1984 MacGregor 26 vs 1980 Contest 33 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | 1980 Contest 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Contest |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1980–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and 1980 Contest 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The 1980 Contest 33 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1980 Contest 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1980 Contest 33 is 2.26m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 421% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 MacGregor 26 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.70 and 22.3 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 1984 MacGregor 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 MacGregor 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The 1980 Contest 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 MacGregor 26 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 15L 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 1984 MacGregor 26 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: 1984 MacGregor 26 · 1980 Contest 33