1980 Contest 33 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Irwin |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 1.52m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Contest 33 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.90 and 44.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Irwin 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Irwin 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Contest 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Contest 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1985 Irwin 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L 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 1985 Irwin 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Irwin 38 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: 1980 Contest 33 · 1985 Irwin 38