1975 Westsail 32 vs 1972 Irwin 37 — Comparison
1975 Westsail 32
1972 Irwin 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Westsail 32 | 1972 Irwin 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Irwin |
| Year | 1975–1985 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Cutter | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.2 m² (530 ft²) | 57.6 m² (620 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Westsail 32 and 1972 Irwin 37 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1975 Westsail 32 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1972 Irwin 37 is a 1970s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1975 Westsail 32 was penned by William Crealock. The 1972 Irwin 37 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1975 Westsail 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1972 Irwin 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1972 Irwin 37 is 1.53m longer than the 1975 Westsail 32. The 1975 Westsail 32 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Westsail 32 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.33 and 49.2 m² of sail area. The 1972 Irwin 37, with an SA/D of 15.29 and 57.6 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1972 Irwin 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Westsail 32 offers a comfortable motion suitable for extended cruising (comfort ratio: 33.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.65). The 1972 Irwin 37 has a comfort ratio of 24.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Westsail 32 and 39.4% for the 1972 Irwin 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Westsail 32 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1972 Irwin 37 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Westsail 32 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 1972 Irwin 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1972 Irwin 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.