BoatsIrwin Yachts 52-2

Irwin Yachts 52-2

Cutter · Keel/centreboard · 1982–1988

A Ted Irwin-designed cutter with a centerboard keel, offering a high comfort ratio for stable long-distance cruising

Designed by Ted Irwin.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.

See her sail

The Irwin Yachts 52-2, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Be The Captain

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a narrow beam gives 38 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 38
CoastalBluewater

1.73 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.73
LightHeavy

204 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 204
EasygoingPowered-up

15.5 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 15.5

A capable offshore cruiser with an easy motion when the sea gets up.

  • Heavier than ~84% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~95% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~82% of boats her size on file

Compared with 179 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cutter
Ratios
SA / displacement
15.5
Displacement / length
204.1
Comfort ratio
38.0
Capsize screening
1.73
Hull speed
9.1 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2520
Hull
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1982–1988
Designer
Ted Irwin
Builder
Irwin Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Irwin Yachts 5416.46 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA 16.46-metre staysail ketch with a 39.9 comfort ratio, built since 1988 for stable, long-range cruising
Bestevaer 56ST17.58 mSame hull family1.7 m longerA Dykstra-designed aluminum lifting-keel cruiser built for serious offshore exploration and shoal-water access
Morgan Yachts Out Island 5115.70 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA heavy-displacement staysail ketch with a keel-centerboard configuration designed for comfortable long-range cruising
Garcia Yachts Exploration 4514.88 mSame hull family1.0 m shorterA rugged aluminum cutter by Berret-Racoupeau featuring a centerboard and dual rudders for high-latitude exploration
Feeling 5516.80 mSame hull family1.0 m longerA 16.8-metre fractional sloop featuring a 3.6m lifting keel and dual rudders for deep-water performance
Stadtship 5617.10 mSame hull family1.3 m longerA high-performance aluminum fractional sloop featuring a lifting keel for versatile access to deep and shallow waters

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Irwin Yachts 52-2, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

The newsletter

New boats, new stories, from everywhere.

One email from the fleet — boats newly added, videos newly analyzed. No noise.

Report an issue