1972 Irwin 37 vs 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 — Comparison
1972 Irwin 37
1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Irwin 37 | 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1972–1978 | 1992–2000 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 13.11 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 11,793 kg (25,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.6 m² (620 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Irwin 37 and 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1972 Irwin 37 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 is a 1990s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1972 Irwin 37 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the 1972 Irwin 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 at 13.11m (43.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 is 1.83m longer than the 1972 Irwin 37. The 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Irwin 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.29 and 57.6 m² of sail area. The 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43, with an SA/D of 16.08 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Irwin 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1972 Irwin 37 and 40.4% for the 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Irwin 37 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Irwin 37 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 1992 Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 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.