Bavaria 37 vs 1983 Irwin 32 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
1983 Irwin 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | 1983 Irwin 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Irwin |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1983–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and 1983 Irwin 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1983 Irwin 32 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The 1983 Irwin 32 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the 1983 Irwin 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Bavaria 37 is 1.63m longer than the 1983 Irwin 32. The Bavaria 37 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 37 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Irwin 32, with an SA/D of 14.27 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Bavaria 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1983 Irwin 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 40.9% for the 1983 Irwin 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 130L of fuel. The 1983 Irwin 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Irwin 32 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 Bavaria 37 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.