Hanse 315 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 315 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Irwin |
| Year | 2010–2016 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.55 m (28.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 41.5 m² (447 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 85 L (22.5 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 315 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 315 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Hanse 315 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Hanse 315 measures 9.65m (31.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.15m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 1.93m longer than the Hanse 315. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 78% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 315 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.20 and 41.5 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 315 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 315 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 28.6% for the Hanse 315 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 315 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L of water capacity and 85L 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 315 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 315 · 1985 Irwin 38