Irwin 38-1 Buyer's Guide
The Irwin 38-1 on the brokerage market is a Ted Irwin-designed masthead sloop built from 1970 in solid fiberglass, with a keel-and-centerboard hull and a spade rudder. These are Irwin cruisers from the early period of the designer's career at the yard, and the original tankage reflects period assumptions about sail-first cruising.
Layouts on the Used Market
The centerboard trunk and spade rudder define the below-water profile buyers meet at the dock. A board-up draft of 3.75 feet lets a shallow-water anchor hold, while the 9.58-foot board-down draft stabilizes her offshore. The 10.5-foot beam and 27.5-foot waterline shape the cabin footprint and berth layout carried over all surviving hulls.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The original single gasoline Atomic 4 engine and 30-gallon fuel capacity are modest, so many used boats have added tankage or alternate power. The 80-gallon water capacity is the factory baseline; a short water supply range pushes owners toward larger tanks or watermakers. A masthead sloop rig on a 45.25-foot I invites roller-furling and larger headsail upgrades for short-handed sailing.
What to Inspect
The known limitations of the design are centered on her original tankage. The fuel capacity is originally small at 30 gallons, so verify the actual installed tank and any added capacity, and confirm the gasoline Atomic 4 still runs cleanly given the modest reserve. The water capacity is listed at 80 gallons yet the boat shows a short water supply range, meaning you should trace the plumbing for restricted lines or undocumented draws and test the pump and tank age under way. Neither item is a structural fault, but both shape how far a specific hull can cruise without modification.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
- Check the centerboard pivot and trunk for wear from the 9.58 ft board-down draft
- Confirm the 30-gallon fuel tank and any added capacity at survey
- Test the water system for the short supply range
- Verify the Atomic 4 gasoline engine runs and is safely installed
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Irwin 38-1. 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26 | 1 | $18,000 | — |
Where they're listed
Irwin 38-1 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 | $18,000 | 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
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 38 | 40.2' | $ 34,328 | 33 | 6 |
| C&C Yachts 36-1 | 35.67' | $ 18,464 | 12 | 1 |
| Northshore 38 | 37.99' | $ 52,048 | 11 | 5 |
| Hinckley Yachts 38 | 37.5' | $ 73,750 | 10 | 6 |
| LeComte 38-1 | 38.25' | $ 42,900 | 3 | 0 |
| Irwin 38-1You are here | — | $ 18,000 | 1 | 0 |