Island Packet: the right boat for remote voyaging?

[smallFry]

There are a lot of IP features that make a Packet a good choice for remote cruising. They have great stowage. They also have cutter rigs, which divides the sail plan enough that the sails are small enough for easy handling. The modified traditional keel provides a lot of yaw damping, so when you reach your destination your arms and the autopilot aren’t worn out.

Touche is a 380 that just sailed counterclockwise around South America. I saw footage a few months back of her arrival in the Faulklands.

This link is to a 2015 article on an earlier journey:
https://www.bwsailing.com/touche-found-svalbard/

Haakon and Judith, Touche’s owners, would probably share their perspectives on appropriate use of an IP. They may be better informed than anyone (myself included) on the original subject of the post.
Buy your boat based on the survey. If a tank is bad, the fix requires lifting the sole, which is not cheap. Mack Yacht service replaced my chainplates for $14,000. It’s more now.

[FlyingScot]

I would strongly not consider any two masted boat as there is not much room for solar. Off grid, the more solar the better.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I would strongly not consider any two masted boat as there is not much room for solar. Off grid, the more solar the better.

That's a blanket statement, that while it has merit for smaller boats, (and I understand the OP is looking at smaller boats,) once you get into larger boats, their can be benefits to a divided rig, especially sailing shorthanded/singlehanded.
It's all too easy to succumb to rigs that reach to the heavens by touting the big winches and modern gear that make handling large sail forces easy as long as everything works well..
Solar? yeah, that takes some fussing with, but it's not insurmountable.
PS. After sailing on some schooners, (40', 55', 65',) I was surprised at how easy they were to work with a small crew, (who knew what they were doing,) and the "glory" factor was unsurpassed.

[AiniA]

What we noticed in our circumnavigation was the enormous range of makes and models that we saw in really obscure locations. You seem to have decided you like IPs without considering the many other possibilities there are. Wee saw the odd IP, but not many. The make we saw most often (ratio of number built/number out there) was Amel. The newer ones are very pricey but older, smaller ones might fit your budget. We went on a Bristol 45.5, which was great but out of your price range. Have a look at other, smaller Ted Hood designs. His boats all perform well in spite of being quite heavy displacement. Having the displacement adds to comfort and carrying capacity for all the crap (important stuff you need/want). Many are centerboarders which keeps draft down. Our 45.5 was 5'/12'.

[Eder]

My experience was predominately Jeanneau and Bavaria.

[Lawnmower]

Originally Posted by smallFry

There are a lot of IP features that make a Packet a good choice for remote cruising. They have great stowage. They also have cutter rigs, which divides the sail plan enough that the sails are small enough for easy handling. The modified traditional keel provides a lot of yaw damping, so when you reach your destination your arms and the autopilot aren’t worn out.

Touche is a 380 that just sailed counterclockwise around South America. I saw footage a few months back of her arrival in the Faulklands.

This link is to a 2015 article on an earlier journey:
https://www.bwsailing.com/touche-found-svalbard/

Haakon and Judith, Touche’s owners, would probably share their perspectives on appropriate use of an IP. They may be better informed than anyone (myself included) on the original subject of the post.
Buy your boat based on the survey. If a tank is bad, the fix requires lifting the sole, which is not cheap. Mack Yacht service replaced my chainplates for $14,000. It’s more now.

Very interesting. Thanks!

[Lawnmower]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I would strongly not consider any two masted boat as there is not much room for solar. Off grid, the more solar the better.

My thinking was that two masts = twice as much to go wrong.

Would be nice to have another incase of some disaster though.

[Lawnmower]

Originally Posted by AiniA

What we noticed in our circumnavigation was the enormous range of makes and models that we saw in really obscure locations. You seem to have decided you like IPs without considering the many other possibilities there are. Wee saw the odd IP, but not many. The make we saw most often (ratio of number built/number out there) was Amel. The newer ones are very pricey but older, smaller ones might fit your budget. We went on a Bristol 45.5, which was great but out of your price range. Have a look at other, smaller Ted Hood designs. His boats all perform well in spite of being quite heavy displacement. Having the displacement adds to comfort and carrying capacity for all the crap (important stuff you need/want). Many are centerboarders which keeps draft down. Our 45.5 was 5'/12'.

IP's tick more of my boxes than other options I've looked at but it would be great to find something better. The Amels in my budget are very old and look quite dated inside. My thinking is that I'd likely have more issues with one just due to the age of the boat. I can afford a much newer IP.

