Island Packet 45 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for an Island Packet 45 means looking at a 45'3" full-keel cruiser designed by Bob Johnson and built between 1996 and 2000, with 42 examples produced. She is a heavy, liveaboard-oriented passage boat rather than a racer, and the used fleet reflects that original intent through layout and equipment choices. Ex-charter examples are common, so condition history matters as much as specification.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common on the used market, though both layouts appear. The standard interior accommodates two couples, with both staterooms adjoining heads and a forward Pullman berth with the head placed forward two couples with adjoining heads. A large nav station and an outboard wet locker serve the passage-making brief. Ex-charter boats may show higher wear in these shared spaces, so inspect joinery and head compartments closely regardless of which layout is offered.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Power and energy systems dominate the consequential upgrades. Lithium batteries, inverters, and solar are commonly fitted, and a watermaker is also common — together these support independent living without shore power. Often-seen additions include a freezer, heating, and autopilot, which extend comfort and reduce crew load on passage. For sail handling, a short-handed setup is often seen, and canvas such as a bimini and dodger is commonly fitted; a bow thruster appears only as a less common owner upgrade. A chartplotter is common, with radar often seen, covering the navigation cluster.
What to Inspect
The hull is a solid fiberglass unit with encapsulated lead ballast and no external keel bolts, and the full keel shows no forefoot distinction no distinction between the forefoot and keel. The big rudder is hung with balance area to lighten helm loads. Inspection should follow normal used-boat practice for a 1996–2000 cruiser rather than chasing a known weak point.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The used fleet turns up in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and French Polynesia. For a buyer, the checklist is straightforward: confirm which layout is fitted and whether the boat is an ex-charter unit; verify the lithium, solar, and watermaker cluster if off-grid living is the goal; check the cutter rig and staysail configuration; and assess the hull and keel as you would any cruiser of the era.
- Confirm layout and ex-charter history
- Verify power, water-making, and solar equipment
- Inspect hull and encapsulated ballast normally
- Assess rig and canvas for passage readiness
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Island Packet 45. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 9 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 1 | $259,000 | — |
| Jun 25 | 1 | $189,900 | -26.7% |
| Jul 25 | 2 | $169,500 | -10.7% |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $180,750 | +6.6% |
| Dec 25 | 2 | $149,500 | -17.3% |
| Jan 26 | 5 | $136,143 | -8.9% |
| May 26 | 1 | $115,697 | -15.0% |
| Jul 26 | 5 | $135,000 | +16.7% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $135,000 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Island Packet 45 listings appear across 4 countries. United States has the most listings with 6 (40.0%), followed by Australia and French Polynesia.
Country view
15 listings · 4 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $149,500 | 6 | 1 | 40.0% |
| Australia | $134,040 | 4 | 0 | 26.7% |
| French Polynesia | $135,000 | 4 | 4 | 26.7% |
| New Zealand | $115,697 | 1 | 0 | 6.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
8 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Sun Odyssey 45 | 45.01' | $ 168,854 | 104 | 26 |
| Island Packet 40 | 40' | $ 159,000 | 52 | 19 |
| Island Packet 465/495 | 48.75' | $ 325,000 | 17 | 5 |
| Island Packet 45You are here | — | $ 135,000 | 16 | 6 |
| Island Packet 445 | 45.75' | $ 359,000 | 15 | 0 |
| Catalina Morgan 45 | 45.25' | $ 40,000 | 11 | 9 |
| Dufour Classic 45 | 45.92' | $ 107,812 | 10 | 1 |
| Oyster 45 | 44.33' | $ 289,254 | 4 | 0 |