1985 Contest 36 vs 2000 Sabre 386 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Contest 36 | 2000 Sabre 386 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Sabre |
| Year | 1985–1995 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) | 60.5 m² (651 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Contest 36 and 2000 Sabre 386 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2000 Sabre 386 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1985 Contest 36 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2000 Sabre 386 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1985 Contest 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 2000 Sabre 386 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 2000 Sabre 386 is 0.61m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The 2000 Sabre 386 displaces approximately 12% 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 2000 Sabre 386, with an SA/D of 16.40 and 60.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2000 Sabre 386 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 2000 Sabre 386 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36 and 40.6% for the 2000 Sabre 386, 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 2000 Sabre 386 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L 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 2000 Sabre 386 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2000 Sabre 386 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 · 2000 Sabre 386