1970 Irwin 34 vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 is 0.64m longer than the 1970 Irwin 34. The 1970 Irwin 34 displaces approximately 13% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 36, 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1970 Irwin 34 · 2015 ClubSwan 36