Y wife and I Are looking to buy a new boat, for us, and I would like some feedback on what we are thinking of. We would like an Island Packet, which we have located, for a number of reasons. I like its safety and comfort and I like the fact it seems to keep its value. I have seen some Beneteaus and Oceanis' boats that are slightly larger, newer and less money, but don't have much character. We will be sailing the Great Lakes out of Bayfield, WI, don't care about speed, will live aboard the board for three to fifteen days at a time and will be sailing to Lake Michigan and all around Lake Superior AND most likely down to Florida to our winter home. Any suggestions, comments, or would be much appreciated.
Im in need of advice.
- Thread starter Barley hops
- Start date
one thing you need to look at is the draft in the water if i remember correctly the IP has a 6 foot draft and i don't know where in florida you are going and if you have water side property or not ...but if your water is less tan that at low tide you may not be able to get the boat to your property although these are very nice boats and as you said you don't care about speed that much........ did i say theses are very nice boats...... good luck on your quest ...oh and one other thing is they are bad to have the holding waste tank go bad and leak around 10 to 15 years old and need replacing and i have see pricing for that fix go for 8 to 15 grand so make sure if you are buying second hand that you have that checked out and if it has not been done make that a serious point with the seller other than that i can't say much else but they are very nice boats
I saw an IP sailing down the Hawk Channel with a 15 to 20 knot breeze while we were getting our teeth knocked out on my brother's center console fishing boat. I would have taken a transfer in a heartbeat. I doubt they needed skid-less coasters for their beverages. They seem to fit your esthetic criteria. Some of the other boats you mentioned are solid cruising platforms. I wouldn't discount them because they don't look traditional.
Repeating (or emphasizing) what woodster mentioned: draft is a concern in Florida. Grounding is a common occurrence on the West coast of Florida, and the deeper the draft the more often it is likely to occur. A boat with a CB would give you the shallow draft when it is up for entering anchorages or canals while dropping the CB down would improve pointing ability in more open water. Also, the larger the boat the more livable space it will probably provide. Larger size also requires larger equipment and perhaps more muscle to raise/trim sails. Larger may also lull you into sailing less if you are living aboard. Best Wishes as you decide.
You may not care about boat speed, but you need wind speed to move an IP. They are heavy boats, and like 15 knot winds to get moving. The dealers sell them as safe, solid boats to people who may, or may not understand they will be sailing in spirited conditions....or playing the Mobo thing. There is a reason builders offer light, fin-keeled, high performance rig boats - they sail well in light winds...which is pretty much when most recreational boaters like to go sailing.
If your heart is set on the IP, and you want to sail the beautiful shoals of the gulf coast of Florida there are centerboard versions, believe the 31 and 35 are lifting board boats. But for my money, a nice classic plastic Sabre 42 centerboard is a way better choice as an all-around boat. Good luck.
If your heart is set on the IP, and you want to sail the beautiful shoals of the gulf coast of Florida there are centerboard versions, believe the 31 and 35 are lifting board boats. But for my money, a nice classic plastic Sabre 42 centerboard is a way better choice as an all-around boat. Good luck.
Florida comments not withstanding, where a center boarder could be a slight advantage, but you're in the great lakes..... I say go for it.... IP's are perfect for what you describe... super comfortable, well powered and solid.... Draft concerns? That's why you have chart plotters and depth sounders.
Most of the Island Packets that I have seen have less than 5' of draft.
Island Packets are beautiful yachts. They are usually well laid out and the look nice. Do remember, though, that there is a lot of exterior wood and that means a lot of maintenance. If you keep up on it then it probably isn't too bad but if you let it go too long you end up with a mess and a ton of work.
Island Packets are designed for blue water passages. I have heard complaints that they don't go to wind that well but someone who owns one may disagree. Honestly, I don't like sailing upwind unless I am day sailing or I am not trying to get somewhere. If I need to go somewhere I usually motor upwind or motorsail. It is a fact of life where I live that you often motor in the summer because of light and fickle winds.
They are great boats. Most boats are great for some reason or another. The best advise is go out there and look at a bunch of boats. Sail as many of them as you can. Buy the one that fits your life, your wants, and your needs. It helps to make a list of what you think is nice, what you don't think is nice, and what you absolutely need. Look at each boat objectively.
If you look at an older boat, try Don Casey's book "Inspecting The Aging Sailboat." It has a lot of good information and it can probably save you some money upfront by eliminating boats that have visible major issues.
