We are looking to buy our 1st boat. We enjoy over nigth sailing (until we retire) and have a champagne taste with a beer bidget. I have infro on 4 Irwins at Snady Hook Yacht Sales. I understand older boats coem with inherent problems and am willing to go with the flow onthis sugbject, but.... Having never heard much about Irwins: Are they still made? parts availbaility? Prices range from 44,500 to 79,000. What did new Irwins sell for? Thank you for all comments, good and bad.
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Older boats
Not much help to you on Irwins, but I can speak to the older boat issue with some recent experience. We just purchased a 1967 Alberg 30 this summer. First, you're right, any older boat (unless you find one just recently refitted) will need some work. Our boat surveyed very well, everything important sound, etc. We still put almost as much as our purchase price (mid-teens) into updating things on her that were just plain old...through-hulls, original gate valve seacocks, new head/holding tank, wiring improvements, etc. A considerable part of the money went to improvements we wanted on the boat versus "needed." All said though, we feel like we now have a blue-water capable boat in great shape for a fraction of the cost of a new boat. Older also implies some different design priorities over many newer boats--narrower beams, less luxurious accomodations, etc. But for the two of us the Alberg is more than fine. Best advice I'm sure you already know is get a good surveyor and tell them to be tough--that will give you a firm basis with which to make your decision, and also a roadmap to bring your "new" boat to the kind of condition you want. Regarding asking prices, you can check web sites such as this one or yachtworld.com, boats.com, etc. to see what boats you're interested in are going for. Some of the sites have "blue book" links that will give you average wholesale, retail, etc. Fair winds, Bill
Not much help to you on Irwins, but I can speak to the older boat issue with some recent experience. We just purchased a 1967 Alberg 30 this summer. First, you're right, any older boat (unless you find one just recently refitted) will need some work. Our boat surveyed very well, everything important sound, etc. We still put almost as much as our purchase price (mid-teens) into updating things on her that were just plain old...through-hulls, original gate valve seacocks, new head/holding tank, wiring improvements, etc. A considerable part of the money went to improvements we wanted on the boat versus "needed." All said though, we feel like we now have a blue-water capable boat in great shape for a fraction of the cost of a new boat. Older also implies some different design priorities over many newer boats--narrower beams, less luxurious accomodations, etc. But for the two of us the Alberg is more than fine. Best advice I'm sure you already know is get a good surveyor and tell them to be tough--that will give you a firm basis with which to make your decision, and also a roadmap to bring your "new" boat to the kind of condition you want. Regarding asking prices, you can check web sites such as this one or yachtworld.com, boats.com, etc. to see what boats you're interested in are going for. Some of the sites have "blue book" links that will give you average wholesale, retail, etc. Fair winds, Bill
Irwins
No, Irwins aren't built anymore and I'd guess they haven't been for about 10 years. Many of the parts on the boat (spars, rigging, winches, oven, refrigeration, etc) are component parts from various manufacturers, so you're at no greater disadvantage than anyone else, even if their builder is still around. The fiberglass, stainless steel, and wood pieces will no longer be available and would have to be fabricated. I've never sailed an Irwin so I can't say anything about them but they have plenty of happy owners out there, I do know that. Good luck!
No, Irwins aren't built anymore and I'd guess they haven't been for about 10 years. Many of the parts on the boat (spars, rigging, winches, oven, refrigeration, etc) are component parts from various manufacturers, so you're at no greater disadvantage than anyone else, even if their builder is still around. The fiberglass, stainless steel, and wood pieces will no longer be available and would have to be fabricated. I've never sailed an Irwin so I can't say anything about them but they have plenty of happy owners out there, I do know that. Good luck!
Irwin
I once owned an Irwin center cockpit and it was very comfortable for living aboard. Not the fastest or best pointing when sailing but reasonable quality for the price. Phil's comments are right on except Irwins are again being built, however, I don't think any are less than 50'.
I once owned an Irwin center cockpit and it was very comfortable for living aboard. Not the fastest or best pointing when sailing but reasonable quality for the price. Phil's comments are right on except Irwins are again being built, however, I don't think any are less than 50'.
