1988 Contest 38 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Hanse |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 38 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The Hanse 342 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the Hanse 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1988 Contest 38 is 1.25m longer than the Hanse 342. The 1988 Contest 38 displaces approximately 45% 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 Hanse 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 342 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 Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, 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 Hanse 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L 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 Hanse 342 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Contest 38 · Hanse 342