1975 Pearson 39 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
1975 Pearson 39
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Pearson 39 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Contest |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | William Shaw | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Pearson 39 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1975 Pearson 39 was penned by William Shaw. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1975 Pearson 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1975 Pearson 39 is 0.92m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The 1975 Pearson 39 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Pearson 39 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.83 and 60.8 m² of sail area. The 1985 Contest 36, with an SA/D of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1975 Pearson 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Pearson 39 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1985 Contest 36 has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Pearson 39 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1985 Contest 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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 39 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Pearson 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1975 Pearson 39 · 1985 Contest 36