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sailboat island packet 27

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sailboat island packet 27

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  • Sailboat Reviews

Island Packet 27

The pint-sized progenitor of the ip line boasts devoted owners and solid resale value. it's a lot of cruising comfort in a small space..

sailboat island packet 27

More than 20 years ago, backhoes and bulldozers hacked a factory plot out of the mangroves in Largo, FL and Island Packet Yachts was born. The company was started by Bob Johnson, an MIT graduate and naval architect who had worked on missiles for the Navy. In those days there were plenty of “rockets” being built: It was the heyday of the IOR-inspired racer/cruiser. But when Johnson left aerospace he had a different model in mind. Rather than putting bunks in a de-tuned race-winner or sails on a husky trawler, he and his infant company swam against the fin-keeled flow—they created a cruiser built on a modernized version of the traditional long keel.

That boat was stubby, full-transomed, roomy, shoal, and distinctively vanilla. And she was a hit. Suitable for taking across to the Bahamas, gunkholing the Gulf and Keys, and exploring the waterways, she was appreciated first by Floridians. Larger than expected, better-crafted than most small cruisers, and overbuilt in pleasing ways, she came to appeal to a wider world. Priced well above most auxiliaries her size, she nonetheless carved her own niche (29 boats sold in the first two years).

Her success put Island Packet on the map. Introduced in 1980 and originally known as the Island Packet 26, the boat went through a Mark II version before becoming, in 1984, the Island Packet 27. That evolution saw some ballast refinements and interior changes, but those normal tweakings were overshadowed by the fact that sailors in profitable numbers were coming to embrace Johnson’s vision.

Island Packet 27

As of today, more than 2,000 sailboats have been built at the Largo plant. Current production models are the IP 350, 380, 420, 485, and the Packet Craft 360 powerboat.

Chunky, vanilla-milkshake, bow-spritted auxiliaries dot the anchorages of the world, and several have circumnavigated. IP has prospered while many of the companies (purveyors of fin-keels and full) that once dotted the waterfront have folded.

Johnson and his pioneering people built and sold 249 IP 27s before discontinuing the boat (in favor of the IP 29) in 1992. The chubby little boat with the big long keel started it all.

Today, with a price tag that reflects both the material put into her and the acceptance that she has won, she is not a bargain. Nonetheless, especially when you shop in terms of cubic space, price per pound, and durability, the Island Packet 27 is still an excellent place to look for used boat value.

Design Johnson has introduced a new boat virtually every year. He has developed and brought to market over a dozen new auxiliaries since starting with the IP 27, but the basic elements haven’t changed very much. He’s won five various “Boat of the Year” awards in the past five years, and those awards would seem to reflect his continuing ability to deliver on the promise of his earliest work, rather than celebrate anything radical in terms of a departure, at least in monohull sailboats.

Johnson’s philosophy as a boatbuilder, and the popularity of his boats, is based largely on his “Full Foil Keel®” concept, which incorporates both modern design techniques and modern marketing ideas.

The merits and demerits of full-length keels have been discussed in these pages before, as well as in other sailing magazines, but we can revisit the general argument here.

Long-keeled boats are made today by only a handful of builders, and Johnson is certainly foremost among them, in terms of boats built and sold. According to one argument, the reason there are fewer full-keeled boats being built today is that modern technology and materials have allowed us to build fin-keeled boats, which are swifter and more efficient—and long-keelers have simply become obsolete.

The long-keel crowd thereupon gets ornery and says, first of all, that relative efficiency depends very much on conditions, and that, in any case, efficiency alone isn’t the point.

The “fin” versus “long” argument may well be fruitless or endless, but if there are any cooler heads left at the end of it we’d hope they might agree: Keels are meant to 1. provide lift, 2. provide righting moment, and 3. offer as little drag as possible. Fin keels do sometimes loosen and fall off. They do lead to pounding and grounding and shallow bilges—but there isn’t much doubt that when it comes to doing all of the essential jobs that keels are meant to do on sailboats, fin keels are runaway victors in any comparison. You get more lift, less drag, and a more effective righting arm, pound for pound, when the keel runs down vertically rather than horizontally.

Cool heads must acknowledge that there are more performance parameters than those dealing only with efficiency. There’s the tendency of a long-keeled boat to be more comfortable in a seaway, and its ability to track straight, easing the helmsman’s burden. A full keel offers housing for a centerboard, which improves performance and achieves shallow draft. (The IP 27 draws just 2′ 8″ with her board up.) Encapsulated ballast doesn’t fall off or out, and a full-keeled boat can be careened on a distant beach for painting or repairs.Finally, there’s the strength of construction that yields a sense of solidity and safety often mentioned by IP owners.

