1970 Irwin 34 vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 2.79m longer than the 1970 Irwin 34. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 111% 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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: 1970 Irwin 34 · 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II