Island Packets are beautiful yachts. They are usually well laid out and the look nice. Do remember, though, that there is a lot of exterior wood and that means a lot of maintenance. If you keep up on it then it probably isn't too bad but if you let it go too long you end up with a mess and a ton of work.
Island Packets are designed for blue water passages. I have heard complaints that they don't go to wind that well but someone who owns one may disagree. Honestly, I don't like sailing upwind unless I am day sailing or I am not trying to get somewhere. If I need to go somewhere I usually motor upwind or motorsail. It is a fact of life where I live that you often motor in the summer because of light and fickle winds.
They are great boats. Most boats are great for some reason or another. The best advise is go out there and look at a bunch of boats. Sail as many of them as you can. Buy the one that fits your life, your wants, and your needs. It helps to make a list of what you think is nice, what you don't think is nice, and what you absolutely need. Look at each boat objectively.
If you look at an older boat, try Don Casey's book "Inspecting The Aging Sailboat." It has a lot of good information and it can probably save you some money upfront by eliminating boats that have visible major issues.
A similar quality boat you might consider is a Pacific Seacraft. I assume by your post you are looking at an IP38? Pacific Seacraft of older vintage were in the 37 and 34 foot sizes. The Pacific Seacraft is not a full keel boat like an IP so it may handle a little better upwind yet it still has a well protected rudder and prop with the skeg. The IP might be a little roomier in the interior as it likely has more beam. Both are very high quality production boats.
Thanks to all for the constructive comments. The draft is 5' and we are on the east coast of Florida so shallows aren't of great concern. The holding tank issue isn't something I was aware of and appreciate the heads up. Happy sailing!
Indeed. Pretty much anything designed by Bill Crealock is both brilliantly seaworthy AND beautiful. I'm looking at his Pacific Seacraft 37 across the alleyway from me now. It will sail circles around an IP.
PS moved to Little Washington and is still in production. The new owner bought the whole company in bankruptcy sale for under a hundred grand several years ago, then hired and moved key technical guys from Ca. To NC. Nice to see a great brand still toughing it out.
Oh hell!!!
You can't go wrong with Pacific Seacraft or Island Packet. There a ton of other boats to add to that list. Any of them are extremely nice. Most are way out of my price range and will always be way out of my price range! LOL
You can't go wrong with Pacific Seacraft or Island Packet. There a ton of other boats to add to that list. Any of them are extremely nice. Most are way out of my price range and will always be way out of my price range! LOL
Also consider the Caliber. We chose our 40LRC over many others including IP and PS. She sails upwind very well for a cruising boat. Similar in design as the IP but faster to wind. She has a modified fin keel and a skeg hung rudder. The interior is setup with a forward stateroom with Pullman berth and forepeak head with shower stall. Aft is a separate cabin and ensuite head.
We spent last summer in Nova Scotia and last winter in the Bahamas and not once did we ever feel the boat would not carry us through some rather rough patches including a couple Gulf Stream crossings. Made in St. Pete Calibers are found cruising the world.
We have lived aboard for 5 years now and would not consider another boat in this size, quality and price for what we did.
We spent last summer in Nova Scotia and last winter in the Bahamas and not once did we ever feel the boat would not carry us through some rather rough patches including a couple Gulf Stream crossings. Made in St. Pete Calibers are found cruising the world.
We have lived aboard for 5 years now and would not consider another boat in this size, quality and price for what we did.
Island packets are nice boats and are on our short list for our next boat. You may want to ask some of your questions on the Island packet owner's group.
The only real negative I've heard is that if the chainplates weren't maintained by rebedding, especially on a saltwater boat, the chainplates can corrode and fail. They are buried in the hull, so make sure you have a surveyer give you an opinion on this. The good news is that you can send the boat to the Island Packet factory for this work. The bad is that it's quite expensive.
I love the looks of them, though I've never sailed one, and have only toured a couple of brokerage boats at shows.
The only real negative I've heard is that if the chainplates weren't maintained by rebedding, especially on a saltwater boat, the chainplates can corrode and fail. They are buried in the hull, so make sure you have a surveyer give you an opinion on this. The good news is that you can send the boat to the Island Packet factory for this work. The bad is that it's quite expensive.
I love the looks of them, though I've never sailed one, and have only toured a couple of brokerage boats at shows.
All good advice given. The IP's are great boats, solid well built boats. A 5' draft is good, they are made for Florida, good rub rail for those pilings coming into a slip. We looked at a number of them. Many are very well cared for by the owners. The owners generally call them island piglets because they are slow. I found a number had to have the aluminum water, and holding tanks replaced. These tanks are located under the sole, cost was close to $10K to do this.
Bob
Bob