1980 Contest 33 vs 2005 Dehler 34 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
2005 Dehler 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 2005 Dehler 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dehler |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 2005–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 2005 Dehler 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2005 Dehler 34 is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2005 Dehler 34 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2005 Dehler 34 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 2005 Dehler 34 is 0.24m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 8% 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 2005 Dehler 34, with an SA/D of 17.85 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Dehler 34 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 2005 Dehler 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 35.4% for the 2005 Dehler 34, 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 2005 Dehler 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L 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 2005 Dehler 34 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.