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Irwin 52 2
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Irwin 52 2

Built during Irwin Yachts' active production years, this 52-foot cruising sailboat represents the company's commitment to creating comfortable, seaworthy vessels for serious cruising sailors. The design reflects the classic American production boat philosophy of the era, emphasizing spacious accommodations and stable sailing characteristics over pure performance. Irwin Yachts developed a strong reputation for building solid, dependable cruising boats that could handle extended offshore passages while providing the creature comforts that make long-term cruising enjoyable. The company's designs typically featured robust construction methods and practical layouts that appealed to couples and families planning extended voyages or liveaboard lifestyles. This model would have incorporated the design principles that made Irwin boats popular among serious cruising sailors: generous interior volume, thoughtful deck layouts, and the structural integrity needed for ocean crossings. While not built for racing, these boats earned respect for their ability to cover miles safely and comfortably in various sea conditions. For sailors considering bluewater cruising or extended coastal voyaging, boats from this builder generally offer good value in the used boat market, combining proven seaworthiness with the space needed for extended time aboard.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 52.00 ft / 15.85 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 46.00 ft / 14.02 m
Beam 15.33 ft / 4.67 m
Max Draft 12.33 ft / 3.76 m
Min Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Displacement 44,500.00 lb / 20,185 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,130.00 ft² / 104.98 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts
First Built 1982
Last Built 1988
Related Sailboats Irwin 52 · Irwin 52 3 · Irwin 52 4 · Tayana 52 · Endeavour 52
Owner Reviews

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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
14.46
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
37.95
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
1.73
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. 9.09
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
2.48
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. 2.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 56.33
J (Foretriangle Base) 22.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 59.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 20.0
SA Fore 619.63
SA Main 590.0
How It Compares

vs. Endeavour 52, Irwin 52, Irwin 52 3, Irwin 52 4, Tayana 52

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 52 2 ★
52.0 ft
Endeavour 52
52.3 ft
Irwin 52
52.0 ft
Irwin 52 3
52.0 ft
Irwin 52 4
52.0 ft
Tayana 52
52.4 ft
LWL
Irwin 52 2 ★
46.0 ft
Endeavour 52
42.3 ft
Irwin 52
44.0 ft
Irwin 52 3
44.0 ft
Irwin 52 4
44.0 ft
Tayana 52
42.1 ft
Beam
Irwin 52 2 ★
15.3 ft
Endeavour 52
15.0 ft
Irwin 52
15.3 ft
Irwin 52 3
15.3 ft
Irwin 52 4
15.3 ft
Tayana 52
15.0 ft
Displacement
Irwin 52 2 ★
44 lbs
Endeavour 52
35 lbs
Irwin 52
55 lbs
Irwin 52 3
46 lbs
Irwin 52 4
46 lbs
Tayana 52
38 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 52 2 ★
Endeavour 52
14 lbs
Irwin 52
16 lbs
Irwin 52 3
Irwin 52 4
Tayana 52
14 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 52 2 ★
1 sq ft
Endeavour 52
1 sq ft
Irwin 52
1 sq ft
Irwin 52 3
1 sq ft
Irwin 52 4
1 sq ft
Tayana 52
1 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 52 2 ★
Endeavour 52
Irwin 52
117 s/nm
Irwin 52 3
Irwin 52 4
105 s/nm
Tayana 52
99 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 52 2 ★
14.5
Endeavour 52
16.7
Irwin 52
15.2
Irwin 52 3
14.6
Irwin 52 4
17.7
Tayana 52
16.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 52 2 ★
Endeavour 52
41.4 %
Irwin 52
29.3 %
Irwin 52 3
Irwin 52 4
Tayana 52
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 52 2 ★
38.0
Endeavour 52
32.4
Irwin 52
48.3
Irwin 52 3
40.9
Irwin 52 4
40.9
Tayana 52
35.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 52 2 ★
1.73
Endeavour 52
1.84
Irwin 52
1.62
Irwin 52 3
1.71
Irwin 52 4
1.71
Tayana 52
1.78
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 52 2 ★
Endeavour 52
207
Irwin 52
288
Irwin 52 3
Irwin 52 4
243
Tayana 52
Hull Speed
Irwin 52 2 ★
9.1 kts
Endeavour 52
8.7 kts
Irwin 52
8.9 kts
Irwin 52 3
8.9 kts
Irwin 52 4
8.9 kts
Tayana 52
8.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 52 2 ★
2.5
Endeavour 52
2.6
Irwin 52
1.5
Irwin 52 3
2.0
Irwin 52 4
2.3
Tayana 52
2.3
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