Island Packet 26 Mk II Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for an Island Packet 26 Mk II means looking at a small, purpose-built cruiser derived from Walter Scott's early shoal-keel centerboarder before Robert Johnson acquired the tooling and reworked the centerboard and rudder into the fixed-keel Mk II with substantially more draft anchor. Johnson kept the full-length keel and located the fixed ballast low in it, producing a 30-foot pocket cruiser of 8,000 pounds displacement with 3,000 pounds of lead down low and a capsize number over 2 anchor. These are boats meant for a sailing couple or small family to cruise for a week or two, and the used supply sits almost entirely in the United States.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Mk II is a deck-stepped masthead sloop of 10 feet 6 inches beam and a 405-square-foot sail plan, with a 38 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio and a conservative 253 displacement/length ratio anchor. Below, the full-length keel and wide beam yield the interior volume that defines the pocket-cruiser category. Because only 46 hulls were built, buyers should expect individual variation in upholstery and joinery rather than multiple layout generations.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, a bimini and a short-handed setup are commonly fitted to these boats, reflecting their role as manageable coastal cruisers. A short-handed setup matters most here because the deck-stepped mast and double lower shrouds make single-person tuning feasible, while a bimini extends the time a couple can comfortably sit at anchor or motor in sun. Beyond those, buyers should assess rigging and canvas on condition rather than assume specific factory packages.
What to Inspect
The defining known facts are Johnson's changes to the centerboard and rudder and his increased draft with retained full-length keel, so inspect the keel-to-hull junction and rudder attachment for any history of stress anchor. Confirm the fixed ballast remains encapsulated low in the keel and that the deck-stepped mast step shows no water intrusion. The conventional rig—fixed backstay, in-plane spreaders, upper and double lower shrouds—should be checked for corrosion at terminals and for proper tension.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States. For a buyer, the checklist is short and centered on structure and rig:
- Verify keel and rudder modifications show no cracking or repair
- Confirm encapsulated ballast is intact and dry
- Check deck-stepped mast step for water damage
- Inspect standing rigging terminals and shroud attachments
- Look for a bimini and short-handed setup as common conveniences
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Island Packet 26 Mk II. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $13,500 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $13,500 | 0.0% |
| Apr 26 | 3 | $13,500 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Island Packet 26 Mk II listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 4.
Country view
4 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $13,500 | 4 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 27 | 26.5' | $ 29,500 | 40 | 15 |
| Sadler 25 Mk II | 24.33' | $ 6,224 | 23 | 5 |
| MacWester 26 | 26' | $ 4,736 | 6 | 1 |
| Island Packet 26 Mk IIYou are here | — | $ 13,500 | 4 | 0 |