1988 Contest 44CS vs Bavaria C42 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | Bavaria C42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Bavaria |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | cossutti yacht design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and Bavaria C42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Bavaria C42 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Bavaria C42 was designed by cossutti yacht design.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 44CS measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Bavaria C42 at 12.88m (42.3ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1988 Contest 44CS is 0.53m longer than the Bavaria C42. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 43% 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 Bavaria C42, with an SA/D of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria C42 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 Bavaria C42 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 30.9% for the Bavaria C42, 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 Bavaria C42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 200L 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 Bavaria C42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria C42 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: 1988 Contest 44CS · Bavaria C42