1974 C&C 35 Mk II vs 1980 Contest 33 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 C&C 35 Mk II | 1980 Contest 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | C&C Yachts | Contest |
| Year | 1974–1979 | 1980–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Canada | Netherlands |
| Designer | Cuthbertson & Cassian | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 C&C 35 Mk II and 1980 Contest 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 C&C 35 Mk II is a 1970s design by C&C Yachts from Canada, while the 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1974 C&C 35 Mk II was penned by Cuthbertson & Cassian. The 1980 Contest 33 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1974 C&C 35 Mk II measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1980 Contest 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1974 C&C 35 Mk II is 0.61m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 1974 C&C 35 Mk II displaces approximately 0% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 C&C 35 Mk II has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The 1980 Contest 33, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1974 C&C 35 Mk II has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 C&C 35 Mk II offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1980 Contest 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1974 C&C 35 Mk II and 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 C&C 35 Mk II provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1980 Contest 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Contest 33 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 1974 C&C 35 Mk II 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1974 C&C 35 Mk II · 1980 Contest 33