1972 Islander 24 vs 1980 Contest 33 — Comparison
1972 Islander 24
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Islander 24 | 1980 Contest 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Contest |
| Year | 1972–1977 | 1980–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.36 m (7.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 635 kg (1,400 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Islander 24 and 1980 Contest 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Islander 24 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1972 Islander 24 was penned by Alan Gurney. The 1980 Contest 33 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1972 Islander 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.36m, compared to the 1980 Contest 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1980 Contest 33 is 2.74m longer than the 1972 Islander 24. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 227% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Islander 24 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 23.5 m² of sail area. The 1980 Contest 33, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1972 Islander 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Islander 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1980 Contest 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Islander 24 and 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Islander 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 1980 Contest 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Contest 33 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 1972 Islander 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 1980 Contest 33 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: 1972 Islander 24 · 1980 Contest 33