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Irwin 12 Ton
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yacht & Marine Corporation  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Irwin 12 Ton

Built during Irwin Yachts' productive era in the 1970s and 1980s, this 12-ton cruising sailboat represents the company's commitment to affordable family sailing. Ted Irwin's designs typically emphasized practical layouts and solid construction methods that appealed to budget-conscious sailors seeking dependable coastal cruising capabilities. Like other vessels from the Florida-based manufacturer, this model likely features a moderate displacement hull with a fin keel configuration, designed to balance sailing performance with interior volume. Irwin boats gained recognition for offering generous accommodations relative to their length, making them popular choices for weekend cruising and extended coastal passages. The 12-ton designation suggests a substantial vessel capable of handling varied sailing conditions, from protected waters to more challenging coastal environments. Irwin's reputation centered on producing seaworthy boats that didn't break the bank, though some critics noted that cost-conscious construction occasionally came at the expense of premium fit and finish. For sailors researching this model, the limited available specifications reflect the boat's position as a solid, if unremarkable, member of Irwin's cruising lineup. These vessels typically attract owners seeking practical sailing platforms rather than cutting-edge performance or luxury appointments.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.42 ft / 7.44 m
Beam 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Min Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 7,300.00 lb / 3,311 kg
Ballast 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 390.00 ft² / 36.23 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yacht & Marine Corporation
First Built 1976
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.63
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
19.04
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.12
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.62
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.4
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 894.37
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 39.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 33.17
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.42
SA Fore 234.0
SA Main 156.23
How It Compares

vs. Gulf 32, Irwin 12 Ton Mkii, Ontario 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 12 Ton ★
32.0 ft
Gulf 32
32.0 ft
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
32.0 ft
Ontario 32
32.0 ft
LWL
Irwin 12 Ton ★
24.4 ft
Gulf 32
25.0 ft
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
24.4 ft
Ontario 32
26.5 ft
Beam
Irwin 12 Ton ★
10.3 ft
Gulf 32
10.0 ft
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
11.3 ft
Ontario 32
11.0 ft
Displacement
Irwin 12 Ton ★
7 lbs
Gulf 32
15 lbs
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
7 lbs
Ontario 32
9 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 12 Ton ★
2 lbs
Gulf 32
6 lbs
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
3 lbs
Ontario 32
3 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 12 Ton ★
390 sq ft
Gulf 32
555 sq ft
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
412 sq ft
Ontario 32
481 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 12 Ton ★
Gulf 32
279 s/nm
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
Ontario 32
177 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 12 Ton ★
16.6
Gulf 32
14.7
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
17.6
Ontario 32
16.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 12 Ton ★
Gulf 32
43.3 %
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
Ontario 32
40.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 12 Ton ★
19.0
Gulf 32
39.8
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
16.7
Ontario 32
22.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 12 Ton ★
2.12
Gulf 32
1.62
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
2.34
Ontario 32
2.06
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 12 Ton ★
Gulf 32
428
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
Ontario 32
235
Hull Speed
Irwin 12 Ton ★
6.6 kts
Gulf 32
6.7 kts
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
6.6 kts
Ontario 32
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 12 Ton ★
2.4
Gulf 32
0.7
Irwin 12 Ton Mkii
Ontario 32
2.3
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