1972 Contest 31 vs 1988 Najad 331 — Comparison
1972 Contest 31
1988 Najad 331
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Contest 31 | 1988 Najad 331 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Najad |
| Year | 1972–1982 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.18 m (10.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Contest 31 and 1988 Najad 331 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1988 Najad 331 is a 1980s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1972 Contest 31 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1988 Najad 331 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1972 Contest 31 measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1988 Najad 331 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.18m beam. The 1988 Najad 331 is 0.61m longer than the 1972 Contest 31. The 1988 Najad 331 displaces approximately 8% 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 1988 Najad 331, with an SA/D of 15.15 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Najad 331 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 1988 Najad 331 has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31 and 40.8% for the 1988 Najad 331, 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 1988 Najad 331 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 140L water and 80L 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 1988 Najad 331 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.