1979 Irwin 25 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
1979 Irwin 25
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Irwin 25 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Hanse |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.8 m² (278 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Irwin 25 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Irwin 25 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1979 Irwin 25 was penned by Ted Irwin. The Hanse 342 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1979 Irwin 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Hanse 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Hanse 342 is 2.68m longer than the 1979 Irwin 25. The Hanse 342 displaces approximately 160% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Irwin 25 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.30 and 25.8 m² of sail area. The Hanse 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 342 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Irwin 25 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1979 Irwin 25 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Irwin 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hanse 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Irwin 25 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 Hanse 342 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 342 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: 1979 Irwin 25 · Hanse 342