Fractional Sloop · Lifting Keel · First built 1980
A lightweight fractional sloop with a lifting keel, derived from the Mini-Ton design but optimised with a smaller rig
Designed by Ted Irwin.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Lifting Keel
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
TrailerableBeam 2.44 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 817 kg of hull, so roughly 1,400 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 817 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draught shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draughtDraws 0.26 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly
Her light displacement on a beamy beam gives 10 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 10
CoastalBluewater
At 2.63 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 2.63
LightHeavy
179 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 179
EasygoingPowered-up
21.8 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.
Sail area / displacement 21.8
TenderStiff
42% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.
Ballast 42%
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.7%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
21.8
Displacement / length
178.9
Comfort ratio
9.8
Capsize screening
2.63
Hull speed
5.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
472
Hull
Hull type
Lifting Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
First built 1980
Designer
Ted Irwin
Builder
Irwin Yachts
Boats like this, on the water
Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.
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.
Dufour Yachts T66.15 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA lightweight 800kg fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance in light air
Marshall Marine Corporation Sanderling5.54 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA gaff-rigged catboat based on a 1941 design, featuring a shallow-draft keel-centerboard hull for versatile day sailing
O'day 23-1 (Lift Top)7.01 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA popular C. Raymond Hunt-designed masthead sloop featuring a unique lift-top coach roof for added cabin headroom
Cal Boats 247.43 mSame hull family1.0 m longerThe inaugural Jensen Marine Cal model, this fractional keel-centerboard sloop was built for shoal-water versatility
