1988 Contest 38 vs Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Beneteau |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 9.53 m (31.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 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) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 38 and Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 at 9.53m (31.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1988 Contest 38 is 2.02m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1. The 1988 Contest 38 displaces approximately 79% 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 Oceanis 30.1, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 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 Oceanis 30.1 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 31.4% for the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, 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 Oceanis 30.1 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 150L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Contest 38 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: 1988 Contest 38 · Beneteau Oceanis 30.1