1970 Irwin 34 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
1970 Irwin 34
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Pearson |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1970 Irwin 34 is 1.83m longer than the 1975 Pearson 28. The 1970 Irwin 34 displaces approximately 85% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Irwin 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.73 and 47.9 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1970 Irwin 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Irwin 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Irwin 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Irwin 34 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 1970 Irwin 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1970 Irwin 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.