Hull and Deck Design
Bob Johnson's signature contribution to the later Island Packet line was the scoop stern replacing traditional transoms, and it transforms the experience of living aboard at anchor. Boarding from a dock is cleaner, dinghy transfers are far easier, and the built-in swim shower makes returning from the water a proper pleasure rather than an awkward scramble. The stern ladder tucks out of the way, and the low platform sits close enough to the waterline to feel genuinely integrated with the sea.
On deck, the layout reflects years of refinement. Outstanding anti-skid pattern, substantial grab points, and a high toerail combine into a working deck that inspires confidence in a seaway. The foredeck carries dual anchor rollers and a divided anchor-rode locker — details that matter at three in the morning in an unfamiliar anchorage. Fiberglass cockpit coamings and stainless steel grabrails replace much of the teak found on earlier models, a concession to practicality that most owners come to appreciate on their second season.
Rig and Sail Handling
The 370 carries a cutter rig with an in-mast roller-furling mainsail as standard, supplemented by a roller-furling genoa and, optionally, a Hoyt Jib Boom and staysail. The cutter configuration makes particular sense here: jib and staysail halyards are intentionally left at the mast rather than run aft, because on a boat that furls these sails at the beginning of the season and leaves them set, running those lines to the cockpit adds complexity without benefit.
The in-mast furling mainsail is worth understanding clearly before purchase. It is genuinely handy to set and stow by pulling a single line from the cockpit, but the straight leech required by the system costs meaningful sail area, and achieving a good airfoil shape is an acknowledged limitation. In light air, that loss is felt. The boat's displacement-length ratio of 315 means it needs breeze to move well, and the in-mast main does it no favors in those conditions. Buyers who prioritize light-air performance should budget for a conventional slab-reefing mainsail as an upgrade. The Lewmar Cobra rack-and-pinion steering offers reliable feedback and easy control, with excellent sight lines from the helm.
Offshore Sailing Character
The 370 is built for the passage, not the afternoon race. Under test conditions, the boat tacked easily through about 90 degrees, reached at similar speeds to close-hauled, and felt solid throughout. The rack-and-pinion steering, an Island Packet hallmark, transmits real feedback through the wheel without the vagueness that plagues some cruiser helms. The high bow can catch even light cross winds under power, making a bow thruster a worthwhile consideration for marina-intensive cruising, but offshore in a building breeze, that same bow provides reserve buoyancy and confidence.
A comfort ratio of 32 and a capsize ratio of 1.9 place this boat firmly in the capable offshore category — a hull that rewards patience and punishes panic less than it rewards the crew who has their watch schedule sorted and their reefs in early. Island Packet owners have historically used these boats for extended passages, and the 370's solid feel offshore in a good breeze and suitability for reaching through the trades is not marketing copy; it reflects a hull that was genuinely designed for those conditions.
Accommodations and Stowage
The high freeboard and wide beam that look stout at the dock pay off immediately below. The saloon is large by any standard, filled with purpose-built stowage for charts, books, and the accumulating gear of extended cruising. Keel-cooled refrigeration — a simple, trouble-free system that deserves a wider market — replaces the more common holding-plate arrangements; the absence of a compressor cycling in the heat of the night is worth more than the spec sheet suggests.
The forward cabin holds a large island double berth with good access from both sides, an important distinction from the coffin-berth arrangements that plague otherwise well-regarded cruisers. The head opens to both the saloon and the forward cabin, has room to maneuver, and includes a proper shower stall. The aft cabin carries an offset double that serves as a workable seaberth when fitted with a divider. The nav station integrates into the aft cabin with a pass-through to the saloon; electrically adjustable nav seat holds the navigator in position in rough water, though its necessity is debatable. Throughout, the halogen cabin lights run on dimmers — a small detail that matters enormously on overnight passages.
Construction and Known Limitations
The construction quality of the Island Packet 370 is as close to beyond reproach as production boatbuilding allows. Hull and deck are hand-laid triaxial knitted fiberglass; the deck is cored with PolyCore and stiffened by an interior grid system. The hull-to-deck joint is bolted and bonded with urethane sealant, and all deck hardware is through-bolted with aluminum backing plates. Wiring includes messenger lines for future circuits, which reflects genuine long-term thinking about a boat that will be upgraded over its life. ABYC and CE compliance is achieved, and the fiberglass layup leaves nothing to criticize.
The engine compartment is the acknowledged weak point. The Yanmar diesel sits deep in the keel sump, which benefits stability but complicates access. Routine filter changes are tighter than they should be, and the drive shaft and stern gland are buried deep under the aft bunk. This is a boat for owners who either perform their own maintenance with patience or build a relationship with a capable yard. It is not a lazy weekend job.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 370 is a meticulously built, strong, spacious cruiser that does exactly what it promises and nothing it doesn't. It will not win club races, will not dazzle in light-air regattas, and will not impress sailors who measure a boat's worth in knots. What it will do is carry a couple or small crew across an ocean with confidence, comfort, and the knowledge that the boat was built to do precisely this. Its voyaging exploits are limited only by the will of its skipper — a rare claim that the construction quality and thoughtful systems actually support.
Pros
- Dedicated offshore cruising hull with genuine bluewater capability
- Outstanding deck layout with dual anchor rollers, divided rode locker, and logical line management
- Island double berth forward with full access from both sides
- Keel-cooled refrigeration — simple, quiet, and reliable
- Hand-laid triaxial fiberglass construction with through-bolted hardware throughout
- Scoop stern improves boarding, dinghy handling, and swim access significantly
- Rack-and-pinion steering delivers reliable feedback in all conditions
Cons
- In-mast roller-furling mainsail loses sail area and light-air performance; slab-reefing is an upgrade cost
- Engine access is cramped; filter changes and stern gland inspection require patience
- Heavy displacement means the boat needs wind to move; not a light-air flyer
- High bow can catch crosswinds during marina maneuvering — bow thruster advisable
- Electrically powered adjustable nav seat adds complexity without clear necessity
