Boat Review - Another One.

[clausont]

Well, I am still looking at boats to upgrade to a bigger boat.
I am sure that the Irwin 37 has been run over the coals, but I can't find any thread on it so I will ask (again?).
It will be a long time before we can buy a true cruising boat. Possibly we could get the Ingrid that I have been inquiring about, but it seems to need a lot of work.
Does anyone have an Irwin 37 or experience with one? I realize that they were a lighter built boat and did not necessarily use top of the line equipment and all. I am considering one that has come up for sale. It also needs work being an older boat, but more superficial than deep reconstruction.
That being said, we are not looking at this as a blue water cruiser but more a weekender and possibly taking up to Puget sound or down to Baja at some point. As most of you know, we have a large family and our Cal 2-29 is just too small for this purpose.
Thanks

[Chuck Baier]

If you plan to take the boat from Puget Sound to Baja, you will need to pick your weather very carefully AND be very lucky. That is a blue water passage. If you plan to just sail weekends and on the sound it will probably be OK. If not keep looking since these boats can have serious problems that don't show up just looking at them.

[clausont]

I should have been a little more clear Chuck - I would not plan to go from Puget sound to Baja. We live in Oregon so that is our primary sailing area. Near Coos Bay, Oregon. We would like to sail up to Puget Sound sometime and stay for some weeks or so there and sail back down here to Oregon.
Another possibility would be to slowly make our way to Baja or have the boat delivered and stay for a couple of months there and have the boat delivered back to Oregon.
Mainly, (and most likely) we will just use it for weekending here in Oregon. Possibly harbor hopping some.

[Pblais]

Sometimes it's not the brand but the miles. With used boats you need to look at what shape it's in. Boats with shortcomings tend to show them well after a few years.

When given the choice between two boats the one in better shape usually is the better choice. A lot of Irwins made are still out there doing what normal people do - sail them just like you want to. No, they won't rate high as a blue water boat for a trip to the Baja. I don't see how it disqualifies what you are most serious about doing.

In terms of suitability to purpose there isn't anything you want to do that suggests any structurally sound properly equipped boat that won't break the budget now and over a short period of time won't be a good choice. If the Admiral and crew are happy you just don't need to role the dice more. With a good surveyor you'll get the review that really matters. Once you understand what it will cost you after you buy it you can decide.