Irwin 65/68 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · centerboard

Rig

Ketch

LOA

64.83' · 19.76 m

Displ.

78,500 lbs · 35,607 kg

First year

1981

The Irwin 65 and its slightly elongated successor, the Irwin 68, represent the zenith of Ted Irwin’s "more is more" philosophy. Introduced in the early 1980s, these vessels were designed to provide the maximum possible volume and luxury for the price, effectively dominating the Caribbean crewed charter market for over a decade. The 65/68 series was not merely a boat but a floating platform for entertainment and longrange tropical cruising. While the 65 featured a more traditional transom, the 68—introduced later in the production run—featured an integrated "sugar scoop" swim platform, which extended the hull length and provided easier water access, a critical feature for its primary role in the charter trade. According to the Irwin Yachts official model history, the model was the largest production sailboat being built in the United States at the time of its release.