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Irwin 30 Competition
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Irwin 30 Competition

Designed by Ted Irwin and first launched in 1972, this 30-footer represents a notable entry in the competitive sailing market of the early 1970s. Built by Irwin Yachts in fiberglass construction, the Competition model lives up to its name with a purposeful design focused on performance sailing. The boat's fin keel configuration with rudder mounted on a skeg provides excellent directional stability while maintaining good maneuverability. With a displacement of 10,000 pounds and substantial ballast of 4,600 pounds, nearly half the boat's weight is positioned low for enhanced stability. The masthead sloop rig carries 474 square feet of sail area, delivering a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.39 that indicates spirited performance potential. At 30 feet overall with a waterline length approaching 27 feet, the Competition offers a good balance of interior space and sailing capability. The comfort ratio of 25.27 suggests this boat favors performance over pure comfort, making it well-suited for coastal racing, spirited day sailing, and competitive events. The capsize screening formula of 1.89 indicates reasonable offshore capability for experienced sailors, though the boat truly excels in protected waters where its racing-oriented design can shine.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.92 ft / 8.21 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast 4,600.00 lb / 2,087 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 474.00 ft² / 44.04 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts (USA)
First Built 1972
Associations Half Ton Class
Related Sailboats ["J/30" · "Cal 30" · "Columbia 30" · "Irwin 30 Citation" · "Capri 30 Catalina"]
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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
 16.39
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
 46
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
 228.84
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
 25.27
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
 1.89
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. 6.95 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
 2.32
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. 978.23 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. 16.39
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 41.70 ft / 12.71 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
SA Fore 281.48 ft² / 26.15 m²
SA Main 192.50 ft² / 17.88 m²
SA Total (100%) 473.98 ft² / 44.03 m²
Est. Forestay Length 43.83 ft / 13.36 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model Atomic 4
Engine Type Gas
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
How It Compares

vs. Cal 30, Columbia 30, Irwin 30 Citation

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 30 Competition ★
30.0 ft
Cal 30
30.0 ft
Columbia 30
30.0 ft
Irwin 30 Citation
30.0 ft
LWL
Irwin 30 Competition ★
26.9 ft
Cal 30
24.5 ft
Columbia 30
26.5 ft
Irwin 30 Citation
26.9 ft
Beam
Irwin 30 Competition ★
10.2 ft
Cal 30
10.0 ft
Columbia 30
9.5 ft
Irwin 30 Citation
10.0 ft
Displacement
Irwin 30 Competition ★
10 lbs
Cal 30
9 lbs
Columbia 30
10 lbs
Irwin 30 Citation
10 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 30 Competition ★
4 lbs
Cal 30
3 lbs
Columbia 30
—
Irwin 30 Citation
4 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 30 Competition ★
474 sq ft
Cal 30
420 sq ft
Columbia 30
515 sq ft
Irwin 30 Citation
495 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 30 Competition ★
—
Cal 30
183 s/nm
Columbia 30
180 s/nm
Irwin 30 Citation
177 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 30 Competition ★
16.4
Cal 30
14.9
Columbia 30
16.9
Irwin 30 Citation
16.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 30 Competition ★
46.0 %
Cal 30
—
Columbia 30
—
Irwin 30 Citation
41.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 30 Competition ★
25.3
Cal 30
26.4
Columbia 30
30.2
Irwin 30 Citation
26.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 30 Competition ★
1.89
Cal 30
1.89
Columbia 30
1.72
Irwin 30 Citation
1.84
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 30 Competition ★
228
Cal 30
—
Columbia 30
—
Irwin 30 Citation
237
Hull Speed
Irwin 30 Competition ★
7.0 kts
Cal 30
6.6 kts
Columbia 30
6.9 kts
Irwin 30 Citation
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 30 Competition ★
2.3
Cal 30
1.6
Columbia 30
2.1
Irwin 30 Citation
2.3
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