1985 Contest 36 vs 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
1988 Pacific Seacraft 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Contest 36 | 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1985–1995 | 1988–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) | 40.5 m² (436 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Contest 36 and 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1985 Contest 36 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1985 Contest 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1985 Contest 36 is 1.52m longer than the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31. The 1985 Contest 36 displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Contest 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31, with an SA/D of 14.09 and 40.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1985 Contest 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Contest 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 has a comfort ratio of 26.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36 and 43.6% for the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Contest 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 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 1985 Contest 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Contest 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.