Beneteau First 33.7 vs 1983 Irwin 32 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | 1983 Irwin 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Irwin |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1983–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and 1983 Irwin 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1983 Irwin 32 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1983 Irwin 32 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the 1983 Irwin 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 0.29m longer than the 1983 Irwin 32. The 1983 Irwin 32 displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 33.7 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.92 and 55.0 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 33.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1983 Irwin 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 40.9% for the 1983 Irwin 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 33.7 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L 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 Beneteau First 33.7 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: Beneteau First 33.7 · 1983 Irwin 32