Dufour 44 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
Dufour 44
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 44 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Contest |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 44 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 44 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Dufour 44 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Dufour 44 measures 13.20m (43.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Dufour 44 is 2.23m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 46% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.57 and 82.0 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 Dufour 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1985 Contest 36 has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the Dufour 44 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L 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 Dufour 44 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 44 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: Dufour 44 · 1985 Contest 36