2005 Amel 54 vs 1985 Irwin 52 — Comparison
2005 Amel 54
1985 Irwin 52
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Amel 54 | 1985 Irwin 52 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Amel | Irwin |
| Year | 2005–2017 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Henri Amel | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.50 m (54.1 ft) | 15.85 m (52.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.68 m (15.4 ft) | 4.42 m (14.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 117.0 m² (1,259 ft²) | 104.0 m² (1,119 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 800 L (211.3 gal) | 568 L (150.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Amel 54 and 1985 Irwin 52 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 2005 Amel 54 is a 2000s design by Amel from France, while the 1985 Irwin 52 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 2005 Amel 54 was penned by Henri Amel. The 1985 Irwin 52 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 2005 Amel 54 measures 16.50m (54.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.68m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 52 at 15.85m (52.0ft) with a 4.42m beam. The 2005 Amel 54 is 0.65m longer than the 1985 Irwin 52. The 2005 Amel 54 displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2005 Amel 54 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.13 and 117.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Irwin 52, with an SA/D of 15.83 and 104.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Amel 54 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2005 Amel 54 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1985 Irwin 52 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 2005 Amel 54 and 36.8% for the 1985 Irwin 52, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2005 Amel 54 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 800L of water capacity and 600L of fuel. The 1985 Irwin 52 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 568L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Irwin 52 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 2005 Amel 54 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 52 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.