2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Irwin |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS measures 13.10m (43.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.08m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS is 1.52m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS displaces approximately 27% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 80.0 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.8) 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 32.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 160L 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS 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: 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS · 1985 Irwin 38