1992 Contest 42 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1992 Contest 42 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Valiant |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bob Perry |
| 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) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1992 Contest 42 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1992 Contest 42 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1992 Contest 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 1.52m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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: The 1992 Contest 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37