1974 O'Day 23 vs 1983 Irwin 32 — Comparison
1974 O'Day 23
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 O'Day 23 | 1983 Irwin 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Irwin |
| Year | 1974–1983 | 1983–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.93 m (22.7 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 295 kg (650 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 O'Day 23 and 1983 Irwin 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 O'Day 23 is a 1970s design by O'Day from USA, while the 1983 Irwin 32 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1974 O'Day 23 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The 1983 Irwin 32 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1974 O'Day 23 measures 6.93m (22.7ft) overall with a beam of 2.24m, compared to the 1983 Irwin 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1983 Irwin 32 is 2.82m longer than the 1974 O'Day 23. The 1983 Irwin 32 displaces approximately 512% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 O'Day 23 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.38 and 17.5 m² of sail area. The 1983 Irwin 32, with an SA/D of 14.27 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1974 O'Day 23 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 O'Day 23 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 11.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.96). The 1983 Irwin 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the 1974 O'Day 23 and 40.9% for the 1983 Irwin 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 O'Day 23 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The 1983 Irwin 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Irwin 32 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 1974 O'Day 23 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1983 Irwin 32 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: 1974 O'Day 23 · 1983 Irwin 32