Design and Construction
The Irwin 28 hull is a one-piece molded fiberglass unit built from alternate layers of hand-laid mat and 24-ounce woven roving, with no chopper guns or blown glass used in the process anchor. Extra laminate was added in high-stress areas and floor timbers were hand-glassed into all keel models, giving the structure a considered robustness for a price-point boat. The deck is likewise a one-piece molded fiberglass unit with a plywood core for stiffening and insulation. Early boats were mostly shallow-draft full keelers with centerboards, while later examples shifted to fixed fin-keel variants drawing 4 feet 6 inches; the fin-keel ballast is pre-cast lead through-bolted with stainless steel bolts to a reinforced keel boss, and the rudder sits on a partial skeg. A slight spring in the sheerline with a bit of teak on deck and a modest stern overhang give her a recognizable profile.
Rig and Handling
Always sloop rigged, the Irwin 28 carries anodized aluminum mast and boom with standard 1x19 stainless wire standing rigging and single upper and lower shrouds. The shroud chainplates land midway between the coachhouse wall and toerail as heavy-duty steel strips bolted solidly to the hull grid, a genuine strong point for a 28-footer. The mainsheet traveler is mounted on the companionway threshold, and very small jib lead tracks sit on the cockpit gunwales. Test sailors found she tracks well enough but needs precise sail trim to balance the tiller, with weather helm easily controlled via the traveler anchor. She does not back down well, prop-walking badly to starboard in reverse so steering is nearly ineffective, yet handles moderate conditions nicely — controlled and manageable in winds to about 25 knots and Lake Michigan seas of 5 or 6 feet — and close hauled is her favorite point of sail.
Accommodations
Moving aft from the bow, the cabin lays out as a roomy v-berth, hanging wet locker to starboard, enclosed head with sink and vanity to port, adult-length settees both sides in the saloon, a bulkhead-hinged table, L-shaped galley to starboard, and quarter-berth to port. Storage is plentiful though mostly recessed below berths and settees where it is not always convenient. The galley holds a roomy ice box, alcohol stove, and flip-up countertop extension; some boats feature a slide-out nav table above the quarter berth. The large bulkhead table that stows neatly against the bulkhead when not in use is the cabin's best feature. A rope/chain locker sits in the bow but is only reachable through the v-berth rather than from the deck.
Known Issues
The chainplate arrangement, for all its strength, is prone to deck leaks, and a number of Irwin 28 owners have reported seepage where the deck meets the hull. The proper remedy for those joint leaks is removing and resealing the toerail along its entire length anchor. The boat also lacks a midships cleat and has no anchoring platform or anchor roller, a real drawback for cruising use. Engine access is not the best, though oil and plug changes can be done from the front after removing the companionway steps, with a small port panel in the quarter-berth and starboard access through the cockpit lazarette.
Refits and Ownership
Owners shopping a used Irwin 28 should expect to inspect and likely renew the deck-to-hull seal, a straightforward job given the toerail-based remedy. The boat was offered with both tiller and pedestal wheel steering, and factory auxiliary power came from a Volvo or Universal gasoline engine; the Volvo MB10A two-cylinder makes 15 peak horsepower and is still produced by Marna Marine in Norway. A waterlift muffler routes exhaust. With a 41% ballast ratio that makes her relatively stiff, a length-to-displacement ratio of 286.2 in the average cruising band, and a PHRF of 213, she is a fine coastal cruiser for those on a modest budget.
The Verdict
The Irwin 28 is a thoughtfully built small cruiser whose hand-laid hull, substantial chainplates, and predictable moderate-weather handling make her a sensible coastal boat. The deck-leak tendencies and missing anchor hardware are real but manageable, and the cabin serves two people well without pretense.
Pros
- Hand-laid fiberglass hull with extra laminate in high-stress areas and no chopped-strand spray-up
- Heavy-duty chainplates bolted to the hull grid
- Stiff, confident feel from a 41% ballast ratio
- Manageable and controlled in winds to 25 knots and sizable Lake Michigan seas
- Bulkhead table and L-shaped galley suit a compact cruising layout
Cons
- Deck-to-hull and chainplate leaks are known and require toerail reseal
- No midships cleat, anchor roller, or anchoring platform
- Poor reversing control from strong starboard prop walk
- Limited engine access and bow locker only reachable through the v-berth
