1972 Irwin 37 vs 1979 Westsail 43 — Comparison
1972 Irwin 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Irwin 37 | 1979 Westsail 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Westsail |
| Year | 1972–1978 | 1979–1984 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 13.11 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 14,515 kg (32,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.6 m² (620 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 568 L (150.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Irwin 37 and 1979 Westsail 43 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1972 Irwin 37 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1979 Westsail 43 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1972 Irwin 37 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1979 Westsail 43 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1972 Irwin 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1979 Westsail 43 at 13.11m (43.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 1979 Westsail 43 is 1.83m longer than the 1972 Irwin 37. The 1979 Westsail 43 displaces approximately 94% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Irwin 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.29 and 57.6 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westsail 43, with an SA/D of 13.31 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1972 Irwin 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Irwin 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1979 Westsail 43 has a comfort ratio of 27.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1972 Irwin 37 and 40.6% for the 1979 Westsail 43, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Irwin 37 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1979 Westsail 43 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 568L water and 284L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westsail 43 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 1972 Irwin 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Westsail 43 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: 1972 Irwin 37 · 1979 Westsail 43