1988 Contest 38 vs 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 1999–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.17 m (36.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 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 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 is a 1990s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 at 11.17m (36.6ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1988 Contest 38 is 0.38m longer than the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37. The 1988 Contest 38 displaces approximately 19% 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 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, with an SA/D of 16.63 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 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 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 33.9% for the 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, 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 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 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 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.