Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Irwin |
| Year | 2019 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.75 m (38.5 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 measures 11.75m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 is 0.17m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.82 and 64.0 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 Odyssey 389 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) 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 30.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 160L 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 Odyssey 389 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: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 · 1985 Irwin 38