2000 Catalina 470 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Catalina 470 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Irwin |
| Year | 2000–2008 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.6 m² (964 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Catalina 470 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Catalina 470 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 2000 Catalina 470 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 2000 Catalina 470 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2000 Catalina 470 is 2.75m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The 2000 Catalina 470 displaces approximately 76% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Catalina 470 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.33 and 89.6 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 2000 Catalina 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Catalina 470 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) 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 41.4% for the 2000 Catalina 470 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Catalina 470 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L 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 2000 Catalina 470 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2000 Catalina 470 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 2000 Catalina 470 · 1985 Irwin 38