1977 Westerly Centaur vs 1983 Irwin 32 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | 1983 Irwin 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Irwin |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1983–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and 1983 Irwin 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1983 Irwin 32 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The 1983 Irwin 32 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the 1983 Irwin 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1983 Irwin 32 is 1.83m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The 1983 Irwin 32 displaces approximately 83% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Westerly Centaur has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.02 and 26.9 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 1983 Irwin 32 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Westerly Centaur offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1983 Irwin 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 40.9% for the 1983 Irwin 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Westerly Centaur provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1983 Irwin 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Westerly Centaur 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 1983 Irwin 32 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: 1977 Westerly Centaur · 1983 Irwin 32