1992 Contest 42 vs 1983 Tartan 37 — Comparison
1992 Contest 42
1983 Tartan 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1992 Contest 42 | 1983 Tartan 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Tartan |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1983–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) | 7,258 kg (16,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,084 kg (6,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1992 Contest 42 and 1983 Tartan 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1983 Tartan 37 is a 1980s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1992 Contest 42 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1983 Tartan 37 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the 1992 Contest 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 1983 Tartan 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 1.52m longer than the 1983 Tartan 37. The 1992 Contest 42 displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1992 Contest 42 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.20 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Tartan 37, with an SA/D of 15.45 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1992 Contest 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1992 Contest 42 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1983 Tartan 37 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42 and 42.5% for the 1983 Tartan 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1992 Contest 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 1983 Tartan 37 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 42 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 1992 Contest 42 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: 1992 Contest 42 · 1983 Tartan 37