1988 Contest 38 vs 1990 Westerly Oceanquest — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
1990 Westerly Oceanquest
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | 1990 Westerly Oceanquest |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Westerly |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 1990–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | UK |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 23 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 38 and 1990 Westerly Oceanquest represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1988 Contest 38 is 0.88m longer than the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest. The 1988 Contest 38 displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Contest 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.01 and 61.5 m² of sail area. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, with an SA/D of 14.32 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1988 Contest 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Contest 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 38.5% for the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Contest 38 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Contest 38 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 1988 Contest 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.