Design and Construction
The Island Packet 38 measures 38 feet on deck and nearly 42 feet overall, including her protruding bowsprit. She displaces 21,500 pounds and carries 10,000 pounds of ballast integrated into a long keel. The boat holds a Category A offshore rating.
The hull was molded in one piece using hand-laid fiberglass construction, with strong triaxial glass unified with a molded interior grid structure. The deck was cored with a synthetic material that is nearly impervious to rot. The builder claimed that this sandwich-construction core does not absorb moisture like balsa or other fillers.
All deck hardware was through-bolted with aluminum backing plates. The deck itself was secured to the hull flange with bolts, lock nuts, and adhesives. Chainplates are embedded in the fiberglass hull rather than mounted externally.
The lead keel is encapsulated in fiberglass, providing stability and directional control while protecting the propeller and rudder. A balanced, skeg-hung rudder with a stainless steel stock completes the steering arrangement. A vinylester resin barrier coat on the fiberglass hull was intended to prevent osmosis.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
The 38 is a long-keeled, aft-cockpit cutter with a keel-stepped anodized aluminum mast. The mast carries two sets of spreaders and supports a mainsail, staysail, and genoa on twin backstays.
Her cutter-style standing rigging uses stainless steel wire with swaged terminals and turnbuckles. Sailhandling equipment includes self-tailing Lewmar winches, a mainsheet traveler, a boom vang with preventer package, and a single-line reefing system. In-mast furling for the mainsail and roller furling for the headsails were specified for convenience.
The full-keel hull is relatively slow, and the boat isn’t particularly responsive in light or moderate air. Even so, she is regarded by owners and reviewers alike as easy to handle and maintain. Heavy displacement also limits sporty performance under sail, and she can be sluggish off the wind.
Cockpit and Deck
The roomy cockpit has high coamings, long seats, a folding table, a shower, a folding swim ladder, and cavernous lockers. A single pedestal-mounted wheel handles the steering, with instruments and engine controls grouped at the helm.
Wide side decks, high bulwarks, and sturdy handrails help crews move around the boat. A molded-in nonskid surface adds security underfoot. Numerous opening ports and hatches bring light and ventilation below.
The 38’s appearance won’t suit everyone. Her high freeboard, chopped-off transom, and slablike sprit divide opinion.
Accommodations
The Island Packet 38 can accommodate up to seven people in three separate cabins, with maximum headroom of 6 feet 4 inches.
The forward cabin has a large Pullman berth, ample storage, and an ensuite head with shower. In the main saloon, a U-shaped dinette converts to a double berth, while the settee converts to a single. A fold-down table serves the saloon, and the navigation station sits to starboard, forward of the galley.
The U-shaped galley includes an LPG range with oven, double deep sinks, a 14-cubic-foot icebox, a teak dish rack, and cutlery drawers. Pressurized hot and cold water serves the galley and both heads.
The aft cabin contains a large double berth and a hanging locker, with access to the second head and shower. Four dorade vents assist ventilation throughout the interior.
Engine and Tankage
A 44-horsepower, freshwater-cooled Yanmar diesel drives a direct shaft. Fuel capacity is 57 gallons, with provision for a supplemental flexible tank.
The boat also carries 157 gallons of water and has 30 gallons of holding capacity. This generous tankage, combined with the three-cabin layout, suits extended cruising.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 38 is a deliberately comfort-oriented offshore cruiser. Her solid hand-laid construction, encapsulated lead keel, and embedded chainplates reflect a builder focused on durable, low-maintenance bluewater capability rather than pace.
The three-cabin layout, accommodation for seven, two heads, and generous tankage make her well suited to extended cruising. The trade-off is sailing performance: the full keel and heavy displacement make her relatively slow, particularly off the wind and in light to moderate air.
Pros
- Solid hand-laid fiberglass hull with triaxial glass and an interior grid
- Lead ballast encapsulated in the fiberglass keel, with protection for the rudder and propeller
- Three-cabin layout sleeping seven, with two heads and 6 feet 4 inches of headroom
- Rot-resistant synthetic deck core and through-bolted hardware
- Category A offshore rating
- 157 gallons of water and 57 gallons of fuel
Cons
- Full-keel hull is relatively slow and unresponsive in light to moderate air
- High freeboard, chopped-off transom, and slablike sprit divide opinion
- Heavy displacement limits sporty sailing performance
- Can be sluggish off the wind
