1979 Islander 36 vs 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | X-Yachts |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Denmark |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Niels Jeppesen |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.73 m (41.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 is a modern offering from X-Yachts from Denmark. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 was designed by Niels Jeppesen.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 at 12.73m (41.8ft) with a 3.93m beam. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 is 1.76m longer than the 1979 Islander 36. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 m² of sail area. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42, with an SA/D of 17.52 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 has a comfort ratio of 18.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 36.7% for the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Islander 36 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 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 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 Islander 36 · 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42