2005 Contest 46CS vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Contest 46CS | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Valiant |
| Year | 2005–2015 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Bob Perry |
| 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) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Contest 46CS and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 2005 Contest 46CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 2005 Contest 46CS measures 14.10m (46.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.15m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.82m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 86% 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 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 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 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 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 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: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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: 2005 Contest 46CS · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37