Design and Construction
Johnson retained his long-keel approach for the 440, and the “full foil” keel has proven itself through countless ocean crossings. The hull is a one-piece solid laminate of triaxial fiberglass, infused using Island Packet’s proprietary pressure-fed roller application system and finished with Polyclad3 gelcoat. A molded grid provides structural support.
The ballast is internal, set in cavities within the wide keel section rather than bolted beneath the hull. This arrangement removes a classic failure path. The deck meets the hull at a molded flange and is both chemically and mechanically fastened.
The deck itself uses biaxial and triaxial fiberglass around Island Packet’s proprietary PolyCore core, which the builder guaranteed against rot and delamination for the warranty period. Island Packet offered a 10-year blister and delamination warranty, plus three-year “stem to stern” coverage on these boats.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The 440 is a true cutter. A roller-furling mast came as standard, while the furling staysail is set on a Hoyt boom and self-tacks without crew input. A 110-percent genoa flies on Harken furlers alongside the staysail.
In an Island Packet 440 review, testers found that the Lewmar Cobra rack-and-pinion steering felt solid and responded instantly. Under sail, the boat punched through Chesapeake Bay chop without a hint of pounding. The GPS showed 7.3 knots without trying. Tweaking the traveler, tightening the mainsail leech line, and flattening the staysail increased speed to 7.9 knots.
The full foil keel and large rudder allow the 440 to track well while retaining maneuverability. Under power, she circled in 1.25 boat lengths to either side in reverse and within her own length ahead.
A 75-horsepower, four-cylinder Yanmar turns a large three-bladed propeller and drives the boat at 7 knots. With 160 gallons of diesel, the 440 has a realistic motoring range of more than 800 miles.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The aft cockpit keeps the crew low and the ride dry. Testers described it as wonderfully dry, despite the flared forward sections kicking up spray.
Below, the owner’s stateroom has an offset island berth and a private head with Corian counters and a separate shower stall. The aft cabin also has an angled island berth and its own head, fitted with a folding-door shower stall and a VacuFlush electric toilet.
The galley includes a wraparound Corian counter, a slip-resistant molded sole, and a Force 10 stove and oven. A built-in microwave and water-purification system came as standard.
Eleven removable sole sections provide access to storage spaces and the deep bilge. The boat carries 260 gallons of water.
Equipment and Systems
Island Packet equipped the 440 with premium pre-tinned electrical wire and five standard AGM batteries, including a dedicated engine battery. The charging system uses heavy-duty high-output digital charge controllers.
The aluminum fuel tank is pre-plumbed with extra pickup and return lines, making generator installation easier. The boat is also pre-wired for bow thrusters and a windlass, and electric heads came as standard.
The integral bow platform is wide enough to stand on. A deck hatch opens into a large anchor locker, which is backed by a watertight bulkhead.
Known Issue
The first 10 hulls had a single lid for access to both the fridge and freezer. Later boats received two lids, keeping access separate and reducing temperature loss, as Blue Water Sailing recorded in its review.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 440 is a carefully considered answer to the liveaboard-cruiser brief. It is heavy, dry, and designed to track well on ocean passages. Its cutter rig simplifies sail handling, while the interior works well for a couple and their guests.
The internal-ballast full foil keel and PolyCore deck are sensible, low-maintenance choices for long-term ownership. The early refrigerator-and-freezer lid arrangement is the only production caveat noted here.
Pros
- True cutter rig with a self-tacking, Hoyt-boom staysail and standard in-mast furling
- Internal ballast in the full foil keel eliminates external keel bolts
- Dry aft cockpit and responsive rack-and-pinion steering
- More than 800 miles of realistic motoring range and 260 gallons of water for extended cruising
Cons
- The first 10 hulls use a single shared refrigerator-and-freezer lid
- The 32,000-pound displacement limits acceleration in light air
