1987 Island Packet

[a64pilot]

Is what I'm going to look at this Sat.
What are it's weaknesses? I've asked this twice before on different boats, and darned if you guy's weren't spot on.
What should I be looking for to determine if this boat is the boat for me or to pass it buy and keep looking?
I will have it surveyed, just trying to weed out the ones that need weeding out before I pop the money for a survey.

[Julian55]

Which size?

[fishin4bogey]

Ceal Potts...member on here...and her hubbub just did an incredible re-fit on a 38' which is in Jacksonville, FL. Beautiful boat.

[s/v Beth]

(assuming it is a 38)
Strenghts: quality build, shallow draft, comfortable and able live-aboard, cruiser.
Weakness: doesn't sail upwind as well as some, Wood can be labor intensive. Doesn't back well into slips.
A used boat is largely how well it has been treated....

[a64pilot]

IP 38, sorry about that

By weaknesses, I mean structural if any, known issues like leaking windows, or maybe weak fuel tanks, or does it have chain plate issues or bad blister problems etc?

In other words, what should I look for, yes I'll have it surveyed, but maybe I can weed one out prior to buying a survey if I know what to look for.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by fishin4bogey

Ceal Potts...member on here...and her hubbub just did an incredible re-fit on a 38' which is in Jacksonville, FL. Beautiful boat.

I don't know anything about that one, sorry

[azsailor12]

Another thread here mentioned chain plate issues, so plan on replacing them if they haven't been done yet.

[pete33458]

My understanding is that many if not most IP38 had glassed-in chainplates that are expensive and difficult to replace. My broker (who is very well respected) also told me that a surveyor (OK, let's not get started about surveyors) will generally fail the chainplate inspection on an IP that is 20 or more years old, because the chainplates cannot be inspected. Remember, this is based on my own limited experience, so check with your own broker or surveyor. I saw a really nice one that I didn't pursue further because the estimated price for glasswork and rigging was more than $10K. It also disturbed me a little that I wouldn't be able to keep an eye on the chainplates myself. Other than that I thought it was a great boat. pete

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by azsailor12

Another thread here mentioned chain plate issues, so plan on replacing them if they haven't been done yet.

Yes just due to her age, I had assumed chain plates / standing rigging as I assume neither has been done recently, maybe never. They aren't glassed in or something stupid are they?
Original plan was to buy a starter boat for me / us to learn on, but you know maybe if it's sound to begin with and I take the next few years going through whatever needs going through, maybe this IP38 may just end up being our cruising boat?

[pete33458]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

\They aren't glassed in or something stupid are they?

we were writing at the same time, see my post right above

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

IP 38, sorry about that

By weaknesses, I mean structural if any, known issues like leaking windows, or maybe weak fuel tanks, or does it have chain plate issues or bad blister problems etc?

In other words, what should I look for, yes I'll have it surveyed, but maybe I can weed one out prior to buying a survey if I know what to look for.

It probably has an aluminum water tank and holding tank. Depending on how they've been treated, you could end up with pinhole leaks, e.g., chlorine in the water tank is a no-no. From what I've heard from other owners, it's a major operation to replace either. Chainplates have been mentioned and are worth checking, as they're glassed in. Other than that, I don't know of any ticking time bombs. IPs are very sturdy, well-made boats, and factory support is outstanding, even for subsequent owners, if you need their help.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by pete33458

we were writing at the same time, see my post right above

I noticed, The more I learn about boats, the more it seems that ALL boats have something stupid, or at least questionable about them, but I'll admit, I didn't expect glassed in chain plates in an IP from what little else I've seen about them.
I assume it's safe to assume that they can't suffer from the wet / rotted deck syndrome?

[Cheechako]

any metal tank below the floorboard is suspect after 5 years. any boat.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

any metal tank below the floorboard is suspect after 5 years. any boat.

Aluminum ought to be better than any other metal though? Depending on alloy of course.
Not real sure why you couldn't cut the top off of an aluminum tank and go back in with a bladder cell though.
I wonder what the failure rate on the IP tanks is?

[Hud3]

It depends entirely on how they've been treated. Chlorinated water or cleaning the tank with Chlorox will slowly eat away at the aluminum. Using a low pH detergent to clean the water tank or the holding tank will attack the metal, too. A careful inspection should reveal any potential problems.