1980 Contest 33 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Pearson |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1980 Contest 33 is 1.53m longer than the 1975 Pearson 28. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 76% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Contest 33 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.90 and 44.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1980 Contest 33 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Contest 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Contest 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L 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 1980 Contest 33 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1980 Contest 33 · 1975 Pearson 28