Beneteau First 24 vs 1972 Contest 31 — Comparison
Beneteau First 24
1972 Contest 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | 1972 Contest 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1972–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and 1972 Contest 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1972 Contest 31 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1972 Contest 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1972 Contest 31 is 2.25m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1972 Contest 31 displaces approximately 224% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 24 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.93 and 27.0 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 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The 1972 Contest 31 has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L of water capacity and 20L 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1972 Contest 31 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.