2004 Oyster 46 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Oyster 46 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Irwin |
| Year | 2004–2010 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Oyster 46 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 2004 Oyster 46 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 2004 Oyster 46 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 2.44m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 67% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2004 Oyster 46 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.97 and 90.0 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 2004 Oyster 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2004 Oyster 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2004 Oyster 46 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L 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 2004 Oyster 46 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2004 Oyster 46 · 1985 Irwin 38