Any yeas, nays, comments on an Irwin 42 center cockpit ketch?
Thanks
Gordon

Gordon inscribed in red ink for all to know:
Any yeas, nays, comments on an Irwin 42 center cockpit ketch?
Thanks
Gordon



Not on the 42, but a neighbor has a 53 that is built like a brick
s#$%house. And sails well too (it is a keel/centerboard). The 53 is a
nice boat...

bob

Gordon wrote:
Any yeas, nays, comments on an Irwin 42 center cockpit ketch?
Thanks
Gordon

Jack Horner has a review of the Irwin 37
http://www.boatus.com/jackhornor/sail/Irwin37.htm
Mike

In article . com,
"Mike" wrote:

Gordon wrote:
Any yeas, nays, comments on an Irwin 42 center cockpit ketch?
Thanks
Gordon

Jack Horner has a review of the Irwin 37
http://www.boatus.com/jackhornor/sail/Irwin37.htm
Mike


That may be the most negative review I've seen Jack Horner write.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Jere Lull wrote:

In article . com,
"Mike" wrote:

Gordon wrote:
Any yeas, nays, comments on an Irwin 42 center cockpit ketch?
Thanks
Gordon

What year?

Jack Horner has a review of the Irwin 37
http://www.boatus.com/jackhornor/sail/Irwin37.htm
Mike


That may be the most negative review I've seen Jack Horner write.

I am prejudiced against Irwin (without having any real experience with them
at all) because in the mid 70s, CSY contracted with Irwin to build boats
for them. They build the first two or three CSYs. They did such a bad job
and cut so many corners that CSY bought them out of the contract.

There are Irwins which are about 40 feet that look almost exactly like CSY
44s (center cockpit) and it is only when you look at them hard that you
can see the difference. The CSY was a boat designed for living aboard in
the Caribbean, so they have a lot of good storage, and I presume the CSY
type Irwins are about the same.

CSY didn't have a lot of ketches - only the pilothouses and two of the
walk-throughs. The pilothouses are not really center cockpit.



grandma Rosalie

S/V RosalieAnn, Leonardtown, MD
CSY 44 WO #156
http://home.mindspring.com/~gmbeasley/id1.html

Talking to a very knowledgeable surveyor here, without looking at the
particular boat, says that Irwins were roomy and make great liveaboards, but
were not to be trusted offshore. They were a cheaply made boat to fit a
particular market and not for the serious cruiser.
That seems to fit what many of you have said.
Thanks all
Gordon

Gordon wrote:
Talking to a very knowledgeable surveyor here, without looking at the
particular boat, says that Irwins were roomy and make great liveaboards, but
were not to be trusted offshore. They were a cheaply made boat to fit a
particular market and not for the serious cruiser.
That seems to fit what many of you have said.
Thanks all
Gordon


Did the surveyor say why Irwins "were not to be trusted offshore"? Are
they prone to breaking up and sinking, thru hulls fall out, mast break
off? What makes them dangerous offshore? Just like to know his reasons.
krj

On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:21:56 -0700, "Gordon"
wrote:

Talking to a very knowledgeable surveyor here, without looking at the
particular boat, says that Irwins were roomy and make great liveaboards, but
were not to be trusted offshore. They were a cheaply made boat to fit a
particular market and not for the serious cruiser.
That seems to fit what many of you have said.

They were actually designed and layed out for the Carribean charter
business. Cruising the BVIs, etc. They're great for that. For
instance, my 37 CC had two complete and private staterooms, each with
a head with shower. And a large main salon, large galley (3 burner
stove, oven, large sink) had 2 large coolers and a fridge, ample
storage space, etc. etc. You have full size walkthrough passage from
the inside to the aft stateroom, which a lot of center cockpit boats
that size don't have (you have to go through the cockpit on a lot of
them.)

It was set up so two couples or a family with kids could cruise
comfortably for a few weeks on the calm seas of the Carribean. And it
does that very well. It's also very comfortable and perfect for the
Chesapeake and for coastal cruising. But I wouldn't want to circumnav
in mine without some modifications/upgrades.

Steve

Jack Horner has a review of the Irwin 37

There is a world of difference between a 37 and a 42 (and larger).

Gordon wrote:
Any yeas, nays, comments on an Irwin 42 center cockpit ketch?
Thanks
Gordon


I don't know specifically about the 42, but I borrowed a 30 for a
summer some years back and it was the worst built boat I had ever
sailed, bar none. We would joke about which part of it was going to
fall off next, and it was only 8 years old.

I had another friend with a larger Irwin (a 37 maybe?) and he went
through similar problems, though not quite as bad.

Normally I don't bad-mouth other boats, but I'm willing to make an
exception for Irwins.