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Irwin 43 Cc Mkii
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Irwin 43 Cc Mkii

Built by Irwin Yachts from 1985 onward, this center cockpit cruiser represents Ted Irwin's approach to comfortable bluewater sailing. At 45.5 feet overall with a 35.5-foot waterline, the design balances interior volume with sailing performance through its moderate displacement of 26,000 pounds and generous beam of 13.58 feet. The cutter rig configuration provides versatile sail handling options for varying conditions, while the fin keel with rudder on skeg offers a good compromise between performance and directional stability. With 1,022 square feet of sail area driving the hull to a theoretical maximum of 7.98 knots, the boat delivers respectable passage-making speed without sacrificing comfort. The center cockpit layout maximizes privacy in the aft cabin while providing excellent visibility for watch-keeping. A comfort ratio of 32.35 indicates this design prioritizes seakindly motion over pure speed, making extended offshore passages more pleasant for the crew. The capsize screening formula of 1.84 suggests good stability characteristics for ocean sailing. With 4.92 feet of draft and fiberglass construction, the boat can access most cruising destinations while maintaining the structural integrity needed for serious coastal and offshore cruising adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 45.50 ft / 13.87 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
Beam 13.58 ft / 4.14 m
Max Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 26,000.00 lb / 11,793 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,022.00 ft² / 94.95 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts (USA)
First Built 1985
Associations Irwin Facebook Group
Related Sailboats ["Irwin 43 Cc Mki" · "Formosa 46" · "Oceanic 46 Brewer" · "Endeavour 43" · "First 456 Beneteau"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For
High Hull/Deck
Irwin's deck-to-hull joint on the 43 CC MkII uses an outward-turning flange that is through-bolted and bedded, but the bedding compound frequently fails, allowing water intrusion into the hull liner and causing hidden delamination along the joint. Pay close attention to the toerail fasteners and the joint itself during survey.
High Hull/Deck
The balsa-cored deck used throughout Irwin production of this era is prone to moisture intrusion, particularly around chainplate through-bolts, stanchion bases, and deck hardware. Wet core areas are widespread on older examples and may require extensive deck replacement.
Medium Hull/Deck
The hull liner system used by Irwin is bonded in sections and tends to separate from the hull over time, creating voids that are difficult to access and repair. Flexing in the liner is often audible when the boat moves and indicates adhesion failure.
High Keel
The encapsulated or bolted fin keel on these boats is known to develop weeping around the keel-to-hull joint, and the keel bolt area should be carefully inspected for rust staining, soft laminate, or movement. Keel bolt access is limited from inside the bilge.
High Rigging
The chainplate knees on Irwin 43 CC models are glassed into the interior liner rather than through-bolted to structural bulkheads, and the glass tabbing can fail under load. Inspect all chainplate attachment points carefully for cracking or movement in the surrounding laminate.
Medium Rigging
The center cockpit design uses an internal forestay or running backstay arrangement that often shows wear or improper tensioning by subsequent owners. Verify the integrity of the mast step, as compression loads on the keel-stepped mast can crack the step casting.
Medium Accommodations
The aft owner's cabin under the center cockpit is notorious for water intrusion through the cockpit floor drains and seat locker seals. Teak cockpit sole plugs and drain fittings deteriorate and allow seepage directly into the aft cabin headliner and cabinetry.
Low Accommodations
Irwin used a significant amount of teak interior joinery that is glued and screwed to the liner rather than structurally fastened. Separation of joinery from the liner is common and can obscure evidence of hull liner voids or water intrusion behind panels.
High Electrical
Original wiring on Irwin 43s from the mid-to-late 1980s was often undersized and routed through inaccessible liner cavities. Complete rewiring is commonly required, and original wiring should be treated as a fire risk until inspected by a marine electrician.
Medium Engine
The engine room access on the center cockpit 43 is tight, and the original engine beds are glassed into the liner rather than the hull. Bed delamination and soft engine mounts are a known issue; check for movement or cracking around the engine bed tabbing.

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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
 18.71
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
 30.77
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
 259.44
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
 32.35
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
 1.84
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. 7.98 kn
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. 1,722.56 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
Mast Height (DWL) 58.00 ft / 17.68 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 62
Fuel Capacity 105 gals / 397 L
Water Capacity 180 gals / 681 L
How It Compares

vs. Endeavour 43, Formosa 46, Oceanic 46 Brewer

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
45.5 ft
Endeavour 43
45.3 ft
Formosa 46
45.0 ft
Oceanic 46 Brewer
45.8 ft
LWL
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
35.5 ft
Endeavour 43
35.0 ft
Formosa 46
39.6 ft
Oceanic 46 Brewer
36.5 ft
Beam
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
13.6 ft
Endeavour 43
14.0 ft
Formosa 46
12.9 ft
Oceanic 46 Brewer
13.5 ft
Displacement
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
26 lbs
Endeavour 43
33 lbs
Formosa 46
33 lbs
Oceanic 46 Brewer
33 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
8 lbs
Endeavour 43
12 lbs
Formosa 46
10 lbs
Oceanic 46 Brewer
11 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
1 sq ft
Endeavour 43
—
Formosa 46
911 sq ft
Oceanic 46 Brewer
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
—
Endeavour 43
132 s/nm
Formosa 46
128 s/nm
Oceanic 46 Brewer
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
18.7
Endeavour 43
—
Formosa 46
14.2
Oceanic 46 Brewer
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
30.8 %
Endeavour 43
36.4 %
Formosa 46
—
Oceanic 46 Brewer
34.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
32.4
Endeavour 43
—
Formosa 46
41.0
Oceanic 46 Brewer
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
1.84
Endeavour 43
—
Formosa 46
1.61
Oceanic 46 Brewer
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
259
Endeavour 43
343
Formosa 46
—
Oceanic 46 Brewer
307
Hull Speed
Irwin 43 Cc Mkii ★
8.0 kts
Endeavour 43
—
Formosa 46
8.4 kts
Oceanic 46 Brewer
—
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