Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Irwin |
| Year | 2019 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 measures 14.20m (46.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is 2.62m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 88.0 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 Loft 47 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 27.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 provides 12 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L 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 Loft 47 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 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: Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 · 1985 Irwin 38