. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1990 J/40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1990 J/40 is 1.33m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The 1990 J/40 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 J/40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.87 and 72.5 m² of sail area. The 1985 Contest 36, with an SA/D of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1990 J/40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 J/40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1985 Contest 36 has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 44.1% for the 1990 J/40 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 J/40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1985 Contest 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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 J/40 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1990 J/40 · 1985 Contest 36