1972 Contest 31 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
1972 Contest 31
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Contest 31 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Pearson |
| Year | 1972–1982 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Contest 31 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1972 Contest 31 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1972 Contest 31 measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1972 Contest 31 is 0.92m longer than the 1975 Pearson 28. The 1972 Contest 31 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Contest 31 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.65 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1975 Pearson 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Contest 31 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Contest 31 provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Contest 31 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 1975 Pearson 28 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1972 Contest 31 · 1975 Pearson 28