1980 Contest 33 vs 1993 Feeling 36 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 1993 Feeling 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Feeling |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 1993 Feeling 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1993 Feeling 36 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1993 Feeling 36 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1993 Feeling 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 1993 Feeling 36 is 0.91m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 1993 Feeling 36 displaces approximately 19% 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 1993 Feeling 36, with an SA/D of 15.96 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1993 Feeling 36 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 1993 Feeling 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 37.1% for the 1993 Feeling 36, 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 1993 Feeling 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L 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 1993 Feeling 36 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1980 Contest 33 · 1993 Feeling 36