Long keels were fading fast when Johnson introduced the IP 27. Few who gave Johnson’s little cruiser a look failed to come away impressed with her headroom, elbow room, stowage, and general liveability. Most who contemplated going to sea in a boat so small came easily to appreciate the 27’s robust construction, simple systems, efficient layout, and workable sailplan.

Many elements have been a part of Island Packet’s success, but hydrodynamics seem much less a factor to us than build quality, liveability, and detailing. One thing is sure: Johnson’s customers want his boats badly and are willing to pay top dollar for them.

Says IP Director of Sales and Marketing Bill Bolin, “Bob knows all about computers, but he prefers the duck weights and French curves and a blank sheet of paper. IPs aren’t cookie cutter designs, it’s just that the elements that we think make a good boat haven’t changed. Bob believes in U-shaped sections.”

U-shaped sections offer a good trade-off between payload and performance. Starting with the 27 and continuing with her big sisters, Johnson has drawn hull shapes that were spectacularly long on interior volume but somewhat short on hydrodynamic refinement. Deep U-shaped sections afford good payload but when you round out the turn of the bilges you give away form stabilty. Stability is important to cruisers, and Island Packets are stiff boats. For that Johnson relies on abundant ballast. By toting 3,000 pounds of lead around (after 250 pounds were added to the original boat) the 27 earns a quite-effective ballast/displacement of 38 per cent. In his larger boats, Johnson has made the percentage of ballast even greater (and lowered the center of gravity).

When you combine the additions in weight plus the reductions in horsepower (due to a relatively low-aspect rig that minimizes heeling moment), however, you begin to get an idea of the “costs” of stability in terms of liveliness under sail. If you follow the numbers you can see that her 16.7 sail area/displacement ratio signals sailing that’s less than sizzling, and that’s what the majority of her owners report, especially in light air. Take a three-bladed prop, a relatively blunt entry, and wetted surface enough to be very discouraging, and you have further reasons why Island Packet owners tend to reach for the ignition when the breeze gets wispy.

Accommodation Time and again, owners that we’ve talked to call their boats “the biggest little 27-footer ever.” There’s not much doubt that one of the things to like best about this pocket cruiser is that she expands the cruising envelope for boats of her type. The 27 was followed by the innovative 31, whose tri-cabin set-up made her seem miles bigger than her actual size. Though that approach (quarterberth aft to starboard, big saloon with fold-down table, big galley to port of the companionway, head and closets between the “rooms,” and a jumbo platform double forward) is there with the 27, she offers, in fact, nothing revolutionary. She just makes superlative use of the beam and the height afforded below.

One of the things that helped move Island Packet out of the mangroves and into the main stream was “big boat” joinery. The 27 stands out from other production boats of her era in terms of well-chosen woods, matched grains, mitred corners, pleasing trim.

Builders before Johnson most often made price the principal arbiter in their smaller boats. That’s another area where Island Packet broke away, and it is another key to the company’s success.

The IP 27, like her siblings, exhibits what we’d have to call a certain décor belowdecks. There’s definitely a “designing mind” at work here. One owner even said, “only a woman could have combined comfort, style, ventilation, and roominess with such flair.”

Not that the gender issue should become a sore point, but the upholstery, furniture, and decorative touches are powerful and distinctive. Because Island Packet provides few (originally no) options for upholstery, fabrics, and trim, that powerful and distinctive box is yours to live in. Island Packets all look much alike below. We’re not necessarily at odds with that look—we just wonder what we might do if we were.

Island Packet 27

There’s plenty of well-planned stowage space: positive catches on the lockers, drawers, and cubbies—shelves with high fiddles. The 27 goes well beyond the “throw-it-below” and “camping out” approaches that long characterized small cruisers. And the quarterberth makes a great sea berth. That is, in fact, what quarterberths are meant to be.

Some owners felt that 30 gallons of water wasn’t enough, and there were others who put in a bid for a larger holding tank. Some said the helm station was too small, but one reported, “We just had a party of 12 aboard for drinks. The people from the bigger boats always seem to come to us.” And there’s the Connecticut owner of a 1985 boat who reported “all the surprises that we’ve had have been pleasant ones.”

From our interviews we’ve found that the people who cruise Island Packet 27s have an extraordinarily high degree of satisfaction with the liveability and comfort provided by their boats.

Construction Step aboard this 27-footer and there’s no “bobbly” smallboat sensation. At 8,000 pounds she sits solid in the water. The Island Packet 27 displaces as much as 3,000 pounds more than rival auxiliaries of her size and averages about 1,500 pounds heavier than the boats available in her class in 1980. Her big-boat feel and heavyweight status come from the way she’s built. Her long keel may set her apart from the crowd, but rugged construction is another Island Packet hallmark, and it all started here.

