1985 Contest 36 vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Contest 36 | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Moody |
| Year | 1985–1995 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | UK |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Contest 36 and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The 1985 Contest 36 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1985 Contest 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 1996 Moody 45 is 2.75m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The 1996 Moody 45 displaces approximately 92% 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 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1996 Moody 45 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 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36 and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, 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 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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 1996 Moody 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Moody 45 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1985 Contest 36 · 1996 Moody 45