1970 Irwin 34 vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
1970 Irwin 34
1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1970 Irwin 34 is 0.15m longer than the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur.
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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L 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.