Irwin 1/2 Ton Mk II Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Hull type

Monohull · lifting

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

32' · 9.75 m

Displ.

7,300 lbs · 3,311 kg

First year

1977

The Irwin 1/2 Ton Mk II represents a pivotal era in American sailboat design, emerging from the mid1970s as a productionline answer to the International Offshore Rule (IOR) racing scene. Designed by Ted Irwin, this model was specifically engineered to compete in the Half Ton class, a category that demanded a delicate balance of speed, rating optimization, and structural integrity. Unlike pure racing machines of the time, the Mk II was marketed as a dualpurpose vessel, blending the aggressive performance of a regatta contender with the functional amenities required for coastal cruising. The boat's evolution from the original 1/2 Ton (Mk I) involved refinements to the deck layout and ballast configuration to maximize its competitive edge under the evolving IOR handicapping system.