1972 Irwin 37 vs 1982 Amel Maramu — Comparison
1972 Irwin 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Irwin 37 | 1982 Amel Maramu |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Amel |
| Year | 1972–1978 | 1982–1992 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Henri Amel |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.6 m² (620 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 60 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Irwin 37 and 1982 Amel Maramu represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1972 Irwin 37 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the 1982 Amel Maramu is a 1980s offering from Amel from France. The 1972 Irwin 37 was penned by Ted Irwin. The 1982 Amel Maramu was designed by Henri Amel.
In terms of size, the 1972 Irwin 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1982 Amel Maramu at 14.00m (45.9ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1982 Amel Maramu is 2.72m longer than the 1972 Irwin 37. The 1982 Amel Maramu displaces approximately 87% 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 1982 Amel Maramu, with an SA/D of 15.39 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1982 Amel Maramu 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 1982 Amel Maramu has a comfort ratio of 23.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1972 Irwin 37 and 35.7% for the 1982 Amel Maramu, 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 1982 Amel Maramu offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 300L 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 1982 Amel Maramu 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 · 1982 Amel Maramu