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Irwin 40 Citation
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Irwin 40 Citation

Built during Irwin Yachts' productive era in the 1980s, this 40-foot sailboat represents the company's commitment to creating affordable cruising vessels for American sailors. The Citation was designed as a comfortable coastal cruiser, emphasizing interior volume and ease of handling over racing performance. Like other Irwin designs from this period, the Citation features a moderate displacement hull with a fin keel and spade rudder configuration that provides decent sailing performance while maintaining stability and predictable handling characteristics. The boat's beam and interior layout prioritize comfort below decks, making it well-suited for extended coastal cruising and live-aboard situations. Irwin boats from this era gained a reputation for being budget-friendly alternatives to higher-end production cruisers, offering good value for sailors seeking their first larger boat or a comfortable platform for weekend and vacation sailing. While not built to the same standards as premium manufacturers, the Citation provides adequate performance for coastal waters and protected offshore passages. The design reflects typical 1980s cruising priorities, with emphasis on interior space, comfortable accommodations, and user-friendly sail handling systems that make the boat manageable for couples or small crews.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.83 ft / 12.44 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.17 ft / 9.50 m
Beam 12.17 ft / 3.71 m
Max Draft 6.30 ft / 1.92 m
Displacement 16,890.00 lb / 7,661 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 738.00 ft² / 68.56 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts
First Built 1978
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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
122
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
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
27.47
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
2.28
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) 50.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 44.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.8
SA Fore 412.5
SA Main 325.6
How It Compares

vs. Irwin 41 Citation, J/40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 40 Citation ★
40.8 ft
Irwin 41 Citation
40.8 ft
J/40
40.9 ft
LWL
Irwin 40 Citation ★
31.2 ft
Irwin 41 Citation
33.3 ft
J/40
35.5 ft
Beam
Irwin 40 Citation ★
12.2 ft
Irwin 41 Citation
13.0 ft
J/40
13.2 ft
Displacement
Irwin 40 Citation ★
16 lbs
Irwin 41 Citation
17 lbs
J/40
18 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 40 Citation ★
Irwin 41 Citation
9 lbs
J/40
7 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 40 Citation ★
738 sq ft
Irwin 41 Citation
787 sq ft
J/40
780 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 40 Citation ★
122 s/nm
Irwin 41 Citation
84 s/nm
J/40
78 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 40 Citation ★
18.0
Irwin 41 Citation
18.8
J/40
17.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 40 Citation ★
Irwin 41 Citation
54.3 %
J/40
41.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 40 Citation ★
27.5
Irwin 41 Citation
24.9
J/40
33.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 40 Citation ★
1.90
Irwin 41 Citation
2.01
J/40
1.60
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 40 Citation ★
Irwin 41 Citation
211
J/40
162
Hull Speed
Irwin 40 Citation ★
7.5 kts
Irwin 41 Citation
7.7 kts
J/40
9.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 40 Citation ★
2.3
Irwin 41 Citation
2.8
J/40
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