The hull is solid, made from a layer of mat and layers of knitted cloth. The forward edge of the keel is built up to almost an inch of solid glass in order to withstand impact. Blistering seems not to have been a big problem with the IP 27s ; of the more than 30 owners we questioned, not one has encountered the pox. An IP 31 owner who was less fortunate, however, told us that grinding blisters away and re-coating the hull was “a relatively simple proposition due to the thickness and quality of the hull laminate.”

Island Packet hulls are reinforced with structural grids. Typical of Johnson’s fusion of the new and the tried-and-true, these precisely engineered structures are built of plywood floor timbers that run athwartships and are glassed to the hull. They are then covered with a fiberglass pan that forms the cabin sole. Used in racing boats, grids let you save weight. Used in high-volume production boats, they help streamline construction. Used at Packet’s “semi-custom” pace and built up in hulls that are hardly weight-sensitive, the grid, as Johnson interprets it, creates an unyielding backbone for the boat. We noted the absence of creaks and flexing, and the bulkheads are built on this solid foundation.

As rugged as the 27 was, she had some problems. Chief among them was cracking in the hull laminate when boats were point-loaded (as in on a jackstand or a reef). Crazing of the gelcoat on the deck was another annoyance with the first boats. The decks are cored (with a factory-developed material still in use after 22 years) and joined (via a solid lip) to an inward-turning flange atop the hull. The joint was bonded with 3M 5200 sealant and clinched with stainless bolts on 6-inch centers. No leaks have been reported to us.

Hardware is attached, as it should be, with aluminum backing plates, and those areas of the deck are solid to avoid crushing the core under load. This system has worked well over the decades, but several owners have reported that they needed to re-bed their chainplates to stop leaks.

Performance You might expect a boat that is heavy and carries a short rig to be at her worst in light air. The owners of the IP 27 have found that to be true. They gave her a composite rating of “poor” in light-air sailing.

On the other hand, with a long waterline, well-faired hull sections, and a shape with effective sail-carrying power, you might expect the Island Packet to reach well, and you’d be right. One of her larger sisters, an Island Packet 35, won a recent Marion-Bermuda Race by sailing fast with the wind on the beam. “We run away from larger boats,” report many owners. When the wind is free the IP 27 is rewarding. The (optional) cutter rig is at its best in these conditions. With the wind on the beam that additional sail area (via the staysail) can boost boatspeed between 10 and 20 percent.

Sailing upwind is not the 27’s strong suit. Wide sheeting angles are one problem. Lack of “bite” from a low-lift keel is another. Short-tacking the boat (even without the problems of feeding a large genoa through the small space between stays on the cutter rig) isn’t always easy. Upwind the staysail adds windage but hardly any drive. And it’s obviously in the way. “It’s sometimes tricky to get her to sail through a tack,” says one owner. Acceleration is slow, which compounds the lack of lift and inefficient steerage, and usually creates an overabundance of heeling moment. Factor in the relatively blunt entry of the beamy hull and you’re not going upwind fast.

A three-bladed prop and the standard Yanmar 2GMF20 offer a pretty good substitute. “We’re faster under power than Catalina 30s and 36s,” brags one IP skipper. Powering astern isn’t so easy, say several owners. Given her underwater configuration you can see why reversing the IP 27 is more of a challenge than backing down in split-underbody auxiliaries.

“It would have been a good idea to put an access panel in the quarterberth so I could get at the starboard side of the engine,” says a Texas sailor. “I would have appreciated a drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan,” says an owner from Maine.

“If I ever need to work on the fuel pump I’ll have to pull the engine,” adds a third from Chesapeake Bay.

Still, most IP owners have good things to say about their diesels.

Conclusions Like all used boats, the IP 27 offers experiences to learn from: “Don’t even bother with the c(l)utter rig and get the big (130-percent) genny, not the little (110) one.” “Upgrade the primary winches and make them self-tailing.”

Unlike some owner groups, the Island Packet family is virtually unanimous in praising the factory. Johnson, Bolin, and company they head receive high marks from virtually every angle. Owners repeatedly spoke to us of their hustle, intelligence, fairness, and expertise. The boat that they began with certainly struck a chord.

That resonance had something to do with updating the venerated long keel and making it “fly,” but we think integrity was the key to the success of the IP 27 (and the line that she started). We mean, first of all, the physical integrity of an overbuilt, robust, pounds-per-dollar value; also the “walking the walk” integrity of a boat that can actually cruise far afield at 27 feet, and finally the day-to-day integrity of a company working to make and keep those values real.

