1980 Contest 33 vs 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
2013 Beneteau Figaro 3
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 3,450 kg (7,606 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 2 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 was designed by VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 at 10.10m (33.1ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is 0.04m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 51% 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, with an SA/D of 28.93 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has a comfort ratio of 11.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.90. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 43.5% for the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 60L 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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.