2016 Dehler 30 OD vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2016 Dehler 30 OD | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Irwin |
| Year | 2016 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.60 m (28.2 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,700 kg (8,157 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 35 L (9.2 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2016 Dehler 30 OD and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD is a modern design by Dehler from Germany, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 2016 Dehler 30 OD measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.98m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 2.13m longer than the 2016 Dehler 30 OD. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 102% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2016 Dehler 30 OD has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.54 and 46.0 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2016 Dehler 30 OD offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) 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 36.5% for the 2016 Dehler 30 OD and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2016 Dehler 30 OD provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L of water capacity and 35L 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD 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: 2016 Dehler 30 OD · 1985 Irwin 38