Also With This Article Click here to view “Used Boat Price History.” Click here to view “Owners’ Comments.”

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Can you beach an IP 27 or 26 with their swing keel like you can a southerly? I need a good shallow water cruiser that doesn’t cost a fortune.

Have you done a review of the Island Packet 29? I cant find a review, and there isn’t much mention on the net. I have an IP29. I would be happy to provide my opinion. Captain Harry

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  • Sailboat Guide

Island Packet 27

Island Packet 27 is a 26 ′ 6 ″ / 8.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Robert K. Johnson and built by Island Packet Yachts between 1984 and 1992.

  • 2 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 3 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 4 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 5 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 6 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 7 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 8 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 9 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 10 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 11 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View
  • 12 / 12 Punta Gorda, FL, US 1985 Island Packet 27 $34,900 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Centerboard Model - draft: BU-2.67’/.81m; BD-6.0’/1.83m.

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1985 Island Packet 27 cover photo

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Island Packet Model Information

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The Island Packet 27 features the highly successful Island Packet design concept that combines a modern full keel with handsome traditional styling, a versatile, easily managed rig, and an unusually spacious interior. The moderate draft full keel or optional shoal keel with centerboard give the IP27 capability for bluewater passages as well as exploring shallow coastal waters.

1984   30'   405
1992   26'-6''   35'-0''
243   24'-3''   12'-0''
8000   10'-6''   30'-0''
3000   3'-8''   13'-0''
19 US gal   2'-8''   250
31 US gal   38'-6''   16.2
11 US gal   15   38%
to compare these IP27 specifications with other Island Packet models.

   
3/8''x96' LS   5/16''x81' LS   3/8''x76' LS
7/16''x53' Trophy   3/8''x36' Trophy   7/16''x80' Trophy
5/16''x25' LS   - -   7/16''x31' Trophy
1/8''x30' 7x7 wire   1/4''x56' LS   5/16'' Trophy
            3/8''x30' LS
to compare IP27 running rigging with other Island Packet models.

 
1/4'' PT-2 32 34 35
- - - - - - - - - -
3/16'' PT-2 16 18 19
3/16'' PT-2 16 18 19
- - - - - - - - - -
3/16'' PT-2 19 21 22


for more information about the PT-2 and PT-3 gauges.

If you are not familiar with the process for tuning your rig please contact a qualified rigger in your area.

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Thoughts on the ComPac 27 vs the Island Packet 27?

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Any advice most welcome! Boat would initially be in Biscayne Bay then Seattle. Thanks!  

sailboat island packet 27

I agree with Sal.  

Thanks...  

sailboat island packet 27

They are very similar boats, both good build quality although I think the IP's are the better of the two. They are beamy and shallow so they don't sail like club racer but they are comfortable and roomy. I would not hesitate on to buy either one. Over the years I have found when your talking about older boats and you are on a budget that condition is everything.  

Thanks. Quality and upkeep is very important to me and living in Florida, having a way to get it out of the way of a storm is critical. I've looked at an IP for 20+k and a Compac at 30k I was close on a C-25 last year but it had a nest of issues and to make it right I'd have double my purchase price in it. Appreciate the input.  

sailboat island packet 27

CP27 is a long fin keel with a spade rudder, and the IP27 is a (almost) full keel with a barn door attached rudder. I haven't driven either one, but would guess the CP would be easier to get in and out of a marina. The IP is a cutter rig, which some would like for it's sail reducing options and other would not because it is harder to tack.  

Reversed actually.. The CP is a 'semi fin' SailboatData.com - COM-PAC 27/2 Sailboat and the IP has the cutaway full keel SailboatData.com - ISLAND PACKET 27 Sailboat The Compac is lighter by 2000 lbs and has 3500 lbs ballast The IP27 is 2,000 lbs. heavier but has only 4,000 lbs. ballast  

I haven't sailed a Compac, but I chartered an IP 29 in Florida, and mostly motored. The problem with any heavy displacement, long keel boat is that the keel generates a great deal of drag. In a breeze they can sail fairly nicely, but in moderate to light air, you're frequently relegated to motoring. The only way to overcome that is to pile on sail area in moderate winds, such as a 180% genoa or a symmetrical or assym spinnaker. That makes them more work to sail. The most significant difference I see between the IP27 and the Compac 27 is their displacement. The IP displaces a full ton more than the Compac. That means it will take even more sail power to drive it than the Compac. Between those two, I would choose the Compac for that reason, but my choice for a general purpose coastal cruiser would be a lighter weight fin keel boat with about 4' draft that can be sailed in a wide range of conditions with a mainsail and roller furling jib. My preference would be a boat with fractional rig.  

