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Irwin 27
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Irwin 27

Built during the 1970s as part of Irwin Yachts' popular cruising line, this 27-footer represents the era's emphasis on comfortable coastal sailing and weekend adventures. Irwin established a solid reputation for producing affordable, well-built fiberglass sailboats that offered good value for recreational sailors seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank. The design reflects typical characteristics of Irwin's philosophy: a practical layout that maximizes interior space while maintaining decent sailing qualities. Like other boats in the Irwin fleet, this model likely features a moderate beam that provides stability and room below decks, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and overnight trips with family or friends. While not built for serious offshore passages or competitive racing, the Irwin 27 serves admirably as a weekend cruiser and day sailor. The boat's construction quality and straightforward systems make it an appealing choice for newer sailors or those seeking an economical entry into cruising. Its size strikes a good balance between manageability for smaller crews and enough space for short-term live-aboard adventures along protected coastlines and inland waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.08 ft / 8.25 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
Beam 8.67 ft / 2.64 m
Max Draft 7.83 ft / 2.39 m
Min Draft 2.67 ft / 0.81 m
Displacement 6,600.00 lb / 2,994 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 356.00 ft² / 33.07 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/CB & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts
First Built 1967
Related Sailboats ["Tartan 27" · "Cs 27" · "Cape Dory 27" · "Santana 27" · "Columbia 83"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 225
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
 16.24
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
 25.55
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
 1.85
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
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
 1.45
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. 635.07
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.67
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.25
SA Fore 178.5
SA Main 193.98
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 27, Cs 27, Santana 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 27 ★
27.1 ft
Cape Dory 27
27.1 ft
Cs 27
27.0 ft
Santana 27
27.0 ft
LWL
Irwin 27 ★
20.5 ft
Cape Dory 27
20.0 ft
Cs 27
23.9 ft
Santana 27
22.5 ft
Beam
Irwin 27 ★
8.7 ft
Cape Dory 27
8.5 ft
Cs 27
9.3 ft
Santana 27
9.0 ft
Displacement
Irwin 27 ★
6 lbs
Cape Dory 27
7 lbs
Cs 27
6 lbs
Santana 27
5 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 27 ★
—
Cape Dory 27
3 lbs
Cs 27
2 lbs
Santana 27
2 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 27 ★
356 sq ft
Cape Dory 27
365 sq ft
Cs 27
453 sq ft
Santana 27
348 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 27 ★
225 s/nm
Cape Dory 27
222 s/nm
Cs 27
204 s/nm
Santana 27
201 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 27 ★
16.2
Cape Dory 27
15.3
Cs 27
21.8
Santana 27
19.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 27 ★
—
Cape Dory 27
40.0 %
Cs 27
—
Santana 27
46.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 27 ★
25.6
Cape Dory 27
30.3
Cs 27
19.4
Santana 27
17.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 27 ★
1.85
Cape Dory 27
1.74
Cs 27
2.05
Santana 27
2.11
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 27 ★
—
Cape Dory 27
418
Cs 27
—
Santana 27
195
Hull Speed
Irwin 27 ★
6.1 kts
Cape Dory 27
6.0 kts
Cs 27
6.6 kts
Santana 27
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 27 ★
1.5
Cape Dory 27
0.9
Cs 27
2.6
Santana 27
3.0
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