An Irwin 40, berthed in my marina, was dismasted Saturday in 20 kn
winds while tacking. An inspection of the hull today revealed the
following: This Irwin 40's chainplates consisted of a SS plate bonded
low in the hull with 5200. Connected to that is a rod and turnbuckle
which penetrates the deck to a tie down fitting for the shrouds. The
port chain plate was ripped through the deck and disappered with the
rig.

There is no mechanical connection other than the tie fitting screwed
to the deck. The entire strength of the chain plate is in the shear
bond of the 5200!

I know that Irwins do not have the best reputation, but I find it hard
to believe that this level of engineering was acceptable to the
industry, sailing pros, reviewers, insurers, etc. at the time.

Marc wrote:
An Irwin 40, berthed in my marina, was dismasted Saturday in 20 kn
winds while tacking. An inspection of the hull today revealed the
following: This Irwin 40's chainplates consisted of a SS plate bonded
low in the hull with 5200. Connected to that is a rod and turnbuckle
which penetrates the deck to a tie down fitting for the shrouds. The
port chain plate was ripped through the deck and disappered with the
rig.

There is no mechanical connection other than the tie fitting screwed
to the deck. The entire strength of the chain plate is in the shear
bond of the 5200!

I know that Irwins do not have the best reputation, but I find it hard
to believe that this level of engineering was acceptable to the
industry, sailing pros, reviewers, insurers, etc. at the time.

Maybe they thought nobody would find out? Maybe it *was* supposed to be
thru-bolted but it was a boat that Neal Warren was working on.

Actually I'd be surprised if it was really fastened with 5200. There are
other industrial goops that are much cheaper.

What other damage occured to the boat?

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Good point. When I posted this, Neal's and Jaxie's connection to Irwin
hadn't occured to me.

There was collateral damage to the starboard stanchions and lifelines,
starboard cabin , starboard deck ,toerail and hull.







On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 06:45:27 -0400, DSK wrote:

Marc wrote:
An Irwin 40, berthed in my marina, was dismasted Saturday in 20 kn
winds while tacking. An inspection of the hull today revealed the
following: This Irwin 40's chainplates consisted of a SS plate bonded
low in the hull with 5200. Connected to that is a rod and turnbuckle
which penetrates the deck to a tie down fitting for the shrouds. The
port chain plate was ripped through the deck and disappered with the
rig.

There is no mechanical connection other than the tie fitting screwed
to the deck. The entire strength of the chain plate is in the shear
bond of the 5200!

I know that Irwins do not have the best reputation, but I find it hard
to believe that this level of engineering was acceptable to the
industry, sailing pros, reviewers, insurers, etc. at the time.

Maybe they thought nobody would find out? Maybe it *was* supposed to be
thru-bolted but it was a boat that Neal Warren was working on.

Actually I'd be surprised if it was really fastened with 5200. There are
other industrial goops that are much cheaper.

What other damage occured to the boat?

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Marc wrote:
Good point. When I posted this, Neal's and Jaxie's connection to Irwin
hadn't occured to me.

There was collateral damage to the starboard stanchions and lifelines,
starboard cabin , starboard deck ,toerail and hull.

Maybe it would be possible for you to post some pics of the results?

DSK

I'll try to get some pics, but the owner might take it amiss. We'll
see.


On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 12:17:19 -0400, DSK wrote:

Marc wrote:
Good point. When I posted this, Neal's and Jaxie's connection to Irwin
hadn't occured to me.

There was collateral damage to the starboard stanchions and lifelines,
starboard cabin , starboard deck ,toerail and hull.

Maybe it would be possible for you to post some pics of the results?

DSK

I don't believe you. You have to be lying.

Bart Senior

Marc wrote

An Irwin 40, berthed in my marina, was dismasted Saturday in 20 kn
winds while tacking. An inspection of the hull today revealed the
following: This Irwin 40's chainplates consisted of a SS plate bonded
low in the hull with 5200.

I could believe anything about an Irwin. I chartered one for a season - a
friend was too busy to use his and he said if I paid the yard bill I could use
it. The boat was only 8 years old but things where falling off it on a daily
basis. It was a running joke with us that you couldn't grab anything without
the feeling that it was going to come off in your hand.

The most annoying was a baffle board in the water tank under the V that came
loose and kept banging against the hull. Short of rebuilding the tank, (which
the owner did the next season) there was nothing to do other than abandon the
forward cabin.

The following year, the owner hit a rock. The outside damage was a dented keel
and a bend rudder shaft, but inside the engine came off its mounts and the
exhaust system disintegrated.

In virtually every regard, the Irwin was ill designed and poorly built. It was
not surprise that Neal helped build them, and if the rumor is true, Jax owns
one.



"Bart Senior" wrote in message
et...
I don't believe you. You have to be lying.

Bart Senior

Marc wrote

An Irwin 40, berthed in my marina, was dismasted Saturday in 20 kn
winds while tacking. An inspection of the hull today revealed the
following: This Irwin 40's chainplates consisted of a SS plate bonded
low in the hull with 5200.