Sad end to an Irwin 52 in Panama City Bch bay

[wathey]

Just providing a link to a few pics just prior to and after the sinking last week of a beautiful Irwin 52. There was a squall that piped up over 40kts. I have zero idea how the boat went down and will refrain from conjecture given I was not there. Very unfortunate, the boat looks bristol for her age. Powerful reminder that it all can head south in an instant on the water.

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbi...312&type=3&d=m
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214177889599809&set=a.10214025345 906312&type=3&d=m

[Training Wheels]

Interesting, the pontoon boat seems to be doing fine.

[roverhi]

[QUOTE=wathey;3182907]Just providing a link to a few pics just prior to and after the sinking last week of a beautiful Irwin 52. There was a squall that piped up over 40kts. I have zero idea how the boat went down and will refrain from conjecture given I was not there. Very unfortunate, the boat looks bristol for her age. Powerful reminder that it all can head south in an instant on the water.

Wondering why he didn't reef the Genoa?? A 130% plus genoa was a bit much sail to be carrying in that wind.

[yachtsman]

So sad. So close to the shore...

[sengland]

Looks like the roller reefing was part way, maybe got jammed? Regardles a mono should pop back up if it got knocked over, would love to know what happened. Maybe got pushed into rocks.... seems pretty close to show in such weather.

[barnakiel]

Her fore sail seems backed or else the sheet trapped.


Perhaps she got downflooded ? An open hatch, etc?



b.

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by sengland

Looks like the roller reefing was part way, maybe got jammed? Regardles a mono should pop back up if it got knocked over, would love to know what happened. Maybe got pushed into rocks.... seems pretty close to show in such weather.

Not really any rocks within a few hundred miles of there in any direction unless they're imported.

[Singularity]

If you click on the FB link you can view more pictures...

[s/v Jedi]

That’s how Irwin got the reputation of “cruiser killer”. They are paper thin and tend to sink fast.

[river251]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

That’s how Irwin got the reputation of “cruiser killer”. They are paper thin and tend to sink fast.

Is there an efficient way for the less knowledgeable to learn which boats have which reputations?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by river251

Is there an efficient way for the less knowledgeable to learn which boats have which reputations?

Catalina smile is the gap between hull and keel but at least it doesn’t fall off like with some other boats. I mix some brands up so correct me ifI’m wrong but I believe it is Bavaria that looses their keels?
Beneteau are Bendy (but okay) and Hunter are flimsy as well.

Built like a tank: Contest, Halberg Rassy, Swan, Oyster. Most of these are too heavy for my liking.

[river251]

From my reading, the ones that have problems are what are called "production" boats. It seems like the solid brands you mention are the true blue water boats by most opinions?

Why is weight a problem? I thought that is good for crossing oceans because they can cut through big waves.

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Catalina smile is the gap between hull and keel but at least it doesn’t fall off like with some other boats. I mix some brands up so correct me ifI’m wrong but I believe it is Bavaria that looses their keels?
Beneteau are Bendy (but okay) and Hunter are flimsy as well.

Built like a tank: Contest, Halberg Rassy, Swan, Oyster. Most of these are too heavy for my liking.

[HeinSdL]

Originally Posted by river251

From my reading, the ones that have problems are what are called "production" boats. It seems like the solid brands you mention are the true blue water boats by most opinions?

Why is weight a problem? I thought that is good for crossing oceans because they can cut through big waves.

Well.... there are MANY production boats out there so chances are higher that you'll hear of problems. A keel attached to a well looked after production boat will not fall off. Once any boat starts getting slammed aground repeatedly then structurally things start to go wrong eventually.

However, the galvanized grid lying in the bottom of my boat connecting keel, mast and shrouds together was a factor for me in choosing my boat. So the hull is no longer responsible for bearing those loads and only the loads produced by the fore and backstays (plus sheets, running rigging) is still transmitted by the hull.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Catalina smile is the gap between hull and keel but at least it doesn’t fall off like with some other boats. I mix some brands up so correct me ifI’m wrong but I believe it is Bavaria that looses their keels?
Beneteau are Bendy (but okay) and Hunter are flimsy as well.

Built like a tank: Contest, Halberg Rassy, Swan, Oyster. Most of these are too heavy for my liking.

The Bavaria incident was on a Match 35, one of their club racing yachts, rather than the crusing range. Cheeky Rafiki was a Beneteau 40.1 that had been repeatedly run aground and repaired at least once.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by river251

Is there an efficient way for the less knowledgeable to learn which boats have which reputations?

Yes,,Any boat brand you are interested , just Google search the brand and model and try just the brand with "problems" "delamination" "reviews" "osmosis" " sinking" you get the idea. Googling Irwin and almost any of these will lead you to alot of threads on issues. Most boats will have something, but you'll get a good idea of what's good out there and what's not.