1970 Irwin 34 vs 1980 Contest 33 — Comparison
1970 Irwin 34
1980 Contest 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | 1980 Contest 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Contest |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 1980–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and 1980 Contest 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1980 Contest 33 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1980 Contest 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1970 Irwin 34 is 0.30m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 1970 Irwin 34 displaces approximately 5% 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 1980 Contest 33, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 44.0 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 1980 Contest 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33, 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 1980 Contest 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.