The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 vs Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 measures 37,1 feet overall (1982), giving it roughly 5,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 31,4 feet (1987). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 tips the scales at 12 787 lbs — 5 291 lbs less than the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 7 496 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 carries a rated maximum of 28 hp. Engine data for the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 carries 30 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 displaces 12 787 lbs — a 5 291-lb difference over the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 7 496 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,2 ft and 6,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 uses Sloop rigging. The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 has a documented auxiliary engine of 28 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,5 knots for the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 and 7,0 knots for the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 carries 79 gallons versus 50 gallons on the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 12 787 lbs displacement and 37 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 7 496 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.