1985 Contest 36 vs 1984 O'Day 30 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Contest 36 | 1984 O'Day 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | O'Day |
| Year | 1985–1995 | 1984–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) | 1,452 kg (3,201 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Contest 36 and 1984 O'Day 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1984 O'Day 30 is a 1980s offering from O'Day from USA. The 1985 Contest 36 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1984 O'Day 30 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1985 Contest 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1984 O'Day 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1985 Contest 36 is 1.83m longer than the 1984 O'Day 30. The 1985 Contest 36 displaces approximately 79% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Contest 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 O'Day 30, with an SA/D of 15.49 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Contest 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Contest 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1984 O'Day 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36 and 40.0% for the 1984 O'Day 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Contest 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 1984 O'Day 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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 1985 Contest 36 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: 1985 Contest 36 · 1984 O'Day 30