1979 Cal 39 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Cal 39 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cal | Irwin |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Cal 39 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s design by Cal from USA, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1979 Cal 39 was penned by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1979 Cal 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.66m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 0.31m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Cal 39 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Irwin 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Irwin 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Cal 39 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Cal 39 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1985 Irwin 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 1985 Irwin 38 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1979 Cal 39 · 1985 Irwin 38