Irwin Citation 30

Description

The Irwin Citation 30 (1978–1983) is a roomy, moderately fast 30 ft cruiser-racer designed by Ted Irwin as a direct evolution of his successful Irwin 1/2 Ton racer, but with a taller cabinhouse, wider beam (10 ft 8 in), and a much more cruising-oriented interior. With an LOA of 29 ft 11 in, displacement of about 8,600 lb (3,600 lb ballast), and a choice of standard fin keel (5 ft 4 in) or optional shoal draft (4 ft 0 in), she carries a conservative masthead sloop rig of roughly 460–480 sq ft—noticeably less sail than the 1/2 Ton, but still enough to give lively performance and PHRF ratings typically in the 150–168 range. Below, she was remarkably spacious for her era: full 6 ft 2 in headroom, a genuine aft stateroom with double berth (rare on a 30-footer in 1978), U-shaped galley, enclosed head with shower, and comfortable sleeping for six. Approximately 250 were built before the line evolved into the Citation 31/34 series. Although never as quick as her racier half-ton sister, the Citation 30 earned a strong reputation as one of the best-value family cruisers of the late 1970s/early 1980s—fast enough to win club races, yet genuinely comfortable for extended coastal cruising, and many remain actively sailed on the U.S. East Coast and Great Lakes today.