1990 Contest 40S vs Bavaria 37 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Bavaria 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Bavaria 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Bavaria |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2000–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Bavaria 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Bavaria 37 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Bavaria 37 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Bavaria 37 at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.61m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 0.87m longer than the Bavaria 37. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Contest 40S has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.00 and 68.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 37, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Contest 40S offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Bavaria 37 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 31.9% for the Bavaria 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Contest 40S provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Bavaria 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Contest 40S 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 37 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: 1990 Contest 40S · Bavaria 37