1969 O'Day 22 vs 1972 Contest 31 — Comparison
1972 Contest 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1969 O'Day 22 | 1972 Contest 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Contest |
| Year | 1969–1983 | 1972–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.72 m (18.8 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 318 kg (701 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.7 m² (191 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1969 O'Day 22 and 1972 Contest 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1969 O'Day 22 is a classic design by O'Day from USA, while the 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1969 O'Day 22 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The 1972 Contest 31 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1969 O'Day 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the 1972 Contest 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1972 Contest 31 is 2.74m longer than the 1969 O'Day 22. The 1972 Contest 31 displaces approximately 426% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1969 O'Day 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.87 and 17.7 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 1969 O'Day 22 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1969 O'Day 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.96). The 1972 Contest 31 has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 36.9% for the 1969 O'Day 22 and 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1969 O'Day 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 19L of water capacity and 15L 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 1969 O'Day 22 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1969 O'Day 22 · 1972 Contest 31