Boat & Sail

Builder · Premium · Largo, Florida

Island Packet

Florida heritage premium bluewater cruising sailboat builder, 1979-founded. Full-keel cruising monohulls aimed at long-range passagemaking.

Island Packet bluewater cruiser at sail
Founded
1979
Headquarters
Largo, Florida
Ownership
Private
Tier
Premium
Website
ipy.com

Island Packet is the heritage premium bluewater cruising sailboat builder from Largo, Florida, founded in 1979 by Bob Johnson. The brand has been a heritage US bluewater cruiser builder. The lineup has paused production multiple times across recent decades.

The brand argument is the full-keel hull form designed for long-range bluewater passagemaking. Island Packet hulls compete with Hallberg-Rassy, Valiant, and Hylas on the heritage bluewater cruiser segment.

Our reviews

Island Packet hulls we have on the water.

Island Packet 380

Island Packet

Island Packet 380

A heavy, full-keel cruiser built for short-handed offshore work. The 380 trades light-air pace for a stiff, dry ride and a layout that owners live on for months at a time.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Island Packet IP 360 / 379 / 420 / 460

The IP line is the volume bluewater cruiser range. Full-keel hull form, Yanmar diesel inboard, full cabin layout with master stateroom and head with separate shower.

Things we like

  • · Full-keel hull gives sea-keeping comfort that fin-keel cruisers cannot match
  • · Heritage bluewater cruiser build discipline

Things we don't

  • · Full-keel runs slower upwind than fin-keel cruisers
  • · Production has paused multiple times, used inventory turns slowly

Buyer's guide

The Island Packet story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Island Packet was founded in 1979 by Bob Johnson in Florida. The brand built bluewater cruising sailboats with full-keel hull form as the brand argument.

The brand has had multiple ownership transitions and production pauses across the 2010s and 2020s. Current production sits under private ownership with hulls built to order.

Design philosophy

Island Packet uses full-keel hull form with cutaway forefoot, designed for long-range bluewater passagemaking and sea-keeping comfort.

Yanmar diesel inboard is the standard engine rigging.

Used-market notes and known issues

Production-pause history means warranty support depends on build year. Verify warranty status at purchase.

Yanmar 4JH service intervals are 250 hours.

Full-keel hull form means slower upwind sailing than fin-keel cruisers, which buyers should accept as a trade for sea-keeping.

Used market for heritage Island Packet hulls turns slowly; clean hulls are not common.

Resale

Island Packet holds resale tightly in the bluewater cruiser segment. Three-year depreciation runs 8 to 14 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 18 to 24 percent. Limited production volume supports the floor.

Where Island Packet fits

Buyers cross-shop Island Packet against Hallberg-Rassy, Valiant, and Hylas on the bluewater cruiser segment. The argument is the full-keel hull form and the heritage US production.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

Full keel vs fin keel?
Full keel: better sea-keeping at sea, more comfortable in heavy weather, runs slower upwind. Fin keel: faster upwind, more responsive in light air, less stable in heavy weather. Bluewater passagemaker buyers usually choose full keel for comfort; coastal cruisers usually choose fin keel for speed.
Is Island Packet still in production?
Production has paused multiple times across recent decades. Current production runs to-order with longer lead times. Verify warranty and parts pipeline at purchase.
What's the maintenance cost on an IP 420?
Annual service on Yanmar 4JH inboard runs $1,500 to $2,500. Bottom paint $1,000 to $2,000. Sail service $1,000 to $2,000 (longer-foot mainsail). Storage $1,800 to $5,000. Insurance for a $250K hull runs $1,500 to $2,800.
Where are Island Packets built?
Largo, Florida. Private facility with hulls built to order.

Compare

Categories Island Packet fits.

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