BoatsIsland Packet 38

Island Packet 38

Cutter · Long Keel · 1986–1993

A 38-foot cutter with a 1.52-metre draft, balancing a heavy 4535-kilogram ballast for offshore stability

Designed by Robert K. Johnson.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Long Keel

See her sail

The Island Packet 38, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Be The Captain

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 33 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 33
CoastalBluewater

1.83 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.83
LightHeavy

267 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 267
EasygoingPowered-up

15.3 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 15.3
TenderStiff

47% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 47%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Heavier than ~75% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~84% of boats her size on file

Compared with 412 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Island Packet 38, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Island PACKET 38 is a Robert K. Johnson-designed cutter-rigged sailboat built by Island Packet Yachts from 1986 to 1993, known for its full-foil keel and robust bluewater capability. This 11.6-meter (38-foot) vessel has a 3.9-meter beam, a 1.5-meter draft, and displaces 9752 kg.9:38 Its full-foil keel, a Johnson innovation, provides tracking stability and a gentle motion while generating hydrodynamic lift, contrasting with the fin-keel trend of its era. Construction features a one-piece, hand-laminated solid fiberglass hull and keel molding, with no keel bolts.2:28 The Island PACKET 38 is considered a bluewater-capable sailboat, offering high headroom and a full keel.9:19 When evaluating used models, buyers should inspect for chronic water intrusion, which can manifest as delaminated cabin soles, rotted bulkheads, and moldy interiors.4:46 Neglected running rigging and failed deck hardware bedding are also common issues.15:39

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 2 times across 2 channels of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Island Packet 38 on video

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model come up for sale.

1seen for sale
1channel weighed buying one

  • An Island Packet 38 listed for sale, which has extensive water damage to its decks, interior, and bulkheads due to leaking chain plates and deck screws

    from Be The Captainseen March 2025watch

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
46.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cutter
Ratios
SA / displacement
15.3
Displacement / length
267.1
Comfort ratio
32.7
Capsize screening
1.83
Hull speed
7.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1494
Hull
Hull type
Long Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1986–1993
Units built
188
Designer
Robert K. Johnson
Builder
Island Packet Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Island Packet 370/37911.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA long-running cutter produced from 2003 to 2019, featuring a skeg-hung rudder and a stable 1.3-metre draft
Island Packet 370: What You Should Know | Boat Reviewfrom Practical Sailor
Shannon Yachts 3811.51 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthThe inaugural model from Shannon Yachts, this long-keeled cutter was produced with optional pilot house configurations
The BEST Sailboat EVER?? Episode 164 - Shannon Sailboats - Lady K Sailing4:45from Lady K Sailing
Bayfield 3610.97 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA Haydn Gozzard-designed cutter with a long keel, built for steady, comfortable passage-making.
Bayfield 36 – A Cheap Bluewater Sailboatfrom Practical Sailor
Tayana 3711.18 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Robert Perry-designed long-keel cutter with a heavy displacement and a production run of nearly 600 hulls
Boat Issues that kept us from setting Sailing2:18from Sailing Into Oblivion
Cabo Rico 3811.58 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn aft-cockpit evolution of the Tiburon 36, offering a heavy-displacement cutter platform for stable blue-water sailing
Sailing S/V Southwind, a 1984 Sea Sprite 34from Hold Fast!
Shannon Yachts 38 PH11.51 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA long-keeled cutter designed by Stadel for offshore stability, offering a comfortable motion and steady passage-making
A Sailboat With No Keel? Shannon Shoalsailer 351:37from Lady K Sailing

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Island Packet 380A 12-metre blue-water cruiser featuring a 1.4-metre draft that balances offshore stability with shallow-water accessIsland Packet 35A 10.77-metre cutter featuring a 45% ballast ratio, engineered for heavy-weather stability and extended offshore rangeIsland Packet 37A 37-foot cutter with a 1.37-meter draft, balancing offshore stability with the ability to explore shallow anchoragesIsland Packet 32A 32-foot cruiser with a 1.32-metre draft, optimized for shallow-water access and offshore stabilityIsland Packet 40A 12.19-meter cutter featuring a 1.42-meter draft that balances offshore stability with shoal-water accessibilityIsland Packet 31A 10.46-metre cutter with a shallow 1.22-metre draft, engineered for stable, long-distance cruising in shoal waters

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Island Packet 38, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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