Island Packet 359 – New Sailboat from Legacy Builder
While recent times have brought challenges to American production sailboat builders, Island Packet continues to have a strong following for their distinctive line of cruising sailboats. Their recent announcement of a new model, the Island Packet 359, demonstrates the company’s resilience as well as their dedication to continuing to build quality production cruisers for sailors out of their Largo, FL facility.
Historical Context
The common consensus among seasoned sailors is that the 1970s were the heyday of American built production sailboats. Fiberglass construction became the mainstream and dozens of homegrown production sailboat factories sprung up across the country like in California with brands like Catalina, Tartan Marine in Ohio, Morgan Yachts in Florida, J Boats in Rhode Island, and more. This was an exciting time for the American middle-class sailor. Seaworthy, family friendly cruisers and racers were available new for about the cost of a car in a competitive marketplace where legendary marine talent constantly innovated exciting new models.
As the decades ticked by, a variety of pressures have thinned the fleet. Globalization took some of the manufacturing overseas. Corporate consolidation scooped up builders like baseball cards, which were then sometimes further merged and traded, or too often driven into the ground. Others were built around the genius of the founder, one man, and when he bowed out the torch was dropped in the passing. Changes to the American middle class left less wealth to spread around and the market for production sailboats became a smaller piece of the economic pie. Because fiberglass is nearly indestructible, there are a whole lot of those classic boats still around which compete against new builds creating further challenges for today’s builders.
One could probably write a PhD thesis on why the golden era of American production sailboat building was the 1970s, but just because that era is over doesn’t mean there are no more operating outfits. A few of the legacies endure and are doing quite well. Others not so much; see the ongoing Catalina Yachts drama for more on that.
Enter Island Packet, which was founded in 1979 and has always designed and built their sailboats in Largo, Florida and does so to this day. What’s cool about Island Packet is that they appear to have stuck the landing between generational ownership handoffs. The current owners Darrell and Leslie Allen took the reins in 2017 from founder naval architect Robert K. (Bob) Johnson. The Allens promptly guided Island Packet’s newest model at the time, the Island Packet 349, to a Cruising Boat of the Year award in 2019. The company won the title again in 2021 for their 439 model.
The Island Packet 359 – Darell Allen’s Insights
It is exciting to receive the announcement of the new Island Packet 359 which on paper looks promising. What is clear is that the 359 is meant to be an evolution and improvement of the award-winning 349, not an overhaul.
“We have changed from the old style IGU (Internal Grid Unit) to a more modern hull structure unit. This allows for better hull support and designated areas for wire and hoses to run,” explained Allen when referring to the stringer system on the new model. “This has also allowed us to design a better layout because we are not restricted to the old style IGU for our settee, berth bases, etc. We believe the layout is much improved over the 349.”
The electrical system has also been beefed up to 24V batteries and systems. Victron lithium batteries are now standard versus being an option, along with a 5K inverter versus 3K. These modern battery systems not only provide additional power for typical electrical uses, but they can power items with heavy draws like air conditioning, electric stoves, and BBQs. I bet super sizing electrical systems will be the norm in boat models for a while as boaters’ electrical use increases. Other non-flashy but welcome improvements to systems include that the thru-hulls and ball valves on water and holding tanks are corrosion resistant Forespar Marelon brand. The engine also includes a freshwater flush feature. A washer/dryer is a nice cruising option that can be placed in the aft cabin. The galley is also much larger than the 349 with more counter and storage space.
Another notable development will be an upgraded interior with wood bases versus a molded-in fiberglass interior. The inside panels along the hull can also be wood instead of fiberglass. This should add a warmth and classiness factor to the build. Allen reported medium cherry wood along with light maple and darker sapele interior schemes. There are a few options with regards to the interior layout, including twin captain chairs in the salon to starboard and a forward vanity desk in the v-berth alongside the queen bed.
There are also tweaks on deck. “We have raised the deck stanchions from 26″ to 30,” said Allen. “We have added carbon fiber to the bowsprit to allow us to get rid of the stainless pulpit support.”
Impressions
All told, what I see from the Island Packet 359 thus far is a modernization of a solid design from a legacy builder. There’s nothing here that screams revolution, rather a carefully thought-out checklist of upgrades. This makes a lot of sense to me.
Darrell Allen reported that they have already sold five 359s and have the first two hulls under construction. Hull #1 is in the sub sole stage and will begin build out with bulkheads and furniture next week at the time of this writing. Hull #2 will be pulled from the mold next week.
You can review the provided layout and standard equipment list and draw your own conclusions, but the Island Packet 359 should be a worthy American built sailing cruiser that, like her sisters, can take on coastal and global voyages. I look forward to seeing this new model on the water soon. Island Packet is proving that one doesn’t need to live in the “good old days” to go sailing on an American built boat—or even buy a new one.
https://ipy.com/yachts/ip-359/Island Packet IP-359 Specifications
LOA: 39′ 0″ / 11.89 m
Length on Deck: 35′ 9″ / 10.90 m
Length Waterline: 31′ 6″ / 9.60 m
Beam: 12′ 6″ / 3.81 m
Draft: 4′ 0″ / 1.22 m
Weight: 22,500 lbs / 10,206 kg
Headroom: 6′ 6″ / 1.98 m
Ballast: 7,500 lbs / 3,402 kg
Sail Area: (w/ JIB): 655 sq ft / 60.9 m²
Sail Area: (w/ Reacher): 1,000 sqft / 92.9 m²
Height above Waterline: 54′ 0″ / 16.46 m
Auxiliary Power: 45 HP (Yanmar 45 H.P. model 4JH45 engine)
Fuel Capacity (stnd.): 55 gal /208 L
Water Capacity (stnd): 100 gal / 379 L
Holding Tank: 30 gal /114 L
Ballast / Length Ratio: 320
Ballast/ Displacement Ratio: 33%
Designed by: IPY Design Team
2027 ISLAND PACKET 359 BASE PRICE: $449,000