sailboat island packet 27

The title of this thread should probably either be, if there were only Compac 27's or IP 27's in the world which would you pick or else should include a third choice:; "None of the above", which I will explain once I have commented on the original question. Both of these boats were designed by Bob Johnson and each represent a similar but not really the same thought process. The Island Packet emphasized maximum living space for a given length, and a nice level of fit and finish. The Compac threw in the factors of reasonable cost and decent sailing ability. The similarities would be that each have long shoal draft keels. Each have post hung spade rudders (Someone above mistakely said that the IP had a keel hung rudder. That is not the case) Each have long waterlines for their length. Each have round bottoms with minimal initial stability or damping. But this is where the differences become important. The ComPac has a narrower waterline beam and less surface area so it will have a lot less drag than the Island Packet, It can therefore get by with less sail area in any condition. The Compact has a finer bow and so will do better beating or close reaching into a chop The ComPac has a significantly higher ballast ratio. This is especially critical on a shoal draft keel, that uses low density ballast (as is the case with both of these boats). The rudder on the Island Packet is almost the same depth as the keel making it especially vulnerable in a grounding, and the strap between the keel and the end of the rudder post (which adds absolutely nothing structurally) makes the Island Packet rudder even more vulnerable in a grounding. The ComPac has external chainplates making inspection and maintenance pretty easy. The Island Packet 27 uses internal chainplates that are glassed into the hull. While both only make sense as cost savings construction techiques, the glassed in chainplates on the Island Packet 27 are extremely invasive and expensive to replace, and given that the newest Island Packet 27 is now over 30 years old, the chainplates have now reached the end of their 'best used by' date, On almost all counts the Compac should offer better sailing ability, ease of handling, motion comfort, and seaworthiness. I have not sailed one so I don't know that from experience, but just from looking at the design. I have sailed a IP27. They don't sail well in what I would consider light to moderate conditions. (3-10 knots or wind). The do start to come alive around 10 knots of wind, but get over powered around 15 knots or so with the genoas that are typically used on these boats. By overpowered, I mean that they develop excessive weather helm and heel angles. At that point they need to be reefed. Without running the engine, I found it almost impossible to tack the IP in light to moderate winds when there was even small chop present. Tacking in a heavier breeze was a little more reliable but did not always happen on the first try, and inevitably meant excessive grinding to get the genoa in with marginally undersized winches. The reasons that I suggested that the correct answer should be "none of the above' is that both of these boats have the same fatal flaw. Both have steel ballast set in concrete, (I have seen contradictory information on the ComPac suggesting that ComPac may have changed ballast material at some point.) Ignoring the loss of stability issue from low density ballast in a shoal draft boat, the problem with steel in concrete is that sooner or later moisture will get to the steel, and so sooner or later the steel will rust and expand. And sooner or later the expanded steel will blow apart the concrete holding the ballast together. And at some point the cost of dealing with that mess will become untenable. And that is a tough condition to detect in a survey until its too late. But beyond that, these are both cult boats. They tend to have asking prices which make no sense in terms of their build quality, space onboard, sailing ability, seaworthiness, ease of handling and so on. If you came to this discussion with a blank list of boats and the only information provided is "I plan to sail in Biscayne Bay then Seattle and have $24,000 to spend", I would respectfully suggest that neither of those boats would be on a list of potential candidates. Jeff .  

