Ted Irwin's Free Spirit 21 represents an intriguing entry in the early 1980s small cruiser market, combining practical coastal sailing capabilities with thoughtful design features. Built by Irwin Yachts starting in 1980, this 21-footer stands out with its lifting keel configuration, making it versatile for both deeper waters and shallow cruising grounds where traditional fixed-keel boats cannot venture.
The fractional sloop rig provides balanced sail handling, while the fiberglass construction ensures durability and relatively low maintenance. With 202 square feet of sail area driving 1,800 pounds of displacement, the Free Spirit offers sprightly performance for day sailing and weekend coastal cruising. The lifting keel design is particularly appealing for trailer sailors and those exploring shallow bays, creeks, and beaches.
At 21 feet overall with an 8-foot beam, the boat provides reasonable interior space for overnight accommodations while remaining manageable for single-handed sailing. The design reflects Ted Irwin's understanding of the small boat market's need for versatility. Best suited for protected waters, day sailing, and coastal exploration, the Free Spirit 21 appeals to sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising with the added flexibility of shallow-water capability.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
21.00 ft / 6.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
16.50 ft / 5.03 m
Beam
8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft
4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Min Draft
0.84 ft / 0.26 m
Displacement
1,800.00 lb / 816 kg
Ballast
750.00 lb / 340 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
202.00 ft² / 18.77 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Lifting Keel
Rigging Type
Fractional Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Ted Irwin
Builder
Irwin Yachts (USA)
First Built
1980
Associations
Irwin Facebook Group
Owner Reviews
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PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
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
21.89
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
178.88
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
9.76
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
2.63
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.
5.44 kn
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
3.55
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.
471.65 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
21.82
