2005 Contest 46CS vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Contest 46CS | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Ericson |
| Year | 2005–2015 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Contest 46CS and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2005 Contest 46CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 2005 Contest 46CS measures 14.10m (46.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.15m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.52m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 80% 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 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 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 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, 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 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L 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 Ericson 38