Hanse 445 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 445 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Contest |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,100 kg (22,267 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 87.0 m² (937 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 | 370 L (97.7 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 445 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 445 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Hanse 445 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Hanse 445 measures 13.50m (44.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Hanse 445 is 2.53m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The Hanse 445 displaces approximately 55% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 445 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.91 and 87.0 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 Hanse 445 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 445 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.1) 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 31.7% for the Hanse 445 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 445 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 370L 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 Hanse 445 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 445 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: Hanse 445 · 1985 Contest 36