1998 Catalina 42 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
1998 Catalina 42
1985 Irwin 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Catalina 42 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Irwin |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.5 m² (780 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 | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Catalina 42 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Catalina 42 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1998 Catalina 42 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1998 Catalina 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1998 Catalina 42 is 1.22m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The 1998 Catalina 42 displaces approximately 27% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Catalina 42 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 72.5 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 1998 Catalina 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Catalina 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.5% for the 1998 Catalina 42 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Catalina 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 303L 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 1998 Catalina 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Catalina 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.