1981 Pearson 36 vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 36
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 36 | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Contest |
| Year | 1981–1985 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | William Shaw | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.6 m² (555 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 36 and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 36 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1981 Pearson 36 was penned by William Shaw. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 36 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 2.13m longer than the 1981 Pearson 36. The 1992 Contest 42 displaces approximately 70% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 51.6 m² of sail area. The 1992 Contest 42, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1992 Contest 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 40.7% for the 1981 Pearson 36 and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1992 Contest 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 42 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 1992 Contest 42 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1981 Pearson 36 · 1992 Contest 42