1980 Contest 33 vs 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 11.35 m (37.2 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.93 m (32.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 6,680 kg (14,727 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 59.0 m² (635 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 at 11.35m (37.2ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 is 1.29m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 displaces approximately 28% 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 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37, with an SA/D of 16.90 and 59.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 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 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 29.9% for the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37, 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 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L 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 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.