1992 Amel Super Maramu vs 1985 Irwin 52 — Comparison
1992 Amel Super Maramu
1985 Irwin 52
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1992 Amel Super Maramu | 1985 Irwin 52 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Amel | Irwin |
| Year | 1992–2007 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Henri Amel | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) | 15.85 m (52.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.50 m (14.8 ft) | 4.42 m (14.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 17,000 kg (37,479 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 102.0 m² (1,098 ft²) | 104.0 m² (1,119 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 700 L (184.9 gal) | 568 L (150.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1992 Amel Super Maramu and 1985 Irwin 52 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1992 Amel Super Maramu is a 1990s design by Amel from France, while the 1985 Irwin 52 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1992 Amel Super Maramu was penned by Henri Amel. The 1985 Irwin 52 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1992 Amel Super Maramu measures 16.15m (53.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.50m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 52 at 15.85m (52.0ft) with a 4.42m beam. The 1992 Amel Super Maramu is 0.30m longer than the 1985 Irwin 52. The 1985 Irwin 52 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1992 Amel Super Maramu has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.67 and 102.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Irwin 52, with an SA/D of 15.83 and 104.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Irwin 52 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1992 Amel Super Maramu offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1985 Irwin 52 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the 1992 Amel Super Maramu and 36.8% for the 1985 Irwin 52, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1992 Amel Super Maramu provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 700L of water capacity and 500L of fuel. The 1985 Irwin 52 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 568L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Irwin 52 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 52 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Irwin 52 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.