1990 Contest 40S vs Hanse 388 — Comparison
1990 Contest 40S
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Contest 40S | Hanse 388 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hanse |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.73 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.5 m² (737 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Contest 40S and Hanse 388 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Contest 40S is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hanse 388 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1990 Contest 40S was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hanse 388 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1990 Contest 40S measures 12.25m (40.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Hanse 388 at 11.40m (37.4ft) with a 3.73m beam. The 1990 Contest 40S is 0.85m longer than the Hanse 388. The 1990 Contest 40S displaces approximately 26% 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 Hanse 388, with an SA/D of 17.17 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 388 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 Hanse 388 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Contest 40S and 30.6% for the Hanse 388, 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 Hanse 388 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 140L 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 Hanse 388 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 · Hanse 388