Island Packet 32
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About the Island Packet 32
Built from 1990 to 1996 with 120 hulls launched, this Robert Johnson-designed cruiser represents Island Packet's commitment to comfortable, seaworthy sailing. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling options and storm sailing capabilities, while the long keel design delivers steady tracking and directional stability that cruising sailors appreciate. With a displacement of 13,500 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, this yacht offers the solid, planted feel that Island Packet became known for during the 1990s. The generous beam creates spacious accommodations below, while the moderate draft allows access to shallow cruising grounds and gunkholes that deeper boats cannot reach. Her comfort ratio of 26.44 indicates a motion that prioritizes stability over speed, making extended passages more pleasant for the crew. The fiberglass construction follows Island Packet's reputation for robust building standards, and the 27-horsepower auxiliary provides adequate power for maneuvering in tight quarters or powering through calms. This design suits coastal cruising and offshore passages equally well, appealing to sailors who value comfort and seaworthiness over racing performance. The hull's 7.16-knot theoretical hull speed reflects her displacement nature, rewarding patient sailors with steady, predictable sailing characteristics in varied conditions.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
$49,900 – $69,000
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
35.00 ft / 10.67 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
28.58 ft / 8.71 m
Beam
11.50 ft / 3.51 m
Max Draft
4.33 ft / 1.32 m
Displacement
13,500.00 lb / 6,123 kg
Ballast
5,950.00 lb / 2,699 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
654.00 ft² / 60.76 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Long Keel
Rigging Type
Cutter
Construction
FG
Designer
Robert Johnson
Builder
Island Packet Yachts (USA)
First Built
1990
Last Built
1996
Number Built
120
Associations
Official Island Packet Yacht Owners Association
Related Sailboats
["Packet Cat 35 Island Packet" · "Dufour Classic 35" · "Hunter 35 Legend" · "Oyster Sj35" · "Intrepid 35"]
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
Island Packet's full-length inner liner, used throughout this era, is bonded to the hull with polyester resin. Over time the bond between liner and hull can fail, allowing water to become trapped and causing hidden delamination that is difficult to detect without moisture metering or destructive inspection.
The deck hardware on IP boats of this era was typically through-bolted into cored decking (Airex or balsa core). Chainplate and stanchion base areas are known to allow water intrusion into the core, leading to soft spots and core rot around these fittings.
The full-length encapsulated keel used on the IP32 houses the ballast internally. If the keel-to-hull joint develops cracks or the fiberglass encapsulation is breached, water can reach the internal ballast and cause hidden structural deterioration. Inspect the keel-to-hull joint carefully for stress cracking.
The encapsulated keel design makes it impossible to inspect the internal ballast directly. Any hard grounding can crack the fiberglass shell without obvious external damage, trapping water inside. A survey should include moisture metering of the keel.
The integral bowsprit fitted to IP32s for the furling headsail is subject to stress cracking where it meets the hull. The bowsprit-to-hull joint and the chainplates for the bob stay should be inspected carefully for cracking and water intrusion into the surrounding deck laminate.
Many IP32s were fitted with the Universal M-25 or M-25XP diesel. These engines are known for raw water impeller housing cracks, heat exchanger scaling, and injector issues at higher hours. The stuffing box and shaft alignment should also be checked as the full-keel design makes alignment critical.
Island Packet wiring of this era used a mix of wire gauges and routing methods that do not always meet ABYC standards. The DC panel and wiring runs behind the liner are difficult to access and inspect. Corrosion in hidden wire runs is a known problem on boats used in saltwater environments.
The full inner liner creates numerous inaccessible voids between the liner and hull where water can accumulate undetected. Musty odors and standing water in bilge sections are common complaints; bilge pump accessibility is also limited in some areas due to the liner design.
Own or have surveyed a Island Packet 32? Submit a known issue
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
186
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
18.52
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
44.07
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
258.17
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
26.44
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
1.94
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.
7.16 kn
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
1.98
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.
1,174.37 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
15.7
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
41.42 ft / 12.62 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
16.00 ft / 4.88 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
34.33 ft / 10.46 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
13.00 ft / 3.96 m
SA Fore
331.36 ft² / 30.78 m²
SA Main
223.15 ft² / 20.73 m²
SA Total (100%)
554.51 ft² / 51.52 m²
Est. Forestay Length
44.40 ft / 13.53 m
Mast Height (DWL)
45.00 ft / 13.72 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Yanmar
Engine Type
Diesel
Horsepower
27
Fuel Capacity
28 gals / 106 L
Water Capacity
85 gals / 322 L
How It Compares
vs. Dufour Classic 35, Hunter 35 Legend, Oyster Sj35
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
LWL
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Beam
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Displacement
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Ballast
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Sail Area
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Hull Speed
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Island Packet 32 ★
Dufour Classic 35
Hunter 35 Legend
Oyster Sj35