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Irwin 54
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts/American Yachts  ·  First built: 1988
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About the Irwin 54

Built during Irwin Yachts' heyday in the 1980s, this 54-footer represents the company's venture into larger cruising sailboats designed for serious blue-water sailing. The Irwin 54 emerged from Ted Irwin's design philosophy of creating robust, practical cruising boats that could handle extended ocean passages while maintaining comfortable living spaces below deck. This substantial cruiser features the solid fiberglass construction and reliable build quality that became hallmarks of the Irwin brand. The design emphasizes seaworthiness and comfort over racing performance, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and offshore passagemaking. The boat's generous beam provides exceptional interior volume, creating spacious accommodations that rival much larger vessels. The Irwin 54's moderate displacement and conservative sail plan contribute to its reputation as a steady, predictable performer in various conditions. While not particularly fast by modern standards, the boat compensates with its ability to carry substantial provisions and equipment for extended cruising. The design reflects the era's focus on creating capable live-aboard cruisers that could take their owners anywhere in comfort and safety, making it an attractive option for those seeking a proven blue-water platform.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 54.00 ft / 16.46 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 44.00 ft / 13.41 m
Beam 15.33 ft / 4.67 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 46,000.00 lb / 20,865 kg
Ballast 16,000.00 lb / 7,257 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,255.00 ft² / 116.59 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Staysail Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts/American Yachts
First Built 1988
Owner Reviews

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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
78
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
15.71
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
39.9
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
1.72
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. 8.89
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
1.88
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) 56.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 21.17
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.17
E (Mainsail Foot) 19.0
SA Fore 598.05
SA Main 476.62
How It Compares

vs. Alden 54, Endeavour 54, Hallberg Rassy 53

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin 54 ★
54.0 ft
Alden 54
54.1 ft
Endeavour 54
54.5 ft
Hallberg Rassy 53
LWL
Irwin 54 ★
44.0 ft
Alden 54
40.0 ft
Endeavour 54
43.8 ft
Hallberg Rassy 53
43.8 ft
Beam
Irwin 54 ★
15.3 ft
Alden 54
14.3 ft
Endeavour 54
15.8 ft
Hallberg Rassy 53
15.2 ft
Displacement
Irwin 54 ★
46 lbs
Alden 54
36 lbs
Endeavour 54
55 lbs
Hallberg Rassy 53
50 lbs
Ballast
Irwin 54 ★
16 lbs
Alden 54
15 lbs
Endeavour 54
13 lbs
Hallberg Rassy 53
19 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin 54 ★
1 sq ft
Alden 54
1 sq ft
Endeavour 54
1 sq ft
Hallberg Rassy 53
1 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Irwin 54 ★
78 s/nm
Alden 54
60 s/nm
Endeavour 54
Hallberg Rassy 53
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin 54 ★
15.7
Alden 54
17.8
Endeavour 54
11.3
Hallberg Rassy 53
16.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin 54 ★
Alden 54
41.1 %
Endeavour 54
23.6 %
Hallberg Rassy 53
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin 54 ★
39.9
Alden 54
36.8
Endeavour 54
46.0
Hallberg Rassy 53
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin 54 ★
1.72
Alden 54
1.73
Endeavour 54
1.66
Hallberg Rassy 53
1.65
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin 54 ★
Alden 54
254
Endeavour 54
291
Hallberg Rassy 53
Hull Speed
Irwin 54 ★
8.9 kts
Alden 54
8.5 kts
Endeavour 54
8.9 kts
Hallberg Rassy 53
8.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Irwin 54 ★
1.9
Alden 54
1.9
Endeavour 54
Hallberg Rassy 53
1.9
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