1979 Peterson 44 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Irwin |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 1.83m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 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 1979 Peterson 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 1985 Irwin 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Irwin 38 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 Peterson 44 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 Peterson 44 · 1985 Irwin 38