Back to Search
Irwin 25
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yacht & Marine Corp. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1969
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Irwin 25

Built between 1969 and 1976 by Irwin Yacht & Marine Corporation, this 25-footer represents Ted Irwin's approach to affordable family cruising during the height of the fiberglass boat boom. The masthead sloop configuration and moderate displacement of 5,400 pounds strike a practical balance between performance and stability for coastal cruising adventures. Notable design features include a keel/centerboard configuration with spade rudder, offering the versatility of shallow-water exploration while maintaining good windward performance when the board is down. The 6.67-foot maximum draft provides excellent stability, while the centerboard allows access to shoal waters and easier trailering. With 315 square feet of sail area and a theoretical hull speed of 6.07 knots, the boat delivers respectable performance for weekend coastal sailing. The comfort ratio of 23.79 indicates a relatively stiff, quick-motion boat that favors performance over ultimate comfort, while the capsize screening value of 1.83 suggests good stability characteristics for coastal waters. This design appeals to sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising with decent accommodations for a small crew. The Irwin 25 suits coastal cruising, day sailing, and light overnight adventures, though it's best kept in protected waters rather than extended offshore passages.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.42 ft / 7.75 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 6.67 ft / 2.03 m
Min Draft 2.67 ft / 0.81 m
Displacement 5,400.00 lb / 2,449 kg
Ballast 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 315.00 ft² / 29.26 m²
Headroom 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/CB & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yacht & Marine Corp. (USA)
First Built 1969
Last Built 1976
Associations Irwin Facebook Group
Related Sailboats ["Balboa 26" · "Ericson 25 1" · "Hunter 255" · "Contessa 26" · "Irwin 104"]
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Irwin 25? Submit a known issue

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
 207
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
 16.42
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.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 40.74
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
 279.82
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
 23.79
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
 1.83
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. 6.07 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
 1.88
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. 585.99 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. 16.61
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 29.50 ft / 8.99 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
SA Fore 156.25 ft² / 14.52 m²
SA Main 162.25 ft² / 15.07 m²
SA Total (100%) 318.50 ft² / 29.59 m²
Est. Forestay Length 32.81 ft / 10.00 m
Mast Height (DWL) 34.33 ft / 10.46 m
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 14 gals / 53 L
How It Compares

vs. Contessa 26, Ericson 25 1, Hunter 255

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 25 ★
25.4 ft
Contessa 26
25.5 ft
Ericson 25 1
25.4 ft
Hunter 255
25.6 ft
LWL
Irwin 25 ★
20.5 ft
Contessa 26
20.0 ft
Ericson 25 1
21.8 ft
Hunter 255
22.1 ft
Beam
Irwin 25 ★
8.0 ft
Contessa 26
7.5 ft
Ericson 25 1
9.3 ft
Hunter 255
9.1 ft
Displacement
Irwin 25 ★
5 lbs
Contessa 26
5 lbs
Ericson 25 1
5 lbs
Hunter 255
4 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 25 ★
2 lbs
Contessa 26
2 lbs
Ericson 25 1
2 lbs
Hunter 255
1 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 25 ★
315 sq ft
Contessa 26
233 sq ft
Ericson 25 1
325 sq ft
Hunter 255
282 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 25 ★
207 s/nm
Contessa 26
219 s/nm
Ericson 25 1
234 s/nm
Hunter 255
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 25 ★
16.4
Contessa 26
12.2
Ericson 25 1
17.8
Hunter 255
16.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 25 ★
40.7 %
Contessa 26
—
Ericson 25 1
40.0 %
Hunter 255
40.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 25 ★
23.8
Contessa 26
26.3
Ericson 25 1
17.4
Hunter 255
15.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 25 ★
1.83
Contessa 26
1.71
Ericson 25 1
2.17
Hunter 255
2.20
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 25 ★
279
Contessa 26
—
Ericson 25 1
214
Hunter 255
186
Hull Speed
Irwin 25 ★
6.1 kts
Contessa 26
6.0 kts
Ericson 25 1
6.3 kts
Hunter 255
6.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 25 ★
1.9
Contessa 26
1.3
Ericson 25 1
2.6
Hunter 255
2.8
Find a Irwin 25 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace