1992 Contest 42 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1992 Contest 42
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1992 Contest 42 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Ericson |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 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 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1992 Contest 42 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 1992 Contest 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 1.22m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 1992 Contest 42 displaces approximately 39% 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 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 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 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, 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 1984 Ericson 38 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1992 Contest 42 · 1984 Ericson 38