Irwin 42 Cutter 1976. Open Ocean?

[p1ersturner]

Hi everyone.
I just bought my first boat. Irwin 42 cutter from 1976.
I havnt been able to find much information on the cutter and was hoping to find some here.

Can she handle the open ocean?

[Calif.Ted]

Probably, if you can handle a 42' cutter and the open ocean, it's been afloat for 42 years already.

[Zzmeyer]

No! Not yet, anyway. You said you just bought your first boat and implied you don't know very much about it. The Irwin is capable to take you anywhere, but only if maintained, equipped and crewed competently. If you had a survey start by doing everything recommended in the report (insurance probably requires it). Generally, if the rigging and sails are greater than 10 years old and the batteries greater than 3 years old I wouldn't go offshore until fixed. Owners often loose interest in maintenance when they decide to sell. Make sure all the fluids, belts and hoses are new/good shape. Take your time. Do a few short trips and then fix everything you break or find broken. Good luck. The Irwin is a very nice production cruiser. I know of a 37 that sailed around the world and the owner died of old age.

[p1ersturner]

Great response. Thank you!
I have many years/projects ahead of me...

[icemate]

42 Irwin Cutter Rig shoud be very good for ocean travel. Just plan ahead as a cutter is usually not as fast. I sailed from NY to Australia in my cutter rigged Nan-Tai (Bob Perry design). After arriving in NZ, rigged boat with more equpment to allow more comfort and ease of handling as I sailed most of the trip solo.
Preperation is key to safety and enjoying the trip. Chart route and make sure to have emergency changes in route if necessary.
Before trip, I changed all hoses, belts, bought extra sails, storm sail which I used often, self steering and made sure I had 3 reefs in the main . This all allowed for rest at night. Enjoy your boat and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did mine.

[Ken Z]

Boat ok, after a inch by inch check, I think you should get some miles in varied conditions.

[B Tegge]

I own a 1973 Irwin 37. Hull no blisters. Been through three hurricanes and one waterspout no damage. The biggest problem i had was bad weather helm under sail. I added a bowsprit/pulpit pushing the head sail out 4.5 feet. I added a stay sail turning her into a cutter from a sloop. I did some research , Irwin offered a sloop , cutter or a ketch. All had the main mast in the same location . The boat is still going strong.

[PuttingDoctor]

Originally Posted by p1ersturner

Hi everyone.
I just bought my first boat. Irwin 42 cutter from 1976.
I havnt been able to find much information on the cutter and was hoping to find some here.

Can she handle the open ocean?

Join us on Facebook at Irwin Sailboats. We’re 1200+ Irwin owners and a very civil group where there aren’t any “dumb questions / asked and answered retorts.”

There are Irwins world wide that have arrived in far off locations under their own power.

See you out there!

[stnick]

Get a Survey , Replace all the standing rigging. Inspect the Shives in the mast head, that they are still fit for use. Replace every hose and belt , Rebed every chainplate replace all the bolts. ! Inspect all your thru hulls. They must work and work fast and easy . No ball valves.
If your going into Blue water your life depends on your equiptment. Enjoy !!

[Gregg927]

My boat is a 43 Irwin, cutter rigged, ketch. She has been a good solid companion. For your starter run, and if you are on the east coast of the USA, I suggest you go to the Bahamas by starting from Key Biscayne (Miami). You will have short passages and, likely, a fair amount of company. You will meet many helpful advisors along the way; that's how cruisers operate, we, generally, love and take care of one another.

[stnick]

Get your coast Guard check in and Out sticker and your Bahama cruising permit . Most you can get on line. And A yellow Q flag, so you can clear Bahamans customs

[Near2KR]

I'd suggest a close look at the mast step in the bilge under the mast compression post. Original is a piece of steel I-beam and the one I'm working on is severely corroded. If corroded, I'd avoid bluewater.

The deck drain tubes thru the bulwarks will leak lots of water into the interior if the seal around them has failed.

[p1ersturner]

Thank you

[p1ersturner]

Great, thank you. Currently in Massachusetts