Island Packet 26 Mk I Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Island Packet 26 Mk I begins with Bob Johnson's acquisition of the original tooling for the Bombay Express 26, a sailboat designed by Walter H. Scott. [2, 3, 4, 8, Johnson, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, founded Traditional Watercraft Inc. and commenced production of this inaugural model from 1980 to 1982. 9, 13,, Builder Article The initial "Island Packet," as it was then called, embodied Johnson's core philosophy of creating sturdy, seakindly offshore cruising boats. The Bombay Express 26, its precursor, was already noted for its ruggedness, a characteristic that Johnson carried forward and refined.

The Island Packet 26 Mk I features a cutter rig, known for breaking down sail area into smaller, more manageable sails, a desirable attribute for offshore sailing. [17, Its hull type is a keel/centerboard configuration, offering flexibility in draft. [3, 9, Notably, this Mk I predates the widespread implementation of the exclusive "Full Foil Keel®" that would become a signature of later Island Packet Yachts. A significantly modified version, the Island Packet MkII (later the 26 MkII), was introduced in 1982, coinciding with the formation of Island Packet Yachts by Bob Johnson and his partners, and also featured a keel centerboard option. [2, 10, 14, With only 29 units built, the Mk I is a relatively rare vessel, marking a significant moment in the builder's evolution.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Island Packet 26 Mk I was designed as a capable cruiser, and its specifications reflect this purpose. With a calculated sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 16.05, she is moderately powered. This suggests that while she might require a bit more wind to achieve optimal speeds, she will remain stable and manageable in heavier air, making her a comfortable vessel for cruising rather than a light-air racer. The ballast to displacement ratio stands at roughly 0.34 (34%), indicating a moderate level of stiffness that contributes to a comfortable motion in a seaway.

Her displacement to length ratio of approximately 255.6 positions her firmly within the category of a moderate to heavy cruiser. This translates to a solid and stable ride, characteristic of boats designed for comfortable passage-making rather than outright speed. The long keel associated with the design, as seen in the subsequent Mk II, provides excellent directional stability, which is beneficial for sustained cruising. The cutter rig further enhances her handling characteristics, allowing for versatile sail plans that can be easily adjusted to suit varying wind conditions, a significant advantage for those venturing beyond protected waters.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its modest length overall of 30 feet, which includes a bowsprit (with a length on deck of 26 feet), the Island Packet 26 Mk I offers a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, aided by its generous 10.5-foot beam. [3, The design provides a notable maximum headroom of 6 feet, a comfortable standing height for many sailors below decks.

While specific detailed interior layouts are best viewed in original brochures or plans, available resources suggest a typical cruising arrangement designed for comfort. Island Packets are generally known for their quality finish and the use of warm, inviting materials such as mahogany for interior joinery, which likely contributed to a welcoming ambiance in the Mk I. The layout would typically include a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees and a table, a compact galley, and a head compartment, providing essential amenities for coastal and extended weekend cruising. The emphasis on robust construction and comfortable interiors has been a hallmark of Island Packet designs from their inception.