Irwin 39??

jpasha · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007

I tried this once before but....

I am thinking about purchasing a 1980 Irwin 39 Citation, keel/centerboard design. anyone have input on this boat in terms of performance (I have never sailed a keel/centerboard boat). pros/cons? can it point as well as a fin keel boat, is it as fast?

we are looking for a sturdy, fast, comfortable boat to spend a week or so at a time cruising maine and maybe down to the cape. we may also live aboard for a few months in the summers. we want to feel confident in it for coastal cruising.

Thanks for any input.

JimsCAL · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2007

A fellow in my yacht club has owned one of these for about 20 years. He races and cruises it. A decent boat, similar quality to a Catalina of the same vintage. His boat rates PHRF about 144, but it takes a good blow and a longer race for him to be competetive. Not a good light air boat. He has taken his class once at Block Island Race Week and once in the Around Long Island Race. Lots of room down below.

jpasha · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007

Thanks for the info. I am still not sure about this boat. the keel centerboard is a bit of an unknown and I have heard that they are difficult to control under power in reverse. I am pretty concerned about its sailing characteristics, but you are right, there is a great deal of space down below...we'll see how it goes.