[akopac]

Regardless of boat type, you will need to be very very self reliant and be able to fix anything. I’m a single hander currently in Papeete. I expect things to break and have the tools and wear with all to fix anything. Example.
Just broke a steering cable 28 miles out of Fakarava Atoll. Used the auxiliary rudder windvane to steer to and into the Atoll thru crazy contrary wind and current chop at night using google sat pics overlayed on charts to dodge corral bomeys. Offshore sailing is not for somebody who relies on outside contractors to maintain the boat even if you have a pile of money, unless you can afford to hire talented crew…

[wholybee]

Don't get hung up on any specific model of boat. There are long lists that will work just fine. Of course not all boats would be a good choice, but a Beneteau in great condition that has been fit out for offshore cruising is a better choice than an IP that needs a complete refit. So, pay attention to the work the boat will need. It is usually much more expensive to repair or refit a boat than to buy a similar boat that is ready to sail.

If going to the really remote places, you need to be the "type" that will fix everything yourself, and not hire out repairs. That means to get good at electrical work, engine work, and structural work. Contradicting my previous advice, if you buy a boat that needs a complete refit, and do everything yourself, you are in a great position to know how to fix it later.

Somewhere in the middle is a boat that is in great shape, but might need some fitting out for offshore, updated electronics, etc. So you get to install some of the critical systems and understand them, without rebuilding the whole boat.

If your budget is $125k, a good plan would be to limit your purchase to $75k, and have $50k for prep and refit.

[Lawnmower]

Originally Posted by akopac

Regardless of boat type, you will need to be very very self reliant and be able to fix anything. I’m a single hander currently in Papeete. I expect things to break and have the tools and wear with all to fix anything. Example.
Just broke a steering cable 28 miles out of Fakarava Atoll. Used the auxiliary rudder windvane to steer to and into the Atoll thru crazy contrary wind and current chop at night using google sat pics overlayed on charts to dodge corral bomeys. Offshore sailing is not for somebody who relies on outside contractors to maintain the boat even if you have a pile of money, unless you can afford to hire talented crew…

Good thing you had the windvane! Sounds sketchy af. How come you entered the atoll at night? Steering cables would be one less thing to worry about with an IP. Definitely have a lot to learn - am booked in on a bunch of courses.

[Lawnmower]

Originally Posted by wholybee

Don't get hung up on any specific model of boat. There are long lists that will work just fine. Of course not all boats would be a good choice, but a Beneteau in great condition that has been fit out for offshore cruising is a better choice than an IP that needs a complete refit. So, pay attention to the work the boat will need. It is usually much more expensive to repair or refit a boat than to buy a similar boat that is ready to sail.

If going to the really remote places, you need to be the "type" that will fix everything yourself, and not hire out repairs. That means to get good at electrical work, engine work, and structural work. Contradicting my previous advice, if you buy a boat that needs a complete refit, and do everything yourself, you are in a great position to know how to fix it later.

Somewhere in the middle is a boat that is in great shape, but might need some fitting out for offshore, updated electronics, etc. So you get to install some of the critical systems and understand them, without rebuilding the whole boat.

If your budget is $125k, a good plan would be to limit your purchase to $75k, and have $50k for prep and refit.

That all sounds very sensible.

[Messing About]

Theres a one owner 2010 IP Estero on Yachtworld, out of San Francisco, that would be on my short list if I were ready to buy. They are asking $159k but it would be worth viewing and perhaps making a lower offer.

I have researched the ‘99 and newer IPs and am pretty sure it is the make i will spend my cruising life on. Safety and comfort is more important to me than speed under sail. I like that they are made in America, in Florida, and still in business.

Best of luck in your search and journeys. Will be watching with interest so keep updating and ignore the unhelpful replies.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Messing About

Theres a one owner 2010 IP Estero on Yachtworld, out of San Francisco, that would be on my short list if I were ready to buy. They are asking $159k but it would be worth viewing and perhaps making a lower offer.

I have researched the ‘99 and newer IPs and am pretty sure it is the make i will spend my cruising life on. Safety and comfort is more important to me than speed under sail. I like that they are made in America, in Florida, and still in business.

Best of luck in your search and journeys. Will be watching with interest so keep updating and ignore the unhelpful replies.

Arguably, speed ads to safety.

[boatman61]

It can also lead to damage by pressing too hard and over stressing boat and rig..