Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2017 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 1.30m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 1992 Contest 42 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · 1992 Contest 42