Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs 1980 Contest 33 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | 1980 Contest 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Contest |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1980–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 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 | 15 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 1980 Contest 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1980 Contest 33 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1980 Contest 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1980 Contest 33 is 0.34m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1980 Contest 33 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.51 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1980 Contest 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 60L 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 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: Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 · 1980 Contest 33