BoatsContention 33 (Peterson)

Contention 33 (Peterson)

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1976

A Doug Peterson-designed masthead sloop that proved its competitive pedigree with a 3rd place finish at the 1979 3/4 Ton Cup

Designed by Doug Peterson, built by Southern Ocean Ltd.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 21 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 21
CoastalBluewater

1.98 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.98
LightHeavy

179 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 179
EasygoingPowered-up

17.8 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 17.8
TenderStiff

46% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 46%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
45.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.8
Displacement / length
179.3
Comfort ratio
21.4
Capsize screening
1.98
Hull speed
7.2 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1056
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1976
Designer
Doug Peterson
Builder
Southern Ocean Ltd

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Beneteau 32310.01 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop with a 1.45m draft and bulb keel, optimised for coastal cruising comfort since 2001
Dehler Yachts 3410.10 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR 3/4 ton racer-cruiser designed by Van de Stadt, offering a balanced performance pedigree in a comfortable hull
Salona 349.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA J&J-designed fractional sloop balancing a performance-oriented SA/D ratio with a stable, modern fin-and-bulb hull
Mirage 3310.21 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Robert Perry-designed masthead sloop offering a balanced, performance-oriented cruiser profile in a 33-foot hull
Albin Marine Nova 3310.06 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Peter Norlin-designed fractional sloop with a high ballast ratio, built in Sweden under various names for nearly two decades
Moody 33310.06 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA twin-keel cruiser featuring an aft cabin with a double berth accessible directly from the saloon

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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