Beneteau First 40 vs 1972 Contest 31 — Comparison
1972 Contest 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 1972 Contest 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1972–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 5 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 1972 Contest 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1972 Contest 31 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 1972 Contest 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 2.71m longer than the 1972 Contest 31. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The 1972 Contest 31, with an SA/D of 14.65 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1972 Contest 31 has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 1972 Contest 31 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Contest 31 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 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 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 40 · 1972 Contest 31