1979 Peterson 44 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Contest |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 0.69m longer than the 1979 Peterson 44. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 Peterson 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 1979 Peterson 44 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: 1979 Peterson 44 · 2005 Contest 46CS