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Irwin 34
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Irwin 34

Designed during the height of the production fiberglass era, this mid-sized cruiser represents Irwin Yachts' commitment to accessible family sailing. Built with coastal cruising and weekend adventures in mind, the Irwin 34 appealed to sailors seeking a manageable yet spacious platform for exploring protected waters and nearby anchorages. The design philosophy emphasized comfort and ease of handling over racing performance, making it particularly attractive to couples and small families transitioning from smaller boats. Irwin's reputation centered on creating practical, no-nonsense cruisers that prioritized livability and value, and the 34-foot model embodied these principles well. While comprehensive specifications remain elusive, the boat's size and vintage suggest a moderate displacement hull designed for stability and predictable handling characteristics. The interior layout likely maximized accommodation within the available space, featuring the comfortable galleys and sleeping arrangements that became Irwin's trademark. For prospective buyers researching coastal cruisers from this era, the Irwin 34 represents the type of thoughtful compromise between size, affordability, and capability that defined successful production boats of its generation. Its enduring presence in the used boat market speaks to the fundamental soundness of the design approach.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.60 ft / 10.55 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.33 ft / 8.33 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Displacement 11,500.00 lb / 5,216 kg
Ballast 4,500.00 lb / 2,041 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 544.00 ft² / 50.54 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts
First Built 1982
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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
171
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
17.14
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
23.98
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
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. 7.01
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
2.17
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 42.75
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.75
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.5
SA Fore 293.91
SA Main 249.75
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