Opinions, Irwin 43 Center Cockpit

[charley]

My wife has finally agreed that we can sell everything and move aboard (A lot of snow has help the decision). We are in the early stages of looking, I have seen several Irwin's for sale that look to be big enough for our little family and would probably fit the bill as well as in my price range. I would just be doing some coastal and a little island hoping, when time permitted.
Any info from owners or previous owners would be greatly appreciated.

[dcstrng]

Should be no shortage if information on the Irwin 43’ for the purposes you intend – I believe those were exactly what she was designed to do… I lived aboard a 42’ for some years – no raised poop-deck, smaller aft cabin than a 43’ but a huge lazaretto and the more or less standard Irwin underbody and sailing qualities…

Pluses of the type: Generally very forgiving under sail and power; like a freight train on a beam-reach (but then so are most boats) roomy and spacious below decks for its length; fiberglass generally average or above average for the era; luxurious head/shower availability for a boat this size; galley reasonably useful underway, but sink under side-deck on the 42’s only drained well on one tack; accommodates dinghy davits very nicely; good separation between owner and guests; overall a decent quality vessel if it has received a modicum of care.

Minuses: The hull liner is a bear to work around for almost anything one wants to do; the engine “room” (at least on the 42’ was more like a dungeon – reasonable access with the panels off, but not a place you’d want to inhabit indefinitely while in a seaway; no genuine sea-berths, although the settees could serve the purpose with weatherboards; anything electrical is suspect – on my 42’ eventually replace the entire 110volt and 90% of the 12volt items (see hull-liner comment); thru-hulls (at least on the 42’) seemed to have been purchased from the lowest bidder, check carefully; not all deck hardware inspires confidence – for instance the use of snap-shackle snatch-block for turning blocks on the heavily loaded 5/8”+ jib sheets; overall the manufacture, hardware and assembly seemed not quite at the level of the design.

Overall: A pretty good boat for what I used it for; coastal/Bay sailing and liveaboard… was never cramped below with a couple and two dogs, as well as occasional long-term live-aboard guests… the ketch rig is entirely manageable short handed without furling gear, although most will have it. Even the shoal draft model (mine was a centerboard, but I rarely dropped the board) pointed well, and could pinch up remarkably when I needed to -- and it has to be one of the easiest boats of that size to dock… bow sprit makes anchor handling a breeze, wide decks are confidence inspiring… the amount of Plexiglas and (seemingly) undersized standing rigging would keep me out of the high-latitudes (but of course the mere thought of it suffices, so not a big deal). Overall, a secure and comfortable vessel, worthy to contemplate for what you have in mind …

[charley]

Thanks DC, just the info that I was in search of.
"anything electrical is suspect"
I suspect anything 20 years or so is going to be.
The though of another winter kinda like what I have had so far will keep me down south for a long time.

[irwinsailor]

You may already have this site but....Irwin Yachts

[skipmac]

Have no specific experience with the Irwin 43 but can offer opinions on the Irwin line in general. They are very roomy, comfortable liveaboards and a lot of boat for the money, but they are not built for serious offshore sailing. If you truly plan on island hopping the Irwin should do and with a little "upgrading" you can make the boat a bit safer and more reliable.

I would check the steering system carefully including the wheel and pedestal, all pulleys and cables. Also I would check cleats (especially anchor cleats) and other deck hardware for proper installation with good backing plates or similar reinforcement. I have friends that did deliveries on Irwins in the past that experienced failures in these areas.

If you do go offshore think about reinforing the large windows.

Good sailing.

Skip