Hull Form and Design Philosophy
The hull is what naval architects call a modern full keel — not a traditional wineglass cross-section, but a modern canoe body combined with a full-length fin-like keel that delivers higher lift than its ancestors while retaining the benign behavior of a long-keel form. The rudder's base connects to the keel via a stainless steel strap rather than being fully faired in, giving it the directional stability of a traditional design alongside a more efficient foil shape. Bob Perry, who reviewed the design for Sailing Magazine, noted that the Island Packet combines contemporary hull design with the forgiveness of a long keel to give the owner an easily handled yacht that takes care of itself with little helm assist — precisely what a long-keel boat should do.
Standard draft is four feet six inches, though a keel-centerboard variant drawing three feet eight inches with the board raised was offered as an option. One reviewer cautions that the disadvantages of minimal draft outweigh the advantages unless extremely shallow water is a primary requirement. Draft aside, the 35's proportions are subtler than they first appear: high freeboard and a high cabin trunk are disguised by a beautifully drawn sweeping sheerline and bowsprit, which make the boat look longer and lower than it really is, while the bowsprit-platform nicely extends the sheerline making the boat appear longer and lower.
Construction
Island Packet built the 35 using a solid laminate of fiberglass cloth and polyester resin, strengthened by a structural grid system and molded liners secured with fiberglass or structural adhesives. The hull-to-deck joint is sealed and bolted on an inward flange. A distinctive IP feature is deck construction with "Polycore," a mixture of resin fillers, rather than the more common balsa or foam core. Minor laminate separations have been noted on older models, but serious structural failures are rare. The company backed its build quality with a ten-year warranty, and significant structural failure of an Island Packet hull is yet to be found. That reputation for solidity is a consistent reason buyers pay a premium for these boats.
Rig and Offshore Handling
The IP35 carries a cutter rig, which opens up a useful reefing hierarchy for passagemaking. Perry describes the tactical logic: you can drop the yankee and power to weather under the mini-masthead rig with the staysail, creating a compact, self-tending storm configuration without needing to touch the main. Single spreaders are adequate because the chainplates are out at the sheer, giving a favorable shroud angle without runners. The staysail boom is a minor compromise — Perry notes he is not crazy about booms on staysails, since with no overlap the staysail is already easy enough to sheet without one.
Where the rig underpromises is in light air. The sail area-to-displacement ratio, calculated correctly at 15.2 using standard foretriangle measurement rather than the combined staysail and yankee area that inflates the manufacturer's published figure to 17.4, is conservative. The IP35 is a stable, comfortable cruising boat with no pretense at being a performance cruiser or contender on the racecourse, and owners should go in clear-eyed about light-wind motoring. Under power, the full hull lines deliver water to the propeller with less turbulence for greater efficiency, which partly compensates.
Accommodations
The full hull lines let the designer push interior components into the ends and really load this boat with accommodations — remarkable for a 35-footer. The layout runs V-berth forward, port-side head, opposing saloon settees with an aft-facing nav station at the port aft end, a large starboard galley, and a port quarter-berth cabin aft. The 12-foot maximum beam and wide waterline beam allow accommodations to be pushed outboard, providing plenty of livable space and good storage that is tough to match in this size range. Water tankage of 85 gallons and fuel of 28 gallons support extended passages. The Yanmar 3GM diesel — long-lived and durable when properly maintained, with good access for routine service — provides reliable auxiliary propulsion.
Known Issues and Inspection Points
Two areas deserve focused attention on any pre-purchase survey. First, rudder delamination and separation is a problem quite common to a number of older Island Packet models including the Island Packet 35 and should be closely inspected and monitored. This is not a manufacturing defect unique to a handful of boats but a recurring finding across the model run. Second, the Polycore deck construction, while generally sound, calls for keeping an eye on minor separation of the fiberglass laminate from the core on older models. Neither issue is disqualifying, but both reward careful survey work and regular monitoring once aboard.
Refits and Upgrades
The IP35's conservative engineering translates directly into refit predictability. The Yanmar 3GM is a well-supported engine with a long service history, and replacement parts and rebuild knowledge are widely available. The cutter rig's geometry is stable — chainplates set at the sheer mean standing rigging loads are distributed sensibly, and the single-spreader configuration is straightforward to inspect and replace. For owners chasing light-air performance, a larger asymmetric sail set flying from the bowsprit platform is a logical addition that works with the existing hardware rather than fighting it. Those upgrading electronics will find the nav station's aft-facing position and generous chart table genuinely useful for routing gear, chartplotters, and SSB installations.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 35 is an honest boat designed for people who cruise rather than race. Its full-keel stability, cutter rig versatility, exceptional interior volume, and solid construction make it a compelling choice for extended coastal passages and bluewater voyaging. The recurring rudder delamination issue and light-air limitations are real, but neither redefines what the boat is built to do.
Pros
- Long-keel form delivers exceptional directional stability and self-steering behavior
- Cutter rig provides flexible, seamanlike reefing options for heavy-weather sailing
- Interior volume and storage are genuinely exceptional for the waterline length
- Solid fiberglass construction with a strong quality-control track record
- Yanmar auxiliary is proven, parts-supported, and efficient under power
Cons
- Conservative SA/D ratio of 15.2 means the engine earns its hours in light air
- Rudder delamination is a documented, recurring issue requiring active monitoring
- Keel-centerboard option's shallow draft comes at a meaningful performance cost
- Overall length of 38 feet including bowsprit demands a larger slip than the on-deck measurement suggests
