Beneteau First 29 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1985 Contest 36 is 2.07m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1985 Contest 36 displaces approximately 110% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 1985 Contest 36, with an SA/D of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1985 Contest 36 has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1985 Contest 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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 First 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Contest 36 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: Beneteau First 29 · 1985 Contest 36