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Irwin 38 Citation
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Irwin 38 Citation

Built by Irwin Yachts beginning in 1986, this Ted Irwin-designed 38-footer represents the builder's focus on comfortable cruising sailboats for the American market. The Citation features a modern fin keel and spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling while maintaining the stability coastal cruisers demand. With a displacement of 15,000 pounds and 5,500 pounds of ballast, the Citation strikes a balance between performance and load-carrying capacity. The generous 12.50-foot beam provides spacious accommodations below while contributing to initial stability. Her masthead sloop rig carries 675 square feet of sail area, yielding a moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 17.82 that favors ease of handling over racing performance. The boat's comfort ratio of 24.41 reflects Ted Irwin's emphasis on motion comfort, making extended passages more pleasant for crews. A capsize screening value of 2.03 indicates good stability characteristics for coastal and offshore cruising, though the Citation is primarily suited for coastal exploration and moderate offshore passages rather than heavy weather ocean crossing. Irwin Yachts built a reputation for offering well-appointed interiors and solid construction at competitive prices, making the Citation an attractive option for sailors seeking a capable cruising platform without breaking the budget.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.67 ft / 9.35 m
Beam 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Max Draft 6.92 ft / 2.11 m
Displacement 15,000.00 lb / 6,804 kg
Ballast 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 675.00 ft² / 62.71 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts (USA)
First Built 1986
Associations Irwin Facebook Group
Related Sailboats ["Catalina 38" · "Hunter 38" · "Islander 38 C" · "C&C 38" · "Ericson 38"]
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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
 123
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
 17.82
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
 36.67
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
 232.11
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
 24.41
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
 2.03
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. 7.42 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
 2.25
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. 1,369.84 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. 16.05
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 44.00 ft / 13.41 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
SA Fore 300.00 ft² / 27.87 m²
SA Main 308.00 ft² / 28.61 m²
SA Total (100%) 608.00 ft² / 56.49 m²
Est. Forestay Length 42.72 ft / 13.02 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
How It Compares

vs. C&C 38, Hunter 38, Islander 38 C

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 38 Citation ★
38.0 ft
C&C 38
38.0 ft
Hunter 38
38.0 ft
Islander 38 C
38.0 ft
LWL
Irwin 38 Citation ★
30.7 ft
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
27.5 ft
Beam
Irwin 38 Citation ★
12.5 ft
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
12.0 ft
Displacement
Irwin 38 Citation ★
15 lbs
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
17 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 38 Citation ★
5 lbs
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
7 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 38 Citation ★
675 sq ft
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
673 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 38 Citation ★
123 s/nm
C&C 38
111 s/nm
Hunter 38
123 s/nm
Islander 38 C
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 38 Citation ★
17.8
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 38 Citation ★
36.7 %
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
45.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 38 Citation ★
24.4
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
31.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 38 Citation ★
2.03
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
1.87
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 38 Citation ★
232
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
364
Hull Speed
Irwin 38 Citation ★
7.4 kts
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 38 Citation ★
2.3
C&C 38
—
Hunter 38
—
Islander 38 C
1.3
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