IRWIN 23
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 23 ft |
| LWL | 18.5 ft |
| Beam | 8 ft |
| Draft | 5.75 ft/ 2.42 ft min |
| Displacement | 3,200 lb |
| Ballast | 1,500.2 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.8 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 28.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 9.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 25 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12.25 ft |
| FLforestay | 9.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 300.8 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 135.4 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 230.1 sq ft |
Engine
| Commonly | Perkins, Yanmar, Westerbeke, Vetus, Ford |
About the IRWIN 23
The Irwin 23 is a compact masthead sloop designed by Ted Irwin and built by Irwin Yacht & Marine Corporation (USA) in 1968. With a displacement of 3200.0 lb and a beam of 8.0 ft, this vessel represents a specific era of American trailerable yacht design, though the exact number of hulls built remains unconfirmed.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruising and trailerable weekend getaways, appealing to owners who prioritize ease of transport and storage over long-range offshore capabilities.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 3200.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.17, the Irwin 23 is primarily a coastal cruiser with limited bluewater capability, relying on its full/long keel for stability rather than heavy offshore protection.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels from this era include the O'Day 23 and Pearson 23, which share similar trailerable dimensions and masthead sloop configurations, making them direct competitors in the small cruiser market.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
13 listings · boat years 1967–1989 · median $6,500
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 23ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
11 reported issues across 6 systems for the IRWIN 23, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a IRWIN 23? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 11 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your IRWIN 23?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Perkins, Yanmar, Westerbeke, Vetus — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the IRWIN 23
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…