Bob Johnson’s design refines the familiar Island Packet formula with finer bow sections and a longer sailing waterline. The result is a distinct step in the lineage rather than merely a scaled-down copy.
Design and Construction
The 320 has a one-piece, hand-laid solid-fiberglass hull and an encapsulated full keel drawing just 4 feet, 3 inches. Its full, foil-keel underbody evolved from earlier Island Packet designs and shows fewer distortions in the hull lines. Slightly finer bow sections than those of previous Packets improve windward work.
A stern step extends the sailing waterline for better speed and also serves as a boarding platform. Island Packet’s PolyClad gelcoat protection system and trademarked Durashield finish help the hull retain its gloss and resist fading. The builder backed the hull laminate with a limited 10-year warranty against osmotic blisters and the deck core with a 10-year warranty against rot and delamination.
The deck is cored with Poly-core, a matrix of microspheres and resin. It joins the hull at an internal flange that forms part of the bulwark. The joint is chemically bonded with a urethane adhesive sealer and through-bolted, incorporating the caprail and genoa track.
Inside, a molded grid supports the cabin sole, which is finished in varnished teak and holly.
Rig and Sail Handling
The cutter rig uses a keel-stepped main spar and Sobstad sails. Its sail plan includes a 130-percent roller-furling genoa, a double-reefed mainsail, and a Garry Hoyt-inspired, self-vanging and self-tacking staysail boom. That staysail arrangement simplifies shorthanded sailing. A self-furling mainsail was available as a factory-direct option.
Standard running gear includes a boom vang, dual single-line mainsail reefing led aft through Lewmar stoppers, and a traveler with midboom mainsheeting. The deck hardware is substantial: self-tailing Lewmar 40 sheet winches, a Harken jib-furling system, oversized 10-inch cleats, meaty chocks, and stainless-steel chafe guards.
A well-supported integral bowsprit carries two stainless-steel anchor rollers with chocks and hinged deck pipes leading to the forepeak.
Console-mounted rack-and-pinion steering—an Island Packet trademark and the heart of the cockpit—provides helm control through a Whitlock system. When John Kretschmer tested the 320, it gamboled across the bay on a close reach and touched 7 knots a few times, a respectable showing for a heavy cutter.
Under power, the standard three-cylinder Yanmar 3GM30 diesel produces 27 horsepower. Together with 45 gallons of fuel carried in a welded aluminum tank, it provides a realistic range of at least 300 miles.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit combines safety features with practical service details. Equipment includes a sleek line locker hidden in the coaming, a built-in cooler, a shower that reaches the stern step, molded seats on the stern rail, dedicated harness pad eyes, pin-locking drop boards, good-sized scuppers, and a stout bridgedeck.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the 320 provides two legitimate staterooms, each with a Pullman-style double bunk. In the forward owner’s cabin, the berth is to port, while a cedar-lined hanging locker and storage bins sit to starboard.
The aft cabin has an athwartships bunk tucked beneath the cockpit sole, along with a hanging locker, good storage, and the navigation table. Flipping the nav table upright, pinning it in place, and closing a bifold door converts the area into a private cabin.
The U-shaped, seagoing galley includes a double sink, a two-burner propane stove with an oven, and a good-sized icebox. A roll-away trash bin, fiddled edges, and a fold-up counter extension add useful working space and practical detail.
In the main saloon, a bulkhead-mounted table drops into place when needed. Settees run along both sides, with adequate storage behind them. Ventilation is excellent, thanks to nine opening portlights and six overhead hatches, while headroom is just under 6 feet, 4 inches.
Known Issues
The builder’s own 10-year warranties against osmotic blistering in the hull and rot or delamination in the Poly-core deck suggest confidence in the materials rather than a history of failures.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 320 distills the Packet formula into a manageable, well-built cruiser. It trades outright light-air speed for seakeeping, simplicity, and livability. Its encapsulated keel, bonded deck joint, and self-tacking staysail make it a sensible choice for a cruising couple who place safety and easy handling ahead of racing performance.
Pros
- Finer bow sections and an evolved foil-keel underbody improve windward work and reduce hull distortions
- Self-vanging, self-tacking staysail boom and rack-and-pinion steering simplify shorthanded handling
- Two Pullman staterooms, a convertible aft navigation cabin, and excellent ventilation within a 33-foot hull
- Encapsulated full keel and Poly-core deck backed by 10-year builder warranties
Cons
- As a heavy-displacement cutter, it isn’t a strong light-air performer
- A realistic under-power range of at least 300 miles limits long motoring legs
