1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs 1980 Contest 33 — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | 1980 Contest 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1980–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 1980 Contest 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1980 Contest 33 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1980 Contest 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is 0.08m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 50.0 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1980 Contest 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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: 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 · 1980 Contest 33