1980 Contest 33 vs 2000 Sabre 386 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 2000 Sabre 386 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Sabre |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 60.5 m² (651 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) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 2000 Sabre 386 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2000 Sabre 386 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2000 Sabre 386 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2000 Sabre 386 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 2000 Sabre 386 is 1.52m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 2000 Sabre 386 displaces approximately 40% 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 2000 Sabre 386, with an SA/D of 16.40 and 60.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2000 Sabre 386 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 2000 Sabre 386 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 40.6% for the 2000 Sabre 386, 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 2000 Sabre 386 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L 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 2000 Sabre 386 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2000 Sabre 386 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 · 2000 Sabre 386