1988 Westerly Corsair vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
1985 Irwin 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Westerly Corsair | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Irwin |
| Year | 1988–1994 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Westerly Corsair and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was penned by Ed Dubois. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1988 Westerly Corsair measures 11.00m (36.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 0.58m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Westerly Corsair has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.81 and 50.0 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 1988 Westerly Corsair offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Westerly Corsair provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L 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 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.