Design and Construction
The Mk II was developed as a performance-oriented coastal and moderate offshore cruiser, and against the earlier Mk I of 1977–1979 she is a more purposeful boat. The most consequential change below the waterline was a deeper forefoot for improved upwind performance, which sharpened her ability to hold a lane to weather. Irwin Yachts offered the hull with a shoal-draft fixed keel or a keel-centerboard combination, giving the owner a choice between standing stability for offshore legs and the shallow-water access that makes Bahamas and East Coast gunkholing practical. The design is also stiffer and more seaworthy than the Mk I, a meaningful step up for a boat meant to leave the coast. Solid fiberglass forms both hull and deck, and the builder’s own construction history in this era used brass gate valves on below-waterline through-hulls rather than proper marine seacocks on several models — a detail worth holding in mind for any Irwin of the period.
Rig and Handling
The standard rig is a masthead sloop with an optional ketch, and the Mk II brought updated rigging often arranged as a high-aspect cutter compared with the Mk I. The sail plan is generous: a 324-square-foot mainsail works with a 399-square-foot jib, while the 150-percent genoa stretches to nearly 619 square feet and a reaching asymmetrical runs past 1,000 square feet. That inventory, paired with the deeper forefoot, explains the boat’s reputation as stiff and quick. She is versatile for shallow-water access while maintaining stability for passages like the Bahamas or East Coast runs, and the keel-centerboard option extends that versatility without sacrificing the composure that makes the design credible offshore.
Accommodations
Where the Mk I felt darker and tighter, the Mk II carries enhanced interior layouts for better light and ventilation. The beam of just over 12 feet gives the saloon and sleeping spaces room to breathe, and the emphasis on airflow and daylight reflects a design brief that balanced the racing heritage with family-friendly livability.
The Verdict
The Irwin 40 Mk II is a thoughtful second-generation evolution of an already capable design. Ted Irwin took the race-bred instincts of his Razzle Dazzle programs and wrapped them around a cruising hull that is stiffer, better ventilated, and more versatile than its predecessor. The deeper forefoot and cutter-leaning rig give her real upwind manners, while the keel-centerboard option keeps her useful in thin water. She is a believable bluewater candidate under 40 feet, provided a buyer respects the period-typical through-hull hardware.
Pros
- Deeper forefoot and updated rig sharpen upwind performance over the Mk I
- Stiffer and more seaworthy than the earlier generation
- Shoal keel or keel-centerboard options for shallow-water cruising
- Brighter, better-ventilated interior with family-friendly livability
- Credible moderate-offshore capability under 40 feet
Cons
- Irwin Yachts through-hull practice favored brass gate valves below the waterline rather than seacocks
- Only about 100–150 built, so individual hull history matters more than fleet averages
