Irwin Citation 39
Description
The Irwin Citation 39 (also known as Irwin 39 Citation) is a fiberglass masthead sloop (with optional cutter rig) designed by naval architect Ted Irwin and built by Irwin Yachts from 1979 to 1981. Part of the Citation series, it was crafted as a performance-oriented racer-cruiser, incorporating International Offshore Rule (IOR) influences from Ted Irwin's racing designs (e.g., SORC winners like Razzle Dazzle) for balanced speed and handling. With a moderate displacement hull and options for shoal draft fixed keel or keel/centerboard, it's versatile for coastal racing, club events, or short offshore passages (e.g., Bahamas, East Coast). The design emphasizes agility upwind while providing livable accommodations for weekend cruising or family overnighters. Approximately 50-100 hulls were produced, making it less common than smaller Citations like the 34, but sought after for its value and performance potential.
Construction Details
| Designer | Ted Irwin |
|---|---|
| Builder | Irwin Yachts |
| Length | 39.000 ft |
| LOA | 28.420 ft |
| LWL | 23.000 ft |
| Beam | 9.000 ft |
| Max Draft | 4.500 ft |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 52 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 16.50 ft |
| p | 46 ft |
| e | 14.75 ft |
| p2 | 28.25 ft |
| e2 | 9.75 ft |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 ft | 16.50 ft | 46 ft | 14.75 ft | 28.25 ft | 9.75 ft | - | - |
Sails
| Sail Type | MAINSAIL |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 46 ft - (14021 mm) |
| Foot | * 14.75 ft - (4496 mm) |
| Leech | * 47.54 ft - (14490 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 47.81 ft - (14572 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 349.07 ft² |
| Sail Type | JIBSAIL |
|---|---|
| Luff | 51 ft - (15545 mm) |
| Foot | 20.167 ft - (6147 mm) |
| Leech | 46 ft - (14021 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 110.12 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 18.17 ft - (5538 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 8.08 ° |
| Area | * 463.43 ft² |
| Sail Type | JIBSAIL |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 43.64 ft - (13301 mm) |
| Foot | * 21.82 ft - (6651 mm) |
| Leech | * 37.94 ft - (11564 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 114.97 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 18.97 ft - (5782 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12.01 ° |
| Area | * 413.92 ft² |
| Sail Type | GENOA |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 51.83 ft - (15798 mm) |
| Foot | * 26.62 ft - (8114 mm) |
| Leech | * 48.77 ft - (14865 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 24.75 ft - (7544 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 4.01 ° |
| Area | * 641.35 ft² |
| Sail Type | GENOA |
|---|---|
| Luff | 50.75 ft - (15469 mm) |
| Foot | 26.5 ft - (8077 mm) |
| Leech | 48 ft - (14630 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 149.7 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 24.7 ft - (7529 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.62 ° |
| Area | * 626.82 ft² |
| Sail Type | ASYMMETRICAL |
|---|---|
| Luff | 52 ft - (15850 mm) |
| Foot | 28 ft - (8534 mm) |
| Leech | 50 ft - (15240 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 1092 ft² |
| Sail Type | SPINNAKER |
|---|---|
| Stays | * 51.83 ft - (15798 mm) |
| MidGirth | * 29.7 ft - (9053 mm) |
| Foot | * 29.7 ft - (9053 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 1308 ft² |
Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.