1996 Contest 48CS vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 2.58m longer than the Dufour 40. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 92% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Contest 48CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 98.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Contest 48CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Contest 48CS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Contest 48CS 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 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: 1996 Contest 48CS · Dufour 40