Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i measures 10.93m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.59m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 1.87m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. The 1992 Contest 42 displaces approximately 68% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 1992 Contest 42, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1992 Contest 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 42 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1992 Contest 42 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: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i · 1992 Contest 42