Jeff_H said: The title of this thread should probably either be, if there were only Compac 27's or IP 27's in the world which would you pick or else should include a third choice:; "None of the above", which I will explain once I have commented on the original question. Both of these boats were designed by Bob Johnson and each represent a similar but not really the same thought process. The Island Packet emphasized maximum living space for a given length, and a nice level of fit and finish. The Compac threw in the factors of reasonable cost and decent sailing ability. The similarities would be that each have long shoal draft keels. Each have post hung spade rudders (Someone above mistakely said that the IP had a keel hung rudder. That is not the case) Each have long waterlines for their length. Each have round bottoms with minimal initial stability or damping. But this is where the differences become important. The ComPac has a narrower waterline beam and less surface area so it will have a lot less drag than the Island Packet, It can therefore get by with less sail area in any condition. The Compact has a finer bow and so will do better beating or close reaching into a chop The ComPac has a significantly higher ballast ratio. This is especially critical on a shoal draft keel, that uses low density ballast (as is the case with both of these boats). The rudder on the Island Packet is almost the same depth as the keel making it especially vulnerable in a grounding, and the strap between the keel and the end of the rudder post (which adds absolutely nothing structurally) makes the Island Packet rudder even more vulnerable in a grounding. The ComPac has external chainplates making inspection and maintenance pretty easy. The Island Packet 27 uses internal chainplates that are glassed into the hull. While both only make sense as cost savings construction techiques, the glassed in chainplates on the Island Packet 27 are extremely invasive and expensive to replace, and given that the newest Island Packet 27 is now over 30 years old, the chainplates have now reached the end of their 'best used by' date, On almost all counts the Compac should offer better sailing ability, ease of handling, motion comfort, and seaworthiness. I have not sailed one so I don't know that from experience, but just from looking at the design. I have sailed a IP27. They don't sail well in what I would consider light to moderate conditions. (3-10 knots or wind). The do start to come alive around 10 knots of wind, but get over powered around 15 knots or so with the genoas that are typically used on these boats. By overpowered, I mean that they develop excessive weather helm and heel angles. At that point they need to be reefed. Without running the engine, I found it almost impossible to tack the IP in light to moderate winds when there was even small chop present. Tacking in a heavier breeze was a little more reliable but did not always happen on the first try, and inevitably meant excessive grinding to get the genoa in with marginally undersized winches. The reasons that I suggested that the correct answer should be "none of the above' is that both of these boats have the same fatal flaw. Both have steel ballast set in concrete, (I have seen contradictory information on the ComPac suggesting that ComPac may have changed ballast material at some point.) Ignoring the loss of stability issue from low density ballast in a shoal draft boat, the problem with steel in concrete is that sooner or later moisture will get to the steel, and so sooner or later the steel will rust and expand. And sooner or later the expanded steel will blow apart the concrete holding the ballast together. And at some point the cost of dealing with that mess will become untenable. And that is a tough condition to detect in a survey until its too late. But beyond that, these are both cult boats. They tend to have asking prices which make no sense in terms of their build quality, space onboard, sailing ability, seaworthiness, ease of handling and so on. If you came to this discussion with a blank list of boats and the only information provided is "I plan to sail in Biscayne Bay then Seattle and have $24,000 to spend", I would respectfully suggest that neither of those boats would be on a list of potential candidates. Jeff . Click to expand...

We purchased a new ComPac 27 in 1986 for around $38,000 at that time I believe that the IP 27's were selling for around $60,000. Though I have never personally priced a new IP 27. I sailed that boat for four years on the Pamlico Sound and its associated rivers. We purchased another '86 ComPac 27 in 2012 for $4200 and eventurally spent $12000(+) fixing it up and sailed it for four more years, again on the Pamlico. During that time I sailed for a 10-15 days on Lake Superior on an IP-27. From a quarter of a mile both boats look remarkably the same, unless you can see the inter stay or stay sail on the IP-27. Jeff_H is right on. -IP fit & finish is well ..... Island Packet. Very nice and comfortable. -The IP-27 sails like a pig and points poorly in 15+ knots of wind. However, I did have a better choice of hank-on sails for the ComPac to match up with varying wind(s). The best point of sail for the CP-27 was reaching or down wind with little chop. -You want to keep the bilge dry in the CP-27. If you buy one up north, where it freezes, you may very well have the ballast problem that Jeff_H speaks of. I have never had any problems with the ballast in 7 or so years of sailing (Southern) '86 CP-27's -The CP-27 was very easy to work on. Superb engine, drive train, steering, and systems accessibility. Removing a few pieces of plywood that separate locker stuff from engine stuff, you can pretty well crawl all around the space under the cockpit. -New ComPac-27's cost well over $100,000 last time I checked and their fit and finish is much better. I have heard that the hulls were actually produced by IP which is located just down the street from Hutchins in Clearwater, FL. - I got tired (and a little older) of getting beat up on the Pamlico in 20+ knots of wind. The CP-27 really pounds with its flat forward sections. Sold it for $15,000 and bought our PS-34. I have been a happier sailor on the Pamlico for the past 4 years. regards charlie  

sailboat island packet 27

Actually, the keel on the C27 is lead and concrete, not steel or iron. No rust issues. Ideally, it would be cast lead glassed in, which it is not. Compac used lead ingots covered in concrete. My 1986 C27 has been living in Maryland and Virginia, on the Chesepeake Bay, and never had an issue with the keel, ballast, etc.  

Thanks for the insight(s)! I learn a lot from you all!  

sailboat island packet 27

In the past I have owned and enjoyed sailing a Morgan Tiger Cub (Charlie Morgan’s first production boat), Cape Dory 28 and a Pearson 34, among a few others. While I’ve never owned an IP, I have sailed on several. All were good boats. Curently I own a Compac 23 and a Compac 27. I agree with most of what has been shared about Compacs and would add one very important difference between them and other boats. Compac is still in business under ownership by the same family since 1974 or so. Any part or piece or answer to specific build or repair questions can easily be obtained by a call or email to Gerry Hutchins, the current owner. I’ve not owned a boat that the manufacturer was still around until I purchased the Compacs.  

