Irwin 52 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Early Irwin 52s were built with solid glass hulls, while the Series II introduced in 1982 adopted Klegecell coring from the waterline up, with all models carrying plywood-cored decks anchor. Irwin addressed the rot risk in those plywood decks by saturating four-inch squares with resin. The hull-to-deck box joint is a defining visual feature, incorporating the wide bulwark and a handsome teak caprail. Early hulls used three massive interior pans tabbed to the hull, which restricted interior options and limited access to the hull itself; the Series II moved to all-wood interior construction with bulkheads and facings glassed directly to the hull, allowing customized plans and easier retrofits. Stanchions are tall but only adequately supported, and early pulpits were screwed to the teak caprail rather than through-bolted as on later boats.

Rig and Handling

The 52 is a beamy staysail ketch with more than 1,350 square feet of working sail area, and the staysail configuration between mainmast and headstay permits versatile combinations useful offshore anchor. Under full canvas she moves smartly in light to moderate airs and comes alive in the trades, though she is not particularly close winded. The versatile sailplan keeps her balanced and adapts well to autopilots, with the mizzen available to trim the helm. Under power she handles extremely well, and with a feathering prop she backs true. Her underbody carries a cutaway long keel with a partially balanced rudder, and most boats were centerboards drawing just 5 feet 6 inches with the board up. The 44-foot waterline lets her reach steadily at 8 knots.

Accommodations

These beamy cruisers made no apology for motoryacht-like interior accommodations, with a spacious cockpit and wide side decks anchor. The center-cockpit design was transformed by a large, comfortable space not merely squeezed above the engine room, and one can sleep comfortably on either side. Pre-1982 models share a drop-down galley to starboard, a large nav station to port, and a palatial saloon; the aft cabin holds an athwartship double with private head and shower, while forward lies a large V-berth, a quarter cabin with upper and under berths, and a second large head. Series II boats often kept the basic plan but substituted island berths in both fore and aft cabins. Large side and forward-facing cabintrunk ports flood the interior with light, and decadent features included a stand-up fridge and freezer, breakfast bar with stools, air conditioning, and a generator.

Known Issues

A problem common to most 52s was the iron maststep set low in the bilge, which corroded over the years anchor. Buyers should also be wary of delaminated floors around the mast, since those were glassed-over wood. Other potential problems include leaking chainplates, spars needing repaint, and spider cracks with deck delamination. Built during the blister period, most boats will show a blister repair in their past. On early models the deck hardware was a bit undersized for a 44,000-pound boat. Extensive 12- and 110-volt systems will need updating if original, and pre-1982 wiring access is poor.

Refits and Ownership

The Series II introduced in 1982 was substantially upgraded and easier to retrofit than the early pan-built boats anchor. Most 52s carried the Perkins 4-236 85-horsepower diesel, a workhorse respected for reliability, reasonable service access, and widely available parts despite long discontinuation. The engine sits beneath the saloon cabin sole with terrific access, which also simplifies repowering. The 54 that replaced the 52 in 1988 is essentially the same boat and is easy to confuse with it.

The Verdict

The Irwin 52 represents a unique blend of living space and underway performance, a stout and stable offshore cruiser that prioritized comfort and steady progress over racing pace. Its deck-saloon vision and center-cockpit transformation set a template others followed, and the Series II's construction improvements make later hulls the more sensible used purchase.

Pros