Why Doesn’T Island Packet Yachts Build Smaller Boats?

Island Packet Yachts is an American builder of blue water cruising sailing and motor yachts, based in Largo, Florida. The company focuses on details oriented toward longer-term cruising such as storage space and tankage. They currently produce seven boats, ranging from the Estero to the Seaward.

Island Packet Yachts is known for its strong build quality but also a compromise between traditional long-keeler (low and fairly narrow) and a more lightweight design. While they are considered excellent boats, there are some criticisms about their build quality. One issue is that they are heavy and undercanvassed, making maneuverability difficult. The overall concept is an unhappy compromise between a traditional long-keeler and a more lightweight design.

One positive aspect of Island Packet Yachts is their focus on cruising, which has improved their boats over time. However, they are also known for being heavy and undercanvassed, making them slow and inhibiting maneuverability. The boat’s speed is not always good, and it is difficult to find a well-built boat that is cheap or a bluewater cruiser that doubles as a racer.

The IP370 is a more expensive boat, but both holding water tanks are made of fiberglass and likely won’t need replacement. The fuel tank is also made of fiberglass, and the wheel is fairly small due to the wide sprayhood. Overall, Island Packet Yachts is a well-designed and well-built boat that offers a good turn of speed but is not built with a focus on cruising.