Hunter 450 vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 450 | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Contest |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 341 L (90.1 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 450 and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 450 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Hunter 450 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Hunter 450 measures 13.72m (45.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The Hunter 450 is 0.92m longer than the 1992 Contest 42. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 450 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of sail area. The 1992 Contest 42, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 450 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Hunter 450 and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 450 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1992 Contest 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 42 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 Hunter 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 450 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: Hunter 450 · 1992 Contest 42