Irwin 38

[a64pilot]

looking at an 84 that is well within my price range, seems to be a well kept boat, well loved, owner is old and ill is why it's selling. Comes with tender, davits, solar and several other things I've been looking for. Decent tankage etc. Mission is weekend / coastal sailing only, biggest passage would maybe be from Florida to the Bahamas. Chain plates concern me as they can't be inspected as far as I can tell, they are glassed into the hull. Engine access is poor, Perkins seems strong, but does leak a little oil, from a main seal. Is that sort of normal of an old Perkins?
Boat is cheap enough so that I would have a large cushion if needed to replace things, but it seems well kept, I know the hull to deck joint is poorly done (screws) but I can't find any evidence of a leak.
Is an Irwin something I shouldn't even consider? Sails like a dog? Or would it maybe be a good starter boat?

[Dulcesuenos]

A problem all Irwins had are hatch and window leaks. Havent seen an older one that didnt have everything below the windows and ports rotted away. Even if cheap I would pay a surveyor to do a structural survey and give you there professional opinion. Poor engine access is not.fun, how much oil does it leak?

[a64pilot]

I'll look harder, but I didn't see any evidence, the windows have been replaced with glass sometime in the past, maybe because of leaks like you say.
I need to know what issues these boats have, all machines have weak links and of course a boat is a machine

[captain465]

Are you considering a 38 ft center cockpit boat, or an aft cockpit boat?

[Dulcesuenos]

Biggest concern is leaks rotting things you cant or dont see. Other thsn thst they are a decent coastal bahamas.boat for the money. Not sure what they are asking we looked at one in Hudson Fl had roller furling everything, new eng, swim platform, new rigging & electronics for 30k big cc ketch but had some scary signs of boat twisting so we declined to offer. Id look for a morgan 41oi instead but agsin depends on his price.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by captain465

Are you considering a 38 ft center cockpit boat, or an aft cockpit boat?

Center Cockpit

[captain465]

I have been living aboard my 38 center cockpit sloop for over 13 years now. I think that I am in a position to answer many of your possible questions.
I don't understand your comment about engine access being "poor". Unless the PO has made modifications, there should be 6 access doors into the engine compartment. 3 on the port side, 2 on the starboard side, and on aft through the aft stateroom.
The boat sails well. and is a good candidate for Bahamas and Keys cruising.
If you have any specific questions, I will be pleased to answer them.

[a64pilot]

I guess by poor I mean compared to some others, that the whole engine cover is removable and you can sit and not have to work through holes.
I'm looking more than anything else for the weak links to the design, known problems, what to look for specifically to determine the condition of the boat. Trying to not make an expensive mistake.
Tanks are what material? They are essentially "made into the boat" and to replace one is therefore extremely expensive? History of problems, or trouble free?
Hull issues? Deck coring?

[a64pilot]

Don't know about how much oil it leaks, but it has an aluminum cooking pan under the engine, must be there for something.
I'm looking at several boats, most are easily eliminated. This one is attractive even after the first look. I don't mind a little oil seep, especially if that's normal for a Perkins, but this engine doesn't look to be easily removed so I'd rather avoid problems if possible.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I guess by poor I mean compared to some others, that the whole engine cover is removable and you can sit and not have to work through holes.
I'm looking more than anything else for the weak links to the design, known problems, what to look for specifically to determine the condition of the boat. Trying to not make an expensive mistake.
Tanks are what material? They are essentially "made into the boat" and to replace one is therefore extremely expensive? History of problems, or trouble free?
Hull issues? Deck coring?

Thats not bad, some monos you can only access the front of a motor from inside and have to scurry thru a cockpit storage cover and crawl down inside to reach the rest.

[DeborahLee]

Check supports on sides of fuel tank they had 3" ones that use to rupture tank and tank would have to be replaced. Finally went to full length supports.

[a64pilot]

thanks that is the kind of info I'm looking for

[Cheechako]

many Perkins will drip just a little bit.. not much but always a few drips there. The pan may just be to keep oil out of the bilge and thus the environment. Newer boats are required to have a "catch pan".

[edakira]

Hello Captain465

I recently purchased a 1989 38 CC sloop and would love to ask you a few questions about your experiences w yours. Please let me know if that might be possible thanks
--Ed

[youngson]

the irwin 38 definitely doesn't sail like a dog its pretty quick the PHRF racing handicap is between 108 and 144 depending on the model, its not incredibly fast by any means but its quick!