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Irwin Avanti 42
Designer: Ted Irwin  ·  Builder: Irwin Yachts  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Irwin Avanti 42

Built during Irwin Yachts' active production years, this 42-foot sailboat represents the builder's approach to combining performance-oriented sailing with practical cruising capabilities. The Avanti 42 carries the design DNA typical of late 20th-century American production sailboats, emphasizing comfortable accommodations without sacrificing sailing ability. While detailed specifications remain elusive, the boat's name suggests performance aspirations, and the size indicates serious cruising potential. Irwin Yachts built a reputation for producing well-constructed fiberglass sailboats that appealed to sailors seeking reliable platforms for both coastal exploration and longer passages. The company's boats generally featured practical layouts optimized for live-aboard comfort and extended cruising. Given its size and pedigree, the Avanti 42 likely offers the versatility to handle diverse sailing applications, from weekend coastal sailing to more ambitious offshore passages. The boat would appeal to sailors seeking a mature design with proven construction methods, though potential buyers should expect the typical maintenance considerations that come with older fiberglass sailboats. For those researching this model, connecting with existing owners through sailing forums may provide valuable insights into real-world performance and reliability characteristics.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.50 ft / 12.95 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.08 ft / 10.69 m
Beam 13.33 ft / 4.06 m
Max Draft 4.33 ft / 1.32 m
Displacement 26,000.00 lb / 11,793 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 852.00 ft² / 79.15 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Irwin
Builder Irwin Yachts
First Built 1975
Last Built 1978
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
15.59
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
34.22
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
1.8
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. 7.94
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
How It Compares

vs. Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee, Pearson 424 Ketch, Polaris 43

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
42.5 ft
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
42.4 ft
Pearson 424 Ketch
42.3 ft
Polaris 43
42.7 ft
LWL
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
35.1 ft
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
30.0 ft
Pearson 424 Ketch
33.7 ft
Polaris 43
35.1 ft
Beam
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
13.3 ft
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
12.1 ft
Pearson 424 Ketch
13.0 ft
Polaris 43
12.5 ft
Displacement
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
26 lbs
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
23 lbs
Pearson 424 Ketch
21 lbs
Polaris 43
24 lbs
Ballast
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
8 lbs
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
9 lbs
Pearson 424 Ketch
7 lbs
Polaris 43
8 lbs
Sail Area
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
852 sq ft
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
Pearson 424 Ketch
723 sq ft
Polaris 43
860 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
15.6
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
Pearson 424 Ketch
15.3
Polaris 43
16.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
38.3 %
Pearson 424 Ketch
36.4 %
Polaris 43
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
34.2
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
Pearson 424 Ketch
29.4
Polaris 43
35.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
1.80
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
Pearson 424 Ketch
1.89
Polaris 43
1.72
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
388
Pearson 424 Ketch
245
Polaris 43
Hull Speed
Irwin Avanti 42 ★
7.9 kts
Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee
Pearson 424 Ketch
7.8 kts
Polaris 43
7.9 kts
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