Despite its name, the boat measures 38 feet overall. With a 12-foot beam and a long, shallow full keel, it was designed for seakindliness rather than speed. Johnson gave it high freeboard, a tall cabin trunk, and a beautifully drawn, sweeping sheerline with a bowsprit.
Design and Construction
The hull form is a “modern” full keel: a modern canoe body paired with a full-length, fin-like keel. Standard draft is four feet six inches. A keel/centerboard version draws three feet eight inches with the board up.
The hull is built of solid fiberglass cloth and polyester resin, stiffened by a structural grid and molded liners. Two gel coats are used: a blister-resistant formulation below the waterline and a high-gloss finish above it. The deck and hull are bolted together on an inward flange, and the deck is cored with Polycore, a resin filler. At the stern, a stainless steel strap ties the base of the rudder to the keel. The builder offered a 10-year warranty.
Rig and Handling
The Island Packet 35 is cutter-rigged, and its published sail area of 735 square feet includes the staysail. Against a displacement of 17,500 pounds, that produces a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 15.2. As a result, light-air performance suffers.
The cutter rig and shallow draft suit shoal-water cruising, while the long keel reflects the design’s emphasis on steady cruising rather than outright pace.
Accommodations
The interior follows a practical cruising layout. A V-berth occupies the bow, with the head to port. In the saloon, twin settees face each other. Farther aft are an aft-facing navigation station, a galley to starboard, and a quarter berth in the port aft cabin.
High freeboard and the tall cabin trunk contribute to a roomy interior.
Known Issues
Rudder delamination and separation are quite common problems on older Island Packet models, including the 35. The common rudder problem on older models begins when the skin admits water and the foam becomes saturated; the assembly can then let go at the keel strap.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 35 is a purpose-built cruiser that favors hull robustness and livability over pace. Its shallow draft and cutter rig suit shoal cruising, while the solid hull and dual resin make quiet arguments for longevity. The rudder is the service item.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull with a structural grid and blister-resistant gel coat
- Shallow four-foot-six-inch draft
- Keel/centerboard option drawing three feet eight inches with the board up
- Roomy layout created by the high freeboard and tall cabin trunk
- Cutter rig with a sail plan that includes the staysail
Cons
- Light-air performance limited by the 15.2 sail-area-to-displacement ratio
- Rudder delamination common on older models
