1973 Islander 37 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
1973 Islander 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Islander 37 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Contest |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Islander 37 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Islander 37 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1973 Islander 37 was penned by Alan Gurney. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1973 Islander 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.82m longer than the 1973 Islander 37. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 105% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Islander 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.77 and 54.5 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Contest 46CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Islander 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1973 Islander 37 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Islander 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Islander 37 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 2005 Contest 46CS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Contest 46CS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1973 Islander 37 · 2005 Contest 46CS