Sailboat Comparisons

[Jim_ME]

Starting a new thread, as you suggested, Craig, rather than continue to clutter up Kurt's excellent thread reporting his IP38 delivery. If any moderator would like to also transfer some of the previous comparisons to this thread, I'm fine with that.

I had already been working on a comparison of the IP38 and P424, so will go ahead and post that, and then do the P26 Ariel, as you mentioned...

I was surprised at how close the IP38 and P424 performance specs are in general. Similar waterline length, displacement, beam, sail area, etc. To get the same size platform to carry the sail area, the IP38 has a bowsprit whereas the P424 bow looks stretched out to accomplish the same thing with its hull (and provides space for a anchor chain/rode locker plus V-berth forward). In the chart, the IP38 "LOA" is given as 38.28 feet, when it should technically be called its LOD, Length on Deck.

I do like the P424's dedicated navigation station/chart table and wet locker near the companionway, both separate from the main salon area. On a passage where crew would likely be sleeping in the main salon settee berths, it seems less likely that you would wake them when doing nav work. I could imagine even adding a curtain to shield the salon from any nav light/noise. The angled nav. station on the IP38 seems like it might be disorienting, not being aligned with any of the boats major axes?

[Jim_ME]

Craig, Here's the P424 vs Ariel 26 images and chart.

Some additional (and some slightly different) specs from sailboatdata...

Pearson Ariel 26

Hull Type:  Long Keel    
Rig Type:     Masthead Sloop
LOA:     25.58' / 7.80m    
LWL:     18.50' / 5.64m
Beam:     8.00' / 2.44m    
Listed SA: 305 ft2 / 28.33 m2
Draft      3.70' / 1.13m       
Disp.     5700 lbs./ 2586 kgs.    
Ballast:     2500 lbs. / 1134 kgs.
SA/Disp.:     15.34    
Bal./Disp.: 43.85%    
Disp./Len.:401.89
Designer: Carl Alberg


Pearson 424 Cutter

Hull Type: Fin with rudder on skeg    
Rig Type:     Cutter
LOA:     42.33' / 12.90m    
LWL:     33.67' / 10.26m
Beam:     13.00' / 3.96m    
Listed SA: 728 ft2 / 67.63 m2
Draft      5.25' / 1.60m       
Disp.     22000 lbs./ 9979 kgs.    
Ballast:     7600 lbs. / 3447 kgs.
SA/Disp.:     14.89    
Bal./Disp.: 34.54%    
Disp./Len.:257.30
Designer: William Shaw

[CharlieJ]

Interesting. Run a chart of the Ariel vs my Meridian 25-pretty close :D

The Meridian  is a smaller boat, particularly volume wise- that extra foot of beam carries a LOT of room inside.

I've ALWAYS loved the Ariel by the way ;)

[Tim]

Interesting. Run a chart of the Ariel vs my Meridian 25-pretty close :D

The Meridian  is a smaller boat, particularly volume wise- that extra foot of beam carries a LOT of room inside.

I've ALWAYS loved the Ariel by the way ;)

Yeh yeh, but the shear line............. ;D

[Jim_ME]

Rhodes Meridian 25

Hull Type: Long Keel
Rig Type:     Masthead Sloop
LOA:     24.75' / 7.54m    
LWL:     17.50' / 5.33m
Beam:     7.00' / 2.13m    
Listed SA:  277 ft2 / 25.73 m2
Draft      3.25' / 0.99m    
Disp.     5070 lbs./ 2300 kgs.    
Ballast:     2491 lbs. / 1130 kgs.
SA/Disp.:     15.06    
Bal./Disp.: 49.13%    
Disp./Len.:289.71
Designer:  Phillip Rhodes
Builder:     G. de Vries Lentch Jr./Seafarer Yachts
Construct.: FG    
Bal. type:  Cast Iron


Pearson Ariel 26(Updated from builder brochure)

Hull Type:  Long Keel
Rig Type:     Masthead Sloop
LOA:     25.58' / 7.80m
LWL:     18.50' / 5.64m
Beam:     8.00' / 2.44m    
Listed SA: 307 ft2 / 28.33 m2
Draft:      3.75' / 1.13m       
Disp.     5120 lbs./ 2586 kgs.
Ballast:     2500 lbs. / 1134 kgs.
SA/Disp.:     16.68    
Bal./Disp.: 48.83%    
Disp./Len.:276.76
Designer:  Carl Alberg
Builder:     Pearson Yachts (USA)
Construct.: FG    
Bal. type:   Lead
First Built:  1962    Last Built: 1966   # Built: 440

[CharlieJ]

Interesting. Run a chart of the Ariel vs my Meridian 25-pretty close :D

The Meridian  is a smaller boat, particularly volume wise- that extra foot of beam carries a LOT of room inside.

I've ALWAYS loved the Ariel by the way ;)

Yeh yeh, but the shear line............. ;D

Well, Yeah!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[CharlieJ]

Thanks Jim. You can see how close they are. One point is in error- the ballast in the Meridian is cast iron not lead. Also the Disp/length seems a bit off.

I'd not be unhappy with either design

[Jim_ME]

Thank you, Charlie. I've updated those items in the text specs, but for some reason, the chart (which was automatically generated) has the Disp to LWL wrong, even though the LWL length and Displacement figures are correct.

I, too, appreciated how similar the designs are. Just noticed that Rhodes has the rudder post angle closer to vertical, which I understand is more efficient. Can see how Rhodes gave his design more sheer curve (as Tim wrote).

Yes, both nice designs.  :)