We are moving from the power boat world into the sailing world. We have looked at several boats and are currently interested in a 1980 52 Irwin. Any feed back on these boats would be appreciated. Capt'n Harry
Irwin 52
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Kind of subjective
Depends on what you want to do with it. On the plus side, they are huge inside for a sailboat so your transition from power will be easier. It always seemed to me that Irwins were designed as liveaboard boats. On the neg side, their sailing ability and characteristics are not as good as others you could consider in the same price/size range. I don't like to generalize but most are notorious for leaks and a poorly maintained Irwin will likely have a lot of rot. Whatever you decide, sailing is more fun than power boating... Don
Depends on what you want to do with it. On the plus side, they are huge inside for a sailboat so your transition from power will be easier. It always seemed to me that Irwins were designed as liveaboard boats. On the neg side, their sailing ability and characteristics are not as good as others you could consider in the same price/size range. I don't like to generalize but most are notorious for leaks and a poorly maintained Irwin will likely have a lot of rot. Whatever you decide, sailing is more fun than power boating... Don
Seems to me,
their hulls are weak too. No grid, little glass, poor joiner work, lotsa hull flex, poor pointing ability, poor. But I could be wrong.
their hulls are weak too. No grid, little glass, poor joiner work, lotsa hull flex, poor pointing ability, poor. But I could be wrong.
and size is relevant
don't just go by price and cabin amenities, a sailboat can be more work than a powerboat to operate, and needs enough people and/or gear (as opposed to horsepower) to handle tasks.
don't just go by price and cabin amenities, a sailboat can be more work than a powerboat to operate, and needs enough people and/or gear (as opposed to horsepower) to handle tasks.
Go to Practical Sailor
If you go to the Practical Sailor web site you can purchase (download) a review they did some years ago on an Irwin, I think the 38 or 35. But their comments about Irwins in general would keep me from every buying one. Things like the stanchions not being through bolted but just screwed into the deck. Yikes! Still, if you want it to live aboard, and only do protected coastal cruising, it sure would be alot of volume for the money. Steve Christensen
If you go to the Practical Sailor web site you can purchase (download) a review they did some years ago on an Irwin, I think the 38 or 35. But their comments about Irwins in general would keep me from every buying one. Things like the stanchions not being through bolted but just screwed into the deck. Yikes! Still, if you want it to live aboard, and only do protected coastal cruising, it sure would be alot of volume for the money. Steve Christensen
Surveyed a 32 recently
Before we bought our Catalina 30 we were looking at a Citation 32 and edcided to have it surveyed. Our surveyor was very experienced and knowledgeable of the Irwin line. During the survey it was noted that the side of the vessel appeared to have flexed either from a collision or a drop. The survey and sale stopped at that point, but I learned of the issues with Irwin's relative to thin hulls and common flexing. Cap' we adore that 38 foot amid-ship Mark II model with the inline queen berth in the aft, and praise the interior space and beauty of the 52. They are beautiful vessels, but I am not sure about the construction, quality of materials and overall attributes of the Irwin. I think as a coastal liveaboard they are roomy and well layed out, so you have a challenge on your hands to research (I have seen an Irwin owners site on the internet) whichever 52 you come across. I wish you success in your searches for certainly in the esthetic sense, you are looking at a beautiful vessel. Regards Bob
Before we bought our Catalina 30 we were looking at a Citation 32 and edcided to have it surveyed. Our surveyor was very experienced and knowledgeable of the Irwin line. During the survey it was noted that the side of the vessel appeared to have flexed either from a collision or a drop. The survey and sale stopped at that point, but I learned of the issues with Irwin's relative to thin hulls and common flexing. Cap' we adore that 38 foot amid-ship Mark II model with the inline queen berth in the aft, and praise the interior space and beauty of the 52. They are beautiful vessels, but I am not sure about the construction, quality of materials and overall attributes of the Irwin. I think as a coastal liveaboard they are roomy and well layed out, so you have a challenge on your hands to research (I have seen an Irwin owners site on the internet) whichever 52 you come across. I wish you success in your searches for certainly in the esthetic sense, you are looking at a beautiful vessel. Regards Bob
A 52 is a snootfull
Are you sure you want to "start" sailing on a 20+ ton, 52-footer? Just getting that whale into/out of the average marina is going to be a production. Maybe you could start out on a "smaller" boat, like a 42 or 44. Read this great article by my favorite sailing author, John Kretschmer: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=jkrets002 Just my two cents
Are you sure you want to "start" sailing on a 20+ ton, 52-footer? Just getting that whale into/out of the average marina is going to be a production. Maybe you could start out on a "smaller" boat, like a 42 or 44. Read this great article by my favorite sailing author, John Kretschmer: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=jkrets002 Just my two cents
Good point
He's got a good point. I may be guessing but I don't think your powerboat was 20+ tons. I moved up from a 20' to a 37' and even after being part of the crew the first few times docking, the first time I docked alone it was a mess (but nearly as bad as the first time I docked my 20'
) The good news is that I have it down to a science, but it's only 8 tons. I can just imagine the damaged I could have done with a 20 ton boat. I'm also very thankfull that it has a fin keel. I need the extra turning ability in my tight slip.
He's got a good point. I may be guessing but I don't think your powerboat was 20+ tons. I moved up from a 20' to a 37' and even after being part of the crew the first few times docking, the first time I docked alone it was a mess (but nearly as bad as the first time I docked my 20'
) The good news is that I have it down to a science, but it's only 8 tons. I can just imagine the damaged I could have done with a 20 ton boat. I'm also very thankfull that it has a fin keel. I need the extra turning ability in my tight slip.- Status