1977 Bristol 29.9 vs 1983 Irwin 32 — Comparison
1977 Bristol 29.9
1983 Irwin 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Bristol 29.9 | 1983 Irwin 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Irwin |
| Year | 1977–1984 | 1983–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.12 m (29.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 1983 Irwin 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1983 Irwin 32 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1983 Irwin 32 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 measures 9.12m (29.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1983 Irwin 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1983 Irwin 32 is 0.63m longer than the 1977 Bristol 29.9. The 1983 Irwin 32 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.41 and 39.7 m² of sail area. The 1983 Irwin 32, with an SA/D of 14.27 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1983 Irwin 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 40.9% for the 1983 Irwin 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1983 Irwin 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 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 1977 Bristol 29.9 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1983 Irwin 32 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.