Island packet 29

greggron

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A friend of mine has expressed interest in the purchase of an Island Packet 29. I'd appreciate any advice/pros/cons from those in the know on here.

He's not interested in racing and most use would be coastal with longer distance passages an ambition. Sailing either single handed or likely 2 up.

TIA
 

Topcat47

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Heavy displacement, long keel, cutter rig; sounds ideal for what he intends. I wouldn't mind one myself as they're a bit roomier than my Nic26, although they don't point as well. As gentlemen don't sail to windward, perhaps it won't bother him. A bit over priced IMO, but there you go............ He might also consider a Vancouver 27/8.
 

Tranona

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Just what it looks like. Short, fat, heavy, scaled down version of the company's more popular larger boats. If he likes that kind of boat it has the advantage of being well built and expensive when new 25 years or so ago. arguably better than other heavy displacement boats of similar size because of the longer waterline, wider beam and cutter rig with bowsprit that gives it a reasonable sail area. The shallow draft may be valuable, but won't be great to windward.

Google it for more information including a review from practical sailor. Mostly US orientated as that is where most were sold.
 

Monique

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Common problem with the chain plates apparently. Unless this work has been done and is proven by invoice, they are courting a very painful £££££ surprise. Slow.
 

ip485

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Great sea boat, lovely action, great build and roomy. Inevitably all the disadvantages of a long keel, and, also the advantages. The most important point is to understand the performance.

There are two very good forums for Island Packet owners and those interested with a raft of technical information and points to look out for. Well worth a good read, if its not there, it isnt worth worrying about.

Obviously all owners think theirs is the perfect yacht, so take that as read, but make sure you know what long keel vessels do and dont do well.
 

rotrax

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Common problem with the chain plates apparently. Unless this work has been done and is proven by invoice, they are courting a very painful £££££ surprise. Slow.

The well known chainplate failure on pre 1998 Island Packets was due to poor maintenance. If the GE Silpruf-IIRC-was cleaned out from the chainplates where they leave the deck/hull joint and renewed every few years water could not penetrate and cause the crevice crack corrosion that allowed them to fail.

Ergo, only poorly maintained ones are likely to fail.

Post 1998 better material and drainholes fixed it-problem now in the past.

Bottom line is very few sailing boats of the age of an Island Packet 29 are as spacious inside and are of equal build quality.

The sailing performance is typical heavyweight small yacht with a shallow draught, not good to windward but with an easily handled cutter rig and a comfortable motion-as much as a small boat can be comfortable anyway!

They are very good on the hook or alongside, which for some people is more important than sailing ability.

You pays yer money and makes yer choice.........................
 

rotrax

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Nice boat. Still amazes me that someone will pay that much for an IP but not half that money for my very shiny and renewed Catalina 270 of the same year...


Our previous IP was 14 years old when we had the Gosport Sealift do the antifoul and polish the hull.

While I was in the office paying the polisher was showing a fender rub-a pretty bad one that was there when we bought her 4 years previously-to first mate. He said he could not get it any better without going very deep into the gelcoat which he was loth to do.

She told him not to worry, it looked lovely after his hard work and the boat was, after all, 14 years old.

He was gobsmacked. He said he thought it was an almost new boat.

And it was not renovated and renewed, just maintained by a couple of retirement age old farts.............................

Perhaps the inherant difference in quality makes the price differential?

End of the day it is only worth what you can get for it!
 

1Sailor

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Does anyone know if the lead ballast of Island Packet 27s & 29s is encapsulated in concrete or resin?

Thank you.
 

coopec

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Does anyone know if the lead ballast of Island Packet 27s & 29s is encapsulated in concrete or resin?

Thank you.
They use resin and mortar.

"First, the open space of the keel area is filled with ballast. Depending onthe Island Packet model, ballast material is either lead, iron or a combination of the two. After the ballast components have been carefully weighed and placed into the keel, gallons of catalyzed resin are poured evenly over the ballast. Due to its low viscosity the resin quickly reaches the bottom of the keel to lockin the lower pieces. The remainder of the ballast is then encapsulated in mortar. Special vibrating probes are used to ensure the absence of air voids, much like the way structural members for bridges and buildings are made. This simple and effective process has proven itself for decades in thousands of yachts"

http://dicksimonyachts.com/Brochures...urBrochure.pdf
 

rotrax

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Those who knock Island Packet might do well to follow coopec's link.

It clearly demonstrates the build quality and thus the reason for high retained value.

As all boats are, they are a compromise.

Most owners are happy with the performance limitations against their other attributes. They are perfect for a retired cruising couple as they are easy to manage under sail.

As I have said many times before, not for everyone.
 
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rotrax

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Not sure you ever really learn. You just become less aprehensive.

Our previous model, a 350, had no bowthruster.

Going astern was never the same twice.

The current one has a thruster and this assists in getting it somewhere near straight. Once it is straightish, not too bad.

First Mate, I/C steering, says its lots of fenders and prayer!

Would not change to another marque though, it is the best compromise we could find for our particular needs.
 

stuartwineberg

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Seems to be an issue with corrosion in the aluminium holding tanks which in most models are under the floor and require cutting out to access. Seems not to be a problem in newer boats that have a GRP tank. Just based on reading not on personal experience as I like the boats and wanted to learn more. The chainplate issue seems very widespread looking on USA sites - apparently due to crevice corrosion in the encapsulated structure as well as due as rotrax says to failure to maintain the deck sealant. Several people seem to have replaced the chainplates with titanium.
 

ashtead

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An island around 435 came to visit us in Haslar -lovely boat which had sailed from Med but berthing seemed to be a challenge for the owner notwithstanding his obvious experience in having reached Solent and a lovely solid boat. Not certain I would want to stern moor in a greek harbour alongside the sun sail fleet types watching on.
 

rotrax

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Nor would I..............

Seems to be an issue with corrosion in the aluminium holding tanks which in most models are under the floor and require cutting out to access. Seems not to be a problem in newer boats that have a GRP tank. Just based on reading not on personal experience as I like the boats and wanted to learn more. The chainplate issue seems very widespread looking on USA sites - apparently due to crevice corrosion in the encapsulated structure as well as due as rotrax says to failure to maintain the deck sealant. Several people seem to have replaced the chainplates with titanium.

Yes, you are right. Two common issues.

Surprisingly the IP Facebook site shows owners of older models very happy to do serious upgrades to older models at great expense. Mostly in the USA of course, where they can be purchased more cheaply.

Chainplates are not an issue post 1998 when the material was changed and drain holes incorporated into the construction. Aluminium holding tanks do fail, sometimes the fuel tanks.

Despite this they are popular with American Cruisers, many who embrace a long term liveaboard lifestyle on their IP's.

The Largo, Florida, factory shop can supply parts and arrange specialist work like cabinet making. Several long time IP dealers offer renovation services.

Sadly, not here in the UK.
 
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