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Island Packet 26 Mkii
Designer: Walter Scott & Robert Johnson  ·  Builder: Traditional Watercraft/Island Packet  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Island Packet 26 Mkii

Built by Island Packet Yachts, this compact cruiser represents the company's commitment to traditional sailing values in a smaller package. Known for their full keels and cutter rigs, Island Packet designs prioritize seaworthiness and comfort over racing performance, and the 26 Mkii continues this philosophy. This boat appeals primarily to coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who value stability and gentle handling characteristics. The full keel configuration provides excellent tracking and a forgiving motion in choppy conditions, though it sacrifices some pointing ability compared to fin-keeled designs. The Mark II designation suggests refinements to the original 26 model, likely addressing owner feedback and incorporating lessons learned from the water. Island Packet's reputation for building well-constructed fiberglass boats with thoughtful layouts extends to their smaller models. The 26 Mkii typically features a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, with the company's signature attention to livability details. While not suited for serious offshore passages due to its compact dimensions, this boat excels at protected water cruising, day sailing, and short coastal hops where comfort and ease of handling matter more than speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.17 ft / 7.37 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 3.67 ft / 1.12 m
Displacement 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Ballast 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 405.00 ft² / 37.63 m²
Headroom 6.08 ft / 1.85 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Walter Scott & Robert Johnson
Builder Traditional Watercraft/Island Packet
First Built 1982
Last Built 1984
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
234
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.25
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
20.82
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.1
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.59
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.06
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 906.8
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.7
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.9
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.0
SA Fore 206.47
SA Main 195.0
How It Compares

vs. Cape Cod 30, Capri 30 Catalina, Contest 30, Cs 30, Newport 30 3

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
30.0 ft
Cape Cod 30
30.0 ft
Capri 30 Catalina
30.0 ft
Contest 30
30.0 ft
Cs 30
30.0 ft
Newport 30 3
30.0 ft
LWL
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
24.2 ft
Cape Cod 30
23.2 ft
Capri 30 Catalina
25.0 ft
Contest 30
24.9 ft
Cs 30
25.4 ft
Newport 30 3
26.5 ft
Beam
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
10.5 ft
Cape Cod 30
9.0 ft
Capri 30 Catalina
10.8 ft
Contest 30
9.0 ft
Cs 30
10.3 ft
Newport 30 3
10.7 ft
Displacement
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
8 lbs
Cape Cod 30
7 lbs
Capri 30 Catalina
8 lbs
Contest 30
8 lbs
Cs 30
8 lbs
Newport 30 3
8 lbs
Ballast
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
3 lbs
Cape Cod 30
Capri 30 Catalina
3 lbs
Contest 30
4 lbs
Cs 30
3 lbs
Newport 30 3
2 lbs
Sail Area
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
405 sq ft
Cape Cod 30
438 sq ft
Capri 30 Catalina
387 sq ft
Contest 30
362 sq ft
Cs 30
462 sq ft
Newport 30 3
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
234 s/nm
Cape Cod 30
204 s/nm
Capri 30 Catalina
111 s/nm
Contest 30
224 s/nm
Cs 30
150 s/nm
Newport 30 3
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
16.3
Cape Cod 30
19.2
Capri 30 Catalina
15.5
Contest 30
13.6
Cs 30
18.5
Newport 30 3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
Cape Cod 30
Capri 30 Catalina
37.5 %
Contest 30
45.4 %
Cs 30
Newport 30 3
30.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
20.8
Cape Cod 30
23.0
Capri 30 Catalina
Contest 30
27.6
Cs 30
20.8
Newport 30 3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
2.10
Cape Cod 30
1.88
Capri 30 Catalina
Contest 30
1.75
Cs 30
2.05
Newport 30 3
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
Cape Cod 30
251
Capri 30 Catalina
228
Contest 30
254
Cs 30
Newport 30 3
203
Hull Speed
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
6.6 kts
Cape Cod 30
6.5 kts
Capri 30 Catalina
Contest 30
6.7 kts
Cs 30
6.8 kts
Newport 30 3
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Island Packet 26 Mkii ★
2.1
Cape Cod 30
2.4
Capri 30 Catalina
Contest 30
1.8
Cs 30
2.7
Newport 30 3
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