Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200
1985 Irwin 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Irwin |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.92 m (29.3 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,900 kg (8,598 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 measures 9.72m (31.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 1.86m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 92% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.51 and 50.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 60L 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 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.