I need to jump in! H260
I have just finished sailing for three years the Hunter 260 and I'm still amazed at the size and capabilities of this boat. I was helping sell this boat at the Annapolis show and at one time we had ten people down below. This boat feels like and on the water looks like a 30 footer. The ability to go shalow is a big PLUS. It only draws 2ft with the centerboard and rudder UP. Sails like a dream. Go check out this boat and it is a trailerable. For the cost of an older boat you can have a new one. I can't say enough about the H260 even though I'm trading up to a H356. I was willing to stay in the H260 but the first mate and I are following our dream. Jim
I have just finished sailing for three years the Hunter 260 and I'm still amazed at the size and capabilities of this boat. I was helping sell this boat at the Annapolis show and at one time we had ten people down below. This boat feels like and on the water looks like a 30 footer. The ability to go shalow is a big PLUS. It only draws 2ft with the centerboard and rudder UP. Sails like a dream. Go check out this boat and it is a trailerable. For the cost of an older boat you can have a new one. I can't say enough about the H260 even though I'm trading up to a H356. I was willing to stay in the H260 but the first mate and I are following our dream. Jim
Former Irwin Owner
Irwins were built until about 1990 or 91. They were one of the first casualties of the boating industry meltdown of the early '90s. They came in 2 model lines. The first, and best known was the center cockpit, available in a variety of lengths from mid 30s to a 65. In 1988, a new center cockpit 38 foot sold for about $110,000 nicely equipped. The 54 remains one of our favorite boats...the one that got away! As per the earlier posts, these we known as very comfortable cruising boats with a lot of happy owners. They sold well on the east coast, larger models were popular for crewed, high end charters in the BVIs. The other model was the Citation, which is the aft cockpit. It was available until 1989 in lengths from the mid 20s to the 38. We owned a new 38, it sold new in the $80-90 range in 1988. It was a good boat, but severly limited in batteries, tankage, and the ability to expand. It was, however, a great first sailboat...comfortable and forgiving. The Citation was designed to compete in the Catalina/Hunter segment of the market (as it was in the late 80s) and as such will have similar attributes as those boats. As per Phil's post, the equipment on the boats is name brand, and will be as available as any other boat from that year. A good quality center cockpit Irwin that surveyed well would be a great boat for what you wish to do. After Ted Irwin closed the company in the early 90s, a company that had "American" in the name attemted to bring them back to market but was unsuccessful. Therefore, as with many of the good cruising boats of the late 80s you will not find many (any?) models that are less than 10 years old. However, as per David's post, you can order a ne one now in the XXXL size.
Irwins were built until about 1990 or 91. They were one of the first casualties of the boating industry meltdown of the early '90s. They came in 2 model lines. The first, and best known was the center cockpit, available in a variety of lengths from mid 30s to a 65. In 1988, a new center cockpit 38 foot sold for about $110,000 nicely equipped. The 54 remains one of our favorite boats...the one that got away! As per the earlier posts, these we known as very comfortable cruising boats with a lot of happy owners. They sold well on the east coast, larger models were popular for crewed, high end charters in the BVIs. The other model was the Citation, which is the aft cockpit. It was available until 1989 in lengths from the mid 20s to the 38. We owned a new 38, it sold new in the $80-90 range in 1988. It was a good boat, but severly limited in batteries, tankage, and the ability to expand. It was, however, a great first sailboat...comfortable and forgiving. The Citation was designed to compete in the Catalina/Hunter segment of the market (as it was in the late 80s) and as such will have similar attributes as those boats. As per Phil's post, the equipment on the boats is name brand, and will be as available as any other boat from that year. A good quality center cockpit Irwin that surveyed well would be a great boat for what you wish to do. After Ted Irwin closed the company in the early 90s, a company that had "American" in the name attemted to bring them back to market but was unsuccessful. Therefore, as with many of the good cruising boats of the late 80s you will not find many (any?) models that are less than 10 years old. However, as per David's post, you can order a ne one now in the XXXL size.
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