1979 Irwin 25 vs 1972 Irwin 37 — Comparison
1979 Irwin 25
1972 Irwin 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Irwin 25 | 1972 Irwin 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Irwin |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.8 m² (278 ft²) | 57.6 m² (620 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Irwin 25 and 1972 Irwin 37 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1979 Irwin 25 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1972 Irwin 37 is a 1970s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1979 Irwin 25 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1972 Irwin 37 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1979 Irwin 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1972 Irwin 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1972 Irwin 37 is 3.66m longer than the 1979 Irwin 25. The 1972 Irwin 37 displaces approximately 267% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Irwin 25 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.30 and 25.8 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 1979 Irwin 25 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Irwin 25 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1972 Irwin 37 has a comfort ratio of 24.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1979 Irwin 25 and 39.4% for the 1972 Irwin 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Irwin 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 1972 Irwin 37 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L 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 1979 Irwin 25 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.