Beneteau First 35 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Irwin |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 0.90m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 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 Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L 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 Beneteau First 35 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 38 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: Beneteau First 35 · 1985 Irwin 38