1975 Pearson 39 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
1975 Pearson 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Pearson 39 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Contest |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | William Shaw | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Pearson 39 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1975 Pearson 39 was penned by William Shaw. The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.21m longer than the 1975 Pearson 39. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 75% 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 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 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 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, 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 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 39 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: 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: 1975 Pearson 39 · 2005 Contest 46CS