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Irwin 23
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yacht & Marine Corporation  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Irwin 23

This compact cruiser from Irwin Yachts represents an accessible entry point into coastal sailing and weekend cruising adventures. Built during Irwin's productive years of fiberglass sailboat manufacturing, this design reflects the company's focus on creating affordable, practical boats for the average sailing enthusiast. The boat's modest size makes it well-suited for day sailing, harbor exploration, and short coastal hops rather than extended offshore passages. Its proportions suggest a design balanced between performance and comfort, typical of Irwin's approach to recreational sailing vessels. The cockpit and cabin arrangement prioritize ease of handling and basic accommodations for overnight trips or extended day sails. Irwin Yachts built a reputation for producing solid, no-nonsense sailboats that offered good value for money. This model likely shares the brand's characteristic traits of straightforward rigging, reasonable sailing performance, and practical interior layouts that maximize the available space. For sailors seeking an affordable boat for learning coastal navigation, weekend getaways, or simply enjoying time on the water without the complexity of larger vessels, this Irwin offers a sensible platform that emphasizes accessibility over high-performance sailing capabilities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Min Draft 2.42 ft / 0.74 m
Displacement 3,200.00 lb / 1,451 kg
Ballast 1,500.00 lb / 680 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 256.00 ft² / 23.78 m²
Headroom 5.17 ft / 1.58 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/CB & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yacht & Marine Corporation
First Built 1968
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Performance Ratios
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).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
228
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
18.91
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
15.61
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
2.17
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. 5.76
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
2.67
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. 528.82
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 28.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 25.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.25
SA Fore 135.38
SA Main 128.13
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