Irwin 23

Summary

The Irwin 23 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Ted Irwin as a cruiser and first built in 1968.[1][2][3]

Irwin 23
Development
DesignerTed Irwin
LocationUnited States
Year1968
Builder(s)Irwin Yachts
RoleCruiser
NameIrwin 23
Boat
Displacement3,200 lb (1,451 kg)
Draft5.75 ft (1.75 m) with centerboard down
Hull
Typemonohull
Constructionfiberglass
LOA23.00 ft (7.01 m)
LWL18.50 ft (5.64 m)
Beam8.00 ft (2.44 m)
Engine typeoutboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board typefin keel with centerboard
Ballast1,500 lb (680 kg)
Rudder(s)internally-mounted spade-type rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
I foretriangle height28.50 ft (8.69 m)
J foretriangle base9.50 ft (2.90 m)
P mainsail luff25.00 ft (7.62 m)
E mainsail foot10.25 ft (3.12 m)
Sails
Sailplanmasthead sloop
Mainsail area128.13 sq ft (11.904 m2)
Jib/genoa area135.38 sq ft (12.577 m2)
Total sail area263.50 sq ft (24.480 m2)
Racing
PHRF252

Production edit

The design was built by Irwin Yachts in the United States, from 1968 until 1975, but it is now out of production.[1][3][4]

Design edit

The Irwin 23 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a spooned raked stem, a plumb transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel, with retractable centerboard. It displaces 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) and carries 1,500 lb (680 kg) of lead ballast.[1][3]

The boat has a draft of 5.75 ft (1.75 m) with the centerboard extended and 2.42 ft (0.74 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.[1][3]

The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1][3]

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, a drop-down dinette table and a straight settee in the main cabin and an aft pilot berth on the port side. The galley is located on the port side amidships. The galley is equipped with a sink. The head is located in the bow cabin on the starboard side. Cabin headroom is 57 in (145 cm).[1][3]

For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker.[1][3]

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 252 and a hull speed of 5.8 kn (10.7 km/h).[3]

Operational history edit

The boat is supported by an active class club, the Irwin Yacht Owners.[5]

In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "The Irwin 23 was the smallest boat commercially produced by Irwin, who ended up building hundreds of boats and dozens of models. Best features: Among her comp[etitor]s, the Irwin is probably the fastest boat, despite her PHRF rating and maximum theoretical speed being equal to both the Sovereign [23 and Sovereign Antares], which have no centerboard for going upwind efficiently, as does the Irwin. The Sovereigns also have higher topsides and a taller cabin, which may provide better headroom but contribute 'top hamper' or windage that tends to slow the boat upwind. Worst features: Irwin's construction quality tended to be so-so at best."[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Irwin 23 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  2. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Ted Irwin 1940 - 2015". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 236. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN 978-0-07-163652-0
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Irwin Yachts 1966 - 1992". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  5. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Irwin Yacht Owners". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.