1972 Contest 31 vs 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i — Comparison
1972 Contest 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Contest 31 | 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1972–1982 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Contest 31 and 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1972 Contest 31 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1972 Contest 31 measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i at 9.30m (30.5ft) with a 2.98m beam. The 1972 Contest 31 is 0.15m longer than the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i. The 1972 Contest 31 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Contest 31 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.65 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, with an SA/D of 14.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Contest 31 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31 and 27.5% for the 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Contest 31 provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L 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 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1972 Contest 31 · 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i