1972 Irwin 37 vs 1981 Pearson 424 — Comparison
1972 Irwin 37
1981 Pearson 424
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Irwin 37 | 1981 Pearson 424 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Pearson |
| Year | 1972–1978 | 1981–1985 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.6 m² (620 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Irwin 37 and 1981 Pearson 424 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1972 Irwin 37 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1981 Pearson 424 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1972 Irwin 37 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1981 Pearson 424 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1972 Irwin 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1981 Pearson 424 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1981 Pearson 424 is 1.52m longer than the 1972 Irwin 37. The 1981 Pearson 424 displaces approximately 27% 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 1981 Pearson 424, with an SA/D of 16.28 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1981 Pearson 424 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 1981 Pearson 424 has a comfort ratio of 20.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1972 Irwin 37 and 38.1% for the 1981 Pearson 424, 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 1981 Pearson 424 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Irwin 37 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 1981 Pearson 424 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1972 Irwin 37 · 1981 Pearson 424