1973 Islander 37 vs 1988 Moody 36 — Comparison
1973 Islander 37
1988 Moody 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Islander 37 | 1988 Moody 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Moody |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 1988–1993 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Islander 37 and 1988 Moody 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Islander 37 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the 1988 Moody 36 is a 1980s offering from Moody from UK. The 1973 Islander 37 was penned by Alan Gurney. The 1988 Moody 36 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1973 Islander 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1988 Moody 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1973 Islander 37 is 0.31m longer than the 1988 Moody 36. The 1988 Moody 36 displaces approximately 3% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Islander 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.77 and 54.5 m² of sail area. The 1988 Moody 36, with an SA/D of 15.29 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1973 Islander 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Islander 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1988 Moody 36 has a comfort ratio of 20.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1973 Islander 37 and 39.7% for the 1988 Moody 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Islander 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1988 Moody 36 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Islander 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 1973 Islander 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 1988 Moody 36 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: 1973 Islander 37 · 1988 Moody 36