1980 Contest 33 vs 1990 Island Packet 29 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
1990 Island Packet 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 1990 Island Packet 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Island Packet |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 1990–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bob Johnson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 1990 Island Packet 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1990 Island Packet 29 is a 1990s offering from Island Packet from USA. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1990 Island Packet 29 was designed by Bob Johnson.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1990 Island Packet 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1980 Contest 33 is 1.22m longer than the 1990 Island Packet 29. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 35% 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 1990 Island Packet 29, with an SA/D of 13.84 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1980 Contest 33 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 1990 Island Packet 29 has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 41.2% for the 1990 Island Packet 29, 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 1990 Island Packet 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 132L water and 76L 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 1980 Contest 33 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1980 Contest 33 · 1990 Island Packet 29