Island Packet 31 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The IP31 was produced in two keel configurations: a fixed shoal keel and a centerboard variant. Both versions appear on the brokerage market with roughly equal frequency, and the choice matters enormously depending on your cruising grounds. The shoal fixed-keel boats are simpler and more maintenance-friendly; the centerboard version opens up thin-water anchorages and cuts draft to as little as three feet, making it popular with buyers bound for the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, or other shallow-water destinations.

The interior layout is consistent across the production run — a functional and spacious arrangement by the standards of the boat's era. Forward V-berths lead to a generous head compartment with shower, a main salon with settees on both sides, and a U-shaped galley positioned in the port quarter. To starboard aft sits a quarter berth that doubles as a navigation station, with the option to enclose it with a folding door. Headroom throughout the main cabin is notably generous for a boat of this length. Island Packet did make incremental refinements from year to year, with later boats benefiting from updates such as stainless steel portlights.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Used examples on the market are commonly fitted with a chartplotter, dodger, bimini, hot water system, and autopilot — all practical additions that reflect the boat's typical cruising-oriented ownership. Radar appears frequently as well, underscoring the offshore-ready intentions of most IP31 owners.

Among owner-driven upgrades, solar panels are a frequent addition, usually mounted on a bimini arch or fixed frame — a sensible answer to the IP31's modest charging setup relative to modern liveaboard electrical loads. Dinghy davits appear on a good number of boats configured for extended cruising. A furling mainsail conversion is sometimes encountered, though the original cutter rig with a hanked-on or furling headsail and working staysail remains common. A cockpit shower rounds out the list of occasional extras.

Sails deserve particular attention at survey. Mainsails on older boats have commonly suffered from UV damage and the effects of regular flogging in light coastal conditions — a full-batten main with a stacking or lazy-jack system is a worthwhile upgrade if the existing main is soft or stretched. Halyards and running rigging on boats that have not had a recent refit are worth budgeting to replace entirely; rope technology has changed substantially and aging cordage can compromise sail shape and ease of handling.

What to Inspect

The IP31 uses solid fiberglass construction for the hull, which is a point in its favor — there are no balsa-core panels in the topsides to absorb water. The deck uses Island Packet's proprietary PolyCore system (polyester resin and microballoons) rather than end-grain balsa, which the company designed to eliminate delamination risk. In practice, owners and reviewers have reported few deck problems, but any prospective buyer should still probe deck hardware mounting points and inspect around chainplates, ports, and hatches for signs of water intrusion that could compromise the cored structure over time.

The interior liner is tabbed to the hull rather than fully removable, which can restrict access to certain areas of the hull below the settees. When surveying, confirm that the bilge is accessible and dry and that there are no hidden voids or soft spots where water might have pooled.

Keel attachment deserves scrutiny on any full-keel boat of this age. The fixed-keel models use iron ballast encapsulated in concrete within the keel cavity rather than lead — a construction choice made to keep the center of gravity compatible with the shallow-draft design. Iron ballast can rust internally over decades, so a marine surveyor familiar with this era of Island Packet should probe the keel-to-hull joint for any weeping rust stains or signs of movement. The centerboard pivot mechanism on board versions should be inspected for wear, corrosion, and ease of operation.

The rudder uses a high-density foam core covered in fiberglass, with a 1.5-inch stainless steel stock. Island Packet incorporated a stainless steel "lobster strap" connecting the keel to the rudder to prevent lines from fouling the propeller — inspect this fitting for corrosion. The rudder itself should be tapped for delamination.

Early boats were fitted with a 22-hp Yanmar diesel; later production switched to a 27-hp unit, which at least one owner found more adequate for bucking tidal currents. Verify which engine is installed, confirm service history is documented, and have the raw-water impeller, heat exchanger, and injectors inspected if records are absent. The propeller sits in a keel aperture, which protects it well but makes control in reverse noticeably sluggish — this is expected behavior for this hull form and not a defect.

Mast step and chainplate connections merit close attention given the boat's age. The IP31's double-headsail cutter rig puts load on an inner forestay as well as the headstay; the builder engineered the Isomat spar to handle this without running backstays, but that makes regular inspection of the standing rigging and mast base critical.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The IP31 is most widely available in the eastern United States — the Chesapeake Bay, the Southeast coast, and Florida waters are the most productive hunting grounds. The US Virgin Islands also yield examples, reflecting the boat's popularity with owners who have completed the offshore leg to the Caribbean. It is an uncommon sight outside North American and Caribbean waters.

The IP31 ownership community is notably loyal and well-organized, and the factory has historically maintained good owner relations. That community is a genuine asset when chasing down parts, refit guidance, or a second opinion on a survey finding.

Pre-purchase checklist:

• Keel-to-hull joint — inspect for rust weeping or movement (iron ballast, not lead)
• Deck hardware mounting points and portlights — probe for moisture in PolyCore structure
• Centerboard pivot (if applicable) — corrosion, wear, and ease of operation
• Rudder — tap for delamination, check stainless stock and lobster strap
• Engine service records — impeller, heat exchanger, injectors, cooling system
• Standing rigging and inner forestay — age, swage condition, mast step
• Sails — UV damage to mainsail and headsail UV cover; check staysail condition
• Running rigging — halyards and sheets for age and elasticity
• Electrical system — house bank capacity, alternator output, solar (if fitted)
• Hull access below liner — confirm bilge is reachable and dry