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Irwin 37 Competition
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Irwin 37 Competition

Designed by Ted Irwin and first launched in 1973, this 37-footer represents a thoughtful balance between performance and practical cruising capabilities. The Competition variant lives up to its name with a relatively light displacement of 15,500 pounds and generous sail area of 628 square feet, delivering a respectable sail area-to-displacement ratio that favors spirited sailing in moderate conditions. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling and good pointing ability, while the masthead sloop rig keeps things simple and efficient. With nearly half its weight in ballast, the boat offers reassuring stability for coastal cruising and club racing. The comfortable beam of 11.67 feet provides reasonable interior volume without compromising the sleek lines that contribute to a theoretical hull speed of 7.34 knots. Built during Irwin Yachts' productive era, these boats gained a reputation as solid performers that could handle both weekend racing and extended coastal passages. The low comfort ratio of 28.29 suggests this is more performance-oriented than some contemporary cruisers, while the capsize screening value of 1.88 indicates good stability characteristics. For sailors seeking a versatile platform capable of competitive sailing and comfortable cruising in protected and near-offshore waters, the Irwin 37 Competition offers proven seaworthiness with spirited performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
Beam 11.67 ft / 3.56 m
Max Draft 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Displacement 15,500.00 lb / 7,031 kg
Ballast 7,500.00 lb / 3,402 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 628.00 ft² / 58.34 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts (USA)
First Built 1973
Associations Irwin Facebook Group
Related Sailboats ["Carter 37 1 Ton" · "Soverel 37" · "Tartan 37" · "C&C 37" · "Irwin 37 1"]
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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
 16.22
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
 48.39
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
 256.28
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
 28.29
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
 1.88
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. 7.34 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
 2.04
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. 1,250.95 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. 16.21
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.70 ft / 4.79 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 42.50 ft / 12.95 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.80 ft / 3.60 m
SA Fore 376.80 ft² / 35.01 m²
SA Main 250.75 ft² / 23.30 m²
SA Total (100%) 627.55 ft² / 58.30 m²
Est. Forestay Length 50.50 ft / 15.39 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model D108
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
How It Compares

vs. C&C 37, Soverel 37, Tartan 37

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 37 Competition ★
37.0 ft
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
37.0 ft
Tartan 37
37.0 ft
LWL
Irwin 37 Competition ★
30.0 ft
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
31.0 ft
Tartan 37
25.5 ft
Beam
Irwin 37 Competition ★
11.7 ft
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
9.3 ft
Tartan 37
10.5 ft
Displacement
Irwin 37 Competition ★
15 lbs
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
12 lbs
Tartan 37
14 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 37 Competition ★
7 lbs
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
4 lbs
Tartan 37
4 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 37 Competition ★
628 sq ft
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
—
Tartan 37
654 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 37 Competition ★
—
C&C 37
60 s/nm
Soverel 37
168 s/nm
Tartan 37
174 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 37 Competition ★
16.2
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
—
Tartan 37
17.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 37 Competition ★
48.4 %
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
33.3 %
Tartan 37
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 37 Competition ★
28.3
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
—
Tartan 37
34.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 37 Competition ★
1.88
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
—
Tartan 37
1.72
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 37 Competition ★
256
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
179
Tartan 37
—
Hull Speed
Irwin 37 Competition ★
7.3 kts
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
—
Tartan 37
6.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 37 Competition ★
2.0
C&C 37
—
Soverel 37
—
Tartan 37
1.1
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