1988 Contest 38 vs Beneteau First 36.7 — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | Beneteau First 36.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2002–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 120 L (31.7 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 Beneteau First 36.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The Beneteau First 36.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the Beneteau First 36.7 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.58m beam. The 1988 Contest 38 is 0.30m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The 1988 Contest 38 displaces approximately 33% 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 Beneteau First 36.7, with an SA/D of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 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 Beneteau First 36.7 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7, 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 Beneteau First 36.7 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L 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 Beneteau First 36.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 36.7 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.