2005 Contest 46CS vs 1984 C&C 37+ — Comparison
1984 C&C 37+
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Contest 46CS | 1984 C&C 37+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 2005–2015 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Canada |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Contest 46CS and 1984 C&C 37+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1984 C&C 37+ is a 1980s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 2005 Contest 46CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1984 C&C 37+ was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the 2005 Contest 46CS measures 14.10m (46.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.15m, compared to the 1984 C&C 37+ at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.82m longer than the 1984 C&C 37+. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 105% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2005 Contest 46CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 C&C 37+, with an SA/D of 16.50 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Contest 46CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2005 Contest 46CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1984 C&C 37+ has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS and 41.4% for the 1984 C&C 37+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2005 Contest 46CS provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L of water capacity and 350L of fuel. The 1984 C&C 37+ offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 2005 Contest 46CS 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: 2005 Contest 46CS · 1984 C&C 37+