Hmmmm, other than that the CP is a great boat with a longevity re cord that matches.  

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  • Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

Never Received Packet 3 from Moscow

By vuhtran June 1, 2008 in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

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Recommended posts, vuhtran   1.

So, does anyone know if it is absolutely critical to have the invitation to get into the embassy? We have downloaded the interview schedule and have the paperwork from the NVC which has the case number on it.

Any help is appreciated.

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Kazan' Tiger

Kazan' Tiger   1

My fiancée only had to state her name. As long is her name is the list of appointments for the day, you should be fine.

Jeffery AND Alla.

0 kilometers physically separates us!

K-1 Visa Granted... Wednesday, 21 May 2008

Alla ARRIVED to America... Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Chuckles   0

Same. The paper wasn't necessary.

K1 Visa Process long ago and far away...

02/09/06 - NOA1 date

12/17/06 - Married!

AOS Process a fading memory...

01/31/07 - Mailed AOS/EAD package for Olga and Anya

06/01/07 - Green card arrived in mail

Removing Conditions

03/02/09 - Mailed I-751 package (CSC)

03/06/09 - Check cashed

03/10/09 - Recieved Olga's NOA1

03/28/09 - Olga did biometrics

05/11/09 - Anya recieved NOA1 (took a call to USCIS to take care of it, oddly, they were helpful)

:)

Thanks everyone for the good feedback. My Irina is now on the train to Moscow and will go to the Medical clinic tomorrow.

sailboat island packet 27

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    Beam:  10'    Draft:  2'3'
    Beam:  7'4'
    Beam:  8.5'    Draft:  4.5'
    Beam:  6'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  7'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  8.0'    Draft:  5''
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  3.5'
    Beam:  7'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  5.5'
    Beam:  24'    Draft:  2'
    Beam:  9.8'    Draft:  4.5'
    Beam:  9'    Draft:  4.5'
    Beam:  11.33'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  12'    Draft:  4'6'
    Beam:  8'
    Beam:  11'
    Beam:  7'    Draft:  3'
    Beam:  6'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  1.5-5'
    Beam:  10.83'    Draft:  5.25'
    Beam:  10.5'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  7'11'    Draft:  1' 11'

sailboat island packet 27

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COMMENTS

  1. ISLAND PACKET 27

    ISLAND PACKET 27. Save to Favorites . Beta Marine. BOTH. US IMPERIAL. METRIC. Sailboat Specifications Definitions Hull Type: Long Keel: Rigging Type: Cutter: LOA: 26.50 ft / 8.08 m: ... Kelsall Sailing Performance (KSP): Another measure of relative speed potential of a boat. It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and ...

  2. Island Packet 27

    Construction. Step aboard this 27-footer and there's no "bobbly" smallboat sensation. At 8,000 pounds she sits solid in the water. The Island Packet 27 displaces as much as 3,000 pounds more than rival auxiliaries of her size and averages about 1,500 pounds heavier than the boats available in her class in 1980.

  3. Island Packet 27 boats for sale

    Find Island Packet 27 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Island Packet boats to choose from.

  4. Island Packet 27

    Island Packet 27 is a 26′ 6″ / 8.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Robert K. Johnson and built by Island Packet Yachts between 1984 and 1992. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in ...

  5. Island Packet 27

    The Island Packet 27 is an American sailboat that was designed by Robert K. Johnson as a cruiser and first built in 1984. Production. The design was built by Island Packet Yachts in the United States between 1984 and 1992. A total of 243 examples were completed, but it is now out of production. Design ...

  6. Island Packet 27 boats for sale

    View a wide selection of Island Packet 27 boats for sale in your area, explore detailed information & find your next boat on boats.com. #everythingboats

  7. Island Packet 27

    The Island Packet 27 features the highly successful Island Packet design concept that combines a modern full keel with handsome traditional styling, a versatile, easily managed rig, and an unusually spacious interior. ... Sailboat Listings: Boat Trader This Website Is Not Affiliated With Nor Operated By Island Packet and Seaward Yachts, LLC ...

  8. Island Packet Yachts for sale

    1989 Island Packet 27. US$31,000. ↓ Price Drop. East Coast Yacht Sales | Spruce Head, Maine. Request Info; New Arrival; 2001 Island Packet 380. US$194,500. SYS Yacht Sales | Port Charlotte, Florida. ... Type of yachts by Island Packet. This builder offers boat hull types including monohull, displacement, catamaran and deep vee that are ...

