The Irwin 38 2 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.5′, the Irwin 38 2 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.5′ LWL = 7.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.8
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
35.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
260
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
31.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.81
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
31.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.81
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Irwin 38 2 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Hunter 40 1
102s/nm
Intrepid 40
125s/nm
Endeavour 40
147s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts),
SA/D (16.8), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Irwin 38 2 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Irwin 38 2.
|
Irwin 38 2 |
Endeavour 40 |
Hunter 40 1 |
Intrepid 40 |
Lancer 40 |
Tartan 40 Offshore |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
40.0 |
40.0 |
40.0 |
40.0 |
40.0 |
40.0 |
| LWL |
32.5 |
32.0 |
34.6 |
32.8 |
33.7 |
36.0 |
| Beam |
12.3 |
13.0 |
13.5 |
12.6 |
12.0 |
13.3 |
| Displacement |
20 |
25 |
18 |
20 |
15 |
26 |
| Ballast |
7 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
10 |
| Sail Area |
771 |
788 |
762 |
749 |
689 |
788 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
147 |
102 |
125 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.8 |
14.8 |
17.4 |
16.3 |
17.8 |
14.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
35.0 |
36.0 |
40.0 |
36.9 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
31.6 |
36.9 |
24.5 |
30.5 |
24.6 |
34.3 |
| Capsize |
1.81 |
1.78 |
2.05 |
1.86 |
1.93 |
1.80 |
| Hull Speed |
7.6 |
7.6 |
7.9 |
7.7 |
7.8 |
8.0 |