1988 Contest 44CS vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 44CS measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 1988 Contest 44CS is 0.26m longer than the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Contest 44CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.86 and 85.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Contest 44CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Contest 44CS provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 300L of fuel. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Contest 44CS 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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: 1988 Contest 44CS · 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II