Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
1985 Irwin 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Irwin |
| Year | 2019 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.53 m (31.3 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 measures 9.53m (31.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 2.05m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 74% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.52 and 43.0 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 30.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.4) 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 31.4% for the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 150L of water capacity and 100L 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 30.1 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.