Hanse 375 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 375 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Irwin |
| Year | 2009–2015 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.35 m (37.2 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.05 m (33.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 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 375 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 375 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Hanse 375 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Hanse 375 measures 11.35m (37.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 0.23m longer than the Hanse 375. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 375 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.21 and 62.0 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 375 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 375 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.7% for the Hanse 375 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 375 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 375 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 375 · 1985 Irwin 38