Hanse 370 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 370 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Irwin |
| Year | 2004–2008 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.63 m (11.9 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 370 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 370 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Hanse 370 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Hanse 370 measures 11.40m (37.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.63m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 0.18m longer than the Hanse 370. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 370 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.98 and 60.0 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 Hanse 370 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 370 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Hanse 370 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 370 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 130L 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 Hanse 370 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: Hanse 370 · 1985 Irwin 38