1976 Albin Vega vs 1980 Contest 33 — Comparison
1976 Albin Vega
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1976 Albin Vega | 1980 Contest 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Albin | Contest |
| Year | 1976–1982 | 1980–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | Netherlands |
| Designer | Per Brohall | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.24 m (27.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.27 m (20.6 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.46 m (8.1 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.15 m (3.8 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,050 kg (2,315 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.5 m² (285 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1976 Albin Vega and 1980 Contest 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1976 Albin Vega is a 1970s design by Albin from Sweden, while the 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1976 Albin Vega was penned by Per Brohall. The 1980 Contest 33 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1976 Albin Vega measures 8.24m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.46m, compared to the 1980 Contest 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1980 Contest 33 is 1.82m longer than the 1976 Albin Vega. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 117% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1976 Albin Vega has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.02 and 26.5 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 1976 Albin Vega has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1976 Albin Vega offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1980 Contest 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1976 Albin Vega and 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1976 Albin Vega provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 50L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The 1980 Contest 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Albin Vega 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 1976 Albin Vega has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1980 Contest 33 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.