Irwin 28 Buyer's Guide
The Irwin 28 is a 28.5-foot sloop that Irwin Yachts produced from around 1970, with variations mkI through mkIV. For a shopper on the brokerage market, she represents a modest-budget coastal cruiser with a hand-laid hull and a cabin that punches above her length, though a few missing cruising fittings and known deck leaks deserve a careful look.
Layouts on the Used Market
Early boats were mostly shallow-draft full keelers with centerboards, while later fin-keel versions draw 4 feet 6 inches and carry 3,200 lbs of lead ballast on a reinforced boss. The cabin runs from a roomy v-berth forward to a quarter-berth aft, with an enclosed head to port, hanging wet locker to starboard, adult-length settees, and an L-shaped galley to starboard. Some boats add a slide-out nav table above the quarter berth. The bow rope/chain locker is only accessible through the v-berth, not the deck, which matters when checking how chain was stowed. Both tiller and pedestal wheel steering were offered, so buyers should decide which helm suits them before viewing.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Deck hardware is generally good quality and much of it was sourced from larger Irwin models, with bow and stern cleats oversized for a 28-footer and a perforated aluminum toerail running the deck length. The factory auxiliary was a gasoline Volvo MB10A or Universal; the Volvo two-cylinder is still built by Marna Marine in Norway, a useful detail for long-term parts. The galley came with a roomy ice box, alcohol stove, and flip-up counter extension, and a waterlift muffler handles exhaust. Buyers will want to budget for an anchor roller or platform, since none was fitted, and a midships cleat is absent from the original layout.
What to Inspect
The chainplate setup is prone to deck leaks despite its structural strength, and multiple I28 owners have seen water intrusion at the hull-deck junction anchor. Resealing the toerail along its full length corrects the joint leaks, so check for prior partial fixes or soft core near the joint. Engine access is tight, though oil and plug service is possible from the front after companionway-step removal; confirm the small port quarter-berth panel and starboard lazarette access are intact. The missing anchor roller and midships cleat are original omissions rather than defects, but they shape how the boat can be used.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Viewings will depend on local listings. For a buyer, the practical checklist is: confirm keel type and fin-keel bolt condition; inspect deck-to-hull joint and chainplate leaks; verify Volvo or Universal gasoline engine runs and parts path; plan for anchor-roller and midships-cleat additions; check tiller or wheel steering wear; and review galley and berth access for cruising needs.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Irwin 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26 | 1 | $9,000 | — |
Where they're listed
Irwin 28 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $9,000 | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 28 | 28.5' | $ 25,000 | 38 | 7 |
| Irwin 28You are here | — | $ 9,000 | 1 | 0 |