1979 Irwin 25 vs 1978 Sabre 30 — Comparison
1979 Irwin 25
1978 Sabre 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Irwin 25 | 1978 Sabre 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Sabre |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.8 m² (278 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Irwin 25 and 1978 Sabre 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Irwin 25 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1979 Irwin 25 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1978 Sabre 30 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the 1979 Irwin 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1978 Sabre 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 2.97m beam. The 1978 Sabre 30 is 1.52m longer than the 1979 Irwin 25. The 1978 Sabre 30 displaces approximately 78% 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 1978 Sabre 30, with an SA/D of 15.92 and 37.0 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 1978 Sabre 30 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1979 Irwin 25 and 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30, 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 1978 Sabre 30 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Sabre 30 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: 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 Irwin 25 · 1978 Sabre 30