1985 Contest 36 vs 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Contest 36 | 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1985–1995 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Contest 36 and 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1985 Contest 36 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1985 Contest 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 at 13.10m (43.0ft) with a 4.08m beam. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 is 2.13m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 displaces approximately 42% 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 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, with an SA/D of 18.05 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 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 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36 and 32.6% for the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, 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 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 150L 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 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 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 · 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43