Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Irwin |
| Year | 2016 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 measures 10.34m (33.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.39m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 1.24m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) 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 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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: Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 · 1985 Irwin 38