1976 C&C 33 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1976 C&C 33 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | C&C Yachts | Cal |
| Year | 1976–1982 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Canada | USA |
| Designer | Cuthbertson & Cassian | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1976 C&C 33 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1976 C&C 33 is a 1970s design by C&C Yachts from Canada, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1976 C&C 33 was penned by Cuthbertson & Cassian. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1976 C&C 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 1.83m longer than the 1976 C&C 33. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 80% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1976 C&C 33 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.57 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 Cal 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1976 C&C 33 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 45.0% for the 1976 C&C 33 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1976 C&C 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 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 1979 Cal 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 1979 Cal 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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