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Irwin 39 Citation
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Irwin 39 Citation

Built during Irwin Yachts' productive era in the 1980s, this 39-foot sailboat represents the builder's commitment to creating affordable cruising vessels for the growing recreational sailing market. The Citation model was designed as a comfortable coastal cruiser, emphasizing spacious accommodations and ease of handling over racing performance. Like other Irwin designs of this period, the Citation features a moderate displacement hull with a fin keel configuration that balances stability with reasonable sailing performance. The boat's beam provides generous interior volume, making it particularly appealing to couples and small families seeking extended cruising comfort. The cockpit layout prioritizes safety and convenience for shorthanded sailing. While not designed for serious offshore passages or competitive racing, the Citation excels in coastal cruising applications where comfort and reliability matter most. The boat's construction reflects typical 1980s production techniques, with a fiberglass hull and deck joined at a traditional hull-to-deck joint. Prospective buyers should expect a solid, if unremarkable, cruising sailboat that offers good value in the used boat market. The Citation appeals most to sailors seeking an affordable entry into larger boat ownership without sacrificing basic comfort and seaworthiness.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.75 ft / 12.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.17 ft / 9.50 m
Beam 12.17 ft / 3.71 m
Max Draft 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Displacement 16,890.00 lb / 7,661 kg
Ballast 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 769.00 ft² / 71.44 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts
First Built 1979
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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
132
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
18.76
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
27.74
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
1.9
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. 7.48
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
2.34
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) 52.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 46.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.75
SA Fore 429.0
SA Main 339.25
How It Compares

vs. Allied 39, Mistress 39 Allied, Nautilus 40, Nordic 40, North American 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 39 Citation ★
39.8 ft
Allied 39
39.8 ft
Mistress 39 Allied
39.7 ft
Nautilus 40
39.8 ft
Nordic 40
39.7 ft
North American 40
39.7 ft
LWL
Irwin 39 Citation ★
31.2 ft
Allied 39
28.8 ft
Mistress 39 Allied
29.8 ft
Nautilus 40
30.5 ft
Nordic 40
32.5 ft
North American 40
32.0 ft
Beam
Irwin 39 Citation ★
12.2 ft
Allied 39
10.5 ft
Mistress 39 Allied
12.0 ft
Nautilus 40
10.8 ft
Nordic 40
12.4 ft
North American 40
12.6 ft
Displacement
Irwin 39 Citation ★
16 lbs
Allied 39
17 lbs
Mistress 39 Allied
20 lbs
Nautilus 40
19 lbs
Nordic 40
18 lbs
North American 40
17 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 39 Citation ★
6 lbs
Allied 39
6 lbs
Mistress 39 Allied
5 lbs
Nautilus 40
9 lbs
Nordic 40
7 lbs
North American 40
7 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 39 Citation ★
769 sq ft
Allied 39
680 sq ft
Mistress 39 Allied
Nautilus 40
696 sq ft
Nordic 40
756 sq ft
North American 40
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 39 Citation ★
132 s/nm
Allied 39
Mistress 39 Allied
Nautilus 40
132 s/nm
Nordic 40
105 s/nm
North American 40
90 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 39 Citation ★
18.8
Allied 39
16.5
Mistress 39 Allied
Nautilus 40
15.5
Nordic 40
17.7
North American 40
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 39 Citation ★
Allied 39
39.4 %
Mistress 39 Allied
26.9 %
Nautilus 40
Nordic 40
39.4 %
North American 40
45.2 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 39 Citation ★
27.7
Allied 39
35.7
Mistress 39 Allied
Nautilus 40
37.5
Nordic 40
28.0
North American 40
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 39 Citation ★
1.90
Allied 39
1.64
Mistress 39 Allied
Nautilus 40
1.62
Nordic 40
1.90
North American 40
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 39 Citation ★
Allied 39
316
Mistress 39 Allied
349
Nautilus 40
Nordic 40
234
North American 40
238
Hull Speed
Irwin 39 Citation ★
7.5 kts
Allied 39
7.2 kts
Mistress 39 Allied
Nautilus 40
7.4 kts
Nordic 40
7.6 kts
North American 40
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 39 Citation ★
2.3
Allied 39
1.6
Mistress 39 Allied
Nautilus 40
Nordic 40
2.4
North American 40
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