At 21,000 pounds of displacement with 8,300 pounds of ballast, the 370 is moderately heavy. Directional stability, practical accommodations, and a sheltered, workable deck define its character.
Design and Construction
The hull and deck are hand-laid triaxial knitted fiberglass, while the deck uses PolyCore rather than an organic core material. An interior grid stiffens the hull, and the hull-to-deck joint is bolted and bonded with urethane sealant. Deck hardware is through-bolted with aluminum backing plates, reflecting the builder’s emphasis on long-term structural integrity.
A few years ago, designer Bob Johnson replaced Island Packet’s traditional transoms with scoop sterns that provide a large platform near water level. The deck has the marque’s familiar, outstanding anti-skid pattern, along with excellent grab points where they’re needed. A high toerail and all-fiberglass cockpit coamings suit the boat’s low-maintenance approach. Stainless steel grabrails inside and out further reduce upkeep, and there’s less teak than on earlier models. All exterior teak is treated with Cetol.
Rig and Sail Handling
The 370 is cutter-rigged, with an in-mast roller-furling mainsail now standard. In-mast furling brings a significant loss of sail area because the leech must be straight, though total sail area, including the staysail, remains 814 square feet.
The boom is easy to reach, and line-tail bins help control the spaghetti of lines led aft. Together, these details make the deck practical for short-handed sailing. Island Packet also gets the lead routing right by leaving the jib and staysail halyards at the mast. The test boat carried the optional Hoyt Jib Boom and staysail, as well as a Muir anchor windlass.
Under Sail and Power
Test sailors found that the 370 tacked easily through about 90 degrees. It reached at roughly the same speed as it sailed close-hauled. The high bow, however, may catch even light crosswinds.
Under power, the boat had a small turning circle, stopped and reversed reliably, and showed no prop kick to either side. Rack-and-pinion steering has long been an Island Packet reliability feature, and the latest Lewmar Cobra system fitted to the test boat was a marked improvement.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit seats are very comfortable, with nicely angled backs. Large seat lockers provide useful capacity, and their interior catch releases allow a trapped crewmember to get out.
The scoop stern provides convenient access near water level, while the high toerail, secure grab points, and effective anti-skid contribute to a sheltered, practical deck layout.
Accommodations
Below, the 370 has a huge saloon with handy stowage for charts, books, and cruising necessities. The efficient galley also offers plenty of stowage, along with a double sink set slightly off the centerline.
The forward cabin has a large island double berth with good access from both sides. The head provides plenty of room to maneuver and includes a separate shower stall, with doors opening to both the saloon and forward cabin.
In the aft cabin, the offset double appears suitable as a seaberth when fitted with a divider. The navigation station is integrated into this cabin, with a pass-through to the saloon. Its electrically powered adjustable seat adds quiet comfort, as do halogen lights on dimmers throughout the interior.
The navigation station itself has no breaker panel. Instead, the circuit breakers and meters are mounted behind a cabinet door, keeping the station face uncluttered at the cost of more remote access.
Engine and Systems
The Yanmar diesel sits deep in the keel sump. On the test boat, it provided ample power: 3,000 rpm produced 7 knots of boatspeed. Its low position contributes to the boat’s mass distribution, but the record doesn’t characterize the arrangement beyond its location.
Keel-cooled refrigeration provides a simple, efficient, trouble-free system used by few builders. By eliminating the refrigerator’s dependence on a fan and sea strainer, it reflects the 370’s broader preference for straightforward systems.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 370 is a purpose-built cruiser that brings the marque’s full-keel heritage into a manageable 38-foot footprint. Its substantial construction, practical deck ergonomics, and generous belowdecks stowage are aimed squarely at liveaboard passagemaking rather than performance racing. Optional cutter additions increase its flexibility in light air and close quarters.
Pros
- Hand-laid triaxial fiberglass hull, PolyCore-cored deck, and bolted-and-bonded hull-to-deck joint
- Scoop stern, outstanding anti-skid, high toerail, and cockpit lockers with interior catch releases for crew safety
- Standard keel-cooled refrigeration and in-mast furling, with well-planned line routing for short-handed sailing
- Reliable reversing, a small turning circle, and no prop kick
- Improved rack-and-pinion steering on the test boat
Cons
- Significant loss of sail area with the standard in-mast furling system
- High bow may catch light crosswinds while maneuvering
- No breaker panel on the navigation-station face
- Engine placement deep in the keel sump complicates access