  9. 1987 Island Packet 27 Sloop for sale

    The 1987 Island Packet 27 is an extraordinary offering that is ready to embark on your dream voyages. This cruising sailboat provides an exceptional opportunity to set sail and explore the waters in style and comfort.Equipped with an extensive list of cruising equipment, this Island Packet 27 is fully prepared for your adventures.

  10. 27' Island Packet Yachts Island Packet 27

    27'. 10'6'. 3'8'. Maryland. $32,500. Description: WELL MAINTAINED & COMFORTABLE A Classic pocket cruiser with much more elbow room than you would expect. She will take you just about anywhere you would want to go in comfort and safety and with surprising performance. The 27 is the perfect family cruiser with room to sleep 4 - 6.

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    Island Packet preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Island Packet used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats. Search. ... 27' Island Packet 27 Punta Gorda, Florida Asking $34,900. 38' Cabo Rico CR 38 Pensacola, Florida Asking $149,000. 34' Cabo Rico Pickwick Lake, Tennessee

  12. 1985 Island Packet 27 sailboat for sale in Florida

    27' Island Packet 27. Year. Length. Beam. Draft. Location. Price. 1985. 27' 10-6' 2-8' Florida. $34,900. Description: She spent her first years in the New England area. Since 2009 she has been at my dock in the winter months. Hauled out in May and launched in Nov. ... Featured Sailboat Added 07-May-2024 Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats.

  13. Thoughts on the ComPac 27 vs the Island Packet 27?

    Reversed actually.. The CP is a 'semi fin' SailboatData.com - COM-PAC 27/2 Sailboat and the IP has the cutaway full keel SailboatData.com - ISLAND PACKET 27 Sailboat. The Compac is lighter by 2000 lbs and has 3500 lbs ballast. The IP27 is 2,000 lbs. heavier but has only 4,000 lbs. ballast. Show more replies.

  14. Island Packet 27 boats for sale

    Find Island Packet 27 boats for sale near you, including boat prices, photos, and more. Locate Island Packet boat dealers and find your boat at Boat Trader!

  15. Island Packet 27 boats for sale in United States

    Find Island Packet 27 boats for sale in United States. Offering the best selection of Island Packet boats to choose from.

  16. 1985 Island Packet 27/CT sailboat for sale in Virginia

    Steal this sailboat! Twenty seven foot Island Packet, 1985. Mint condition. Good sails and canvas work. Low engine hours. Well maintained engine. New anti fouling paint. New bilge. New batteries. ... This Island Packet 27/CT : Added 03-Oct-2023 Island Packet Sailboats Island Packet 27s Virginia Island Packets. Featured Sailboats: Home.

  17. Never Received Packet 3 from Moscow

    Question for the group. My fiance Irina has her interview on June 6 in Moscow BUT, we never received the Packet in teh mail from the embassy. We got a download of all of tghe paperwork required for her interview online and had everything filled out. Talking with my friend John whos wife had gone ...

  18. 1988 Island Packet IP-27 sailboat for sale in Florida

    1988. 27'. 10' 6'. 3'8'. Florida. $39,900. Description: Celestial is a beautiful example of Island Packets best selling pocket cruiser.

  19. 1987 Island Packet 27 sailboat for sale in Florida

    27'. '. '. Florida. $33,000. Description: If you are looking for a classic and comfortable sailboat, look no further than the 1989 Island Packet 27. This boat has a spacious and cozy interior, a well-equipped galley, and a large cockpit for relaxing and enjoying the breeze. The Island Packet 27 is easy to handle, stable, and seaworthy.

  20. 1986 Island Packet 27 sailboat for sale in Virginia

    10.5'. 3.6'. Virginia. $34,000. Description: If you're looking for a classic and comfortable sailboat, look no further then the 1986 Island Packet 27. The boat has a spacious and cozy interior, a well-equip galley, and a large cockpit for relaxing and enjoying the breeze. The Island Packet 27 is easy to handle, single-handedly and seaworthy.

  21. Preowned sailboats for sale under 20 feet

    Preowned sailboats for sale under 20 feet preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats. Search. ... 27' Island Packet 27 Punta Gorda, Florida Asking $34,900. 21' Marine Concepts Sea Pearl 21 Vero Beach, Florida Asking $5,500. 28' Performance Sailcraft Laser 28

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    30' Etchells 22 Nautical Donations Crowleys Yacht Yard 3434 E 95th St Chicago Il 60617, Illinois Asking $12,000

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    Preowned sailboats for sale by owner located in Idaho. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats. Search. Avoid Fraud. ... 27' Island Packet 27 Punta Gorda, Florida Asking $34,900. 38' Cabo Rico CR 38 Pensacola, Florida Asking $149,000. 34' Cabo Rico Pickwick Lake, Tennessee Asking $85,000.