The Contest 44 Classic, a centre-cockpit masthead sloop, was designed by Dick Zaal and built in Holland by Conyplex.
Many thanks to Mike Price for this fine pic of 'Tumbledown Wind' as she crosses the ARC finishing line off St Lucia.
Two versions of the Contest 44 were produced - the 44 Classic and the 44CS. The CS was a later production run of 18 vessels built between 2000 and 2006.
Underwater Profile: Fin Keel & Skeg-hung Rudder
Hull Material: GRP
Length Overall: 44'0" (13.41 m)
Waterline Length: 38' 3" (11.66 m)
Beam: 13'1" (3.99 m)
Draft: 6' 2" (1.88 m)
Rig Type: Masthead Sloop
Displacement: 39,062 lb (17,718 kg)
Designer: Dick Zaal
Builder: Conyplex (Holland)
Year First Built: 1997
Year Last Built: 2000
Number Built: 18
Owners Association: Contest Yacht Owners Club
1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 13.8
2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 33.9
3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 312
4. Comfort Ratio: 49.2
5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6
1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 13.8 suggests that the Contest 44 Classic will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.
2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 33.9 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Contest 44 Classic will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.
3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 312, tells us the Contest 44 Classic is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.
4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 49.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Contest 44 Classic in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.
5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a Contest 44 Classic would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.
Jun 07, 23 01:51 AM
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