Opinions on Irwin 34 as Coastal Cruiser

[Jaspell]

I am presently on the "5 year plan" with an O'Day Mariner cutting my teeth sailing a sloop and gaining experience. I found a 1985 Irwin 34 locally which has a beautifully seductive salon and an equally seductive price tag of 8000. I'm not seriously in the market for a cruiser yet but this seems to be one to add to my look at when I'm ready list which now is limited to Hinkleys and Piersons.

My question is this: does anyone have any experience with Irwins as a coastal cruiser? I would be looking at cruising Downeast Maine, the ICW, and the Carribean. These boats seems to give you a lot of bang for the buck but I read one review from a guy about the deck separating from the hull in heavy weather which caused me serious reservations. I want to avoid buying a "Bayliner" of sailboats.

Thoughts? Other suggestions for nice aft cockpit cruisers with helm steering that suit the cruising life that price out nicely for early/mid 80's models?

thank you in advance.

Jim

[seacap]

I would bet there are serious problems with an Irwin for 8K. So be VERY careful. To many other good boats around to consider. If it was me I would not put an Irwin on my list.

I skippered 3 Irwin 65's over the years in the Caribbean. Took one across the Atlantic. When we went to go a second time we ended up in a yard because the bow had delaminated. I also had a rudder fall off at one point.

[Jaspell]

Thank you skipper. That is kind of the sense I got about the brand when I read another owner's review. I then found an online archived version of the 34 footer brochure. It was interesting---they spent a lot of time singing the praises of the Yanmar diesel they put in the boat but not a single paragraph mentioned the seaworthiness or construction of the hull or the boat's offshor capabilities.

Jim

[steve_hendry]

An Irwin 34 would make a pretty good coastal cruiser, but you need to find out why the asking price is so low.

Irwin Yachts has info (like owners' manuals) as well as a link to Irwins for sale. I saw several 34s for sale, all for over $20K.

To be an Irwin owner, you've got to be suspicious (so you'll find the problems) and handy (to fix them).

[topfish]

Is that boat listed on line? That price is really to good to be true! I like the Irwin and would prefer the model with a shoel draft c/b if I was sailing the keys and the carribean. They also make a model with a deep fin keel. Good luck!