2008 Island Packet 440

Beautiful boat and definitely worth viewing if you are looking for really sensible cruising yacht or a blue water ocean going yacht that will keep you safe and sound wherever in the world you want to go.  Long keel and nicely balanced rig combines to provide superior sea keeping and great sailing qualities.  She just plugs along steadily wherever she's pointed, no matter what the weather.

Designed and built as an owner's long distance cruiser, so lots of space below decks with separate shower stalls and heads.

Standing rigging annually inspected and running rigging continuously replaced as necessary.

Just the job, for living that dream, staying healthy and safely getting away from all the hassle of life and global uncertainty.

Pactical Sailor 2006

THIS IS A 2006 ARTICLE FROM PRACTICAL SAILOR.  IT IS NOT ABOUT OR CONDUCTED ABOARD THIS ISLAND PACKET 440.

 Under the direction of designer and CEO Bob Johnson, Island Packet has for nearly 30 years accomplished what few modern boatbuilders have been able to do—produce more than 2,000 boats targeted at liveaboard and passagemaking sailors who plan to spend months, if not years, on their boats. The Island Packet 440, introduced last year, is a good example of how Island Packet accommodates the peculiarities of dyed-in-the-wool cruisers without slowing production to a crawl, sacrificing safety or sensibility, or straying from Johnson’s original concept.

If you don’t share Island Packet devotees’ view that a full-keeled, moderate displacement cutter is the most sensible boat for long-term cruising, or you’re an around-the-buoys racer who can’t live without a lively helm in light air, then settling for an Island Packet will be as easy as switching religions. Sure, over the years, Johnson has tweaked his boats’ underwater shapes (streamlining the keels and rudders to generate more lift, widening the sterns, and sharpening the entries) and the furling staysails set on a self-tacking Hoyt boom (hardly passé), but at its very heart, the 440 is your father’s Oldsmobile—a station wagon at that. It is consistent, reliable, and built for long hauls.

In profile, the IP 440 is a bit of a mixed breed. It has the traits of a traditional cruising boat: raised cabintop, high freeboard, a light spring in the sheerline, and a short bowsprit that is equipped to handle two working anchors. The stern, however, features a modern reverse transom with an expansive swim platform and stairs. This makes it easier to transfer jerry jugs from a dinghy, adds to waterline length, and helps diminish the slab-sided look that usually accompanies high freeboard.

 Below the waterline, the cross-section harkens back to traditional full-keeled cruisers, but the keel is foil-shaped for better lift. The rudder, too, has been given a finer trailing edge.

In plan view, the beam widens fairly quickly at the bow, reaching its maximum—14 feet, 4 inches—midships. The aluminum, double-spreader rig from Charleston Spars features continuous rigging (no intermediates to tune aloft) and twin backstays. The mast is keel-stepped. The outboard chainplates are a rugged design that Island Packet modified about 10 years ago to remedy a potentially serious problem: Water leaks at the deck and collected in fiberglass pockets where parts of the chainplates were concealed, which could promote hidden corrosion.

The IP 440 comes standard with a roller-furling main. The jib is cut higher and leads farther aft than on previous IPs, permitting slightly tighter sheeting angles, but it still chastises those inclined to pinch.

Johnson’s pragmatic design philosophy carries forward to the deck details. In the cockpit, a huge sail locker sits under the starboard settee, allowing access to the shore power system, the steering, and the optional autopilot. Another big locker is accessed under the opposite settee.

All running rigging is led aft to the cockpit. Tending the mainsail or staysail sheets—led to winches at the companionway—requires leaving the helm, not a huge strike for a pure cruiser. There are four well-placed padeyes for the helmsman and crew to clip into. We like the nice, fat, 2-inch-diameter twin cockpit drains. Two cockpit line-storage bins eliminate clutter. The boarding platform has molded seats, and a hot and cold shower.

The divided anchor locker, accessible through a Lewmar deck hatch, drains to the bilge with a shutoff valve.

Four people can cruise comfortably for extended periods on this boat, and with 260 gallons of water and 400 cubic feet of storage space, you can probably carry six for short periods without a mutiny.

The galley is U-shaped to starboard with a clear view of the saloon and plenty of room for storage, dedicated shelves, and cabinet space to keep mealtime essentials close at hand. The 12-volt fridge/freezer, a Frigoboat keel-cooler design, keeps food cold, but there’s only one lid to access both, allowing precious cold air to escape unnecessarily. The deep double sink, a slide-out trash bin, and two hatches over the galley are nice touches.

 The aft stateroom to port has an island berth running diagonally (awkward for sleeping at sea, but the saloon settees will do fine for this) and a separate door to the port head which is also accessible from the main cabin.

The saloon is well lit, and has excellent ventilation through three dorades, eight hatches, and 12 opening ports. The starboard settee pulls out to make a double berth.

The forward cabin is well aft of the bow, making room for an island berth. The L-shaped forward head allows for a separate shower, but puts the vanity sink outboard, requiring you to shut the seacock when the boat is on a starboard tack.

The diesel is a reliable 75 Hp 4JH3TBE turbo-charged Yanmar, with good accessibility. The alternator is a 110 Balmar with a digital controller. All batteries are AGM; the house bank is 400 Ah. A galvanic isolator and Charles Industries 60-amp, 3-stage charger are standard. Pre-tinned copper wiring is well labeled and cleanly routed. Our boat had the optional MAS 8 kW generator and a heavy-duty electric windlass from Lighthouse Marine, also optional.

Mast and all underwater metals are electrically bonded, although the boat does not have a lightning protection system. Tankage is low in the hull below the cabin sole, adding to stability and proper trim. Island Packet recently began building its water and holding tanks out of fiberglass. The fuel tank is high-grade 5052-H32 aluminum.

We sailed the boat on St. Petersburg Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla., with a half load of fuel and water. Winds were about 5-10 knots when we started, increasing to barely 10 knots by afternoon—lousy conditions for a full-bodied cruiser. There was a very light chop. Handling under power was good, given the handicaps of a full keel. It turned in about 1.5 boat lengths, and obeyed steering in reverse soon after starting from a dead stop. Our boat’s optional bow thruster took the challenge out of docking.

At 2500 RPM, we cruised at 6.3 knots and recorded 85 decibels in the galley, 81 in the main salon, and 79 in the cockpit (Normal conversation is about 60 decibels). The aft cabin produced a rather noisy 90 decibels. At 3000 RPM we cruised at 7.1 knots and at 3500, 7.4 knots.

In the light stuff, the rack-and-pinion Lewmar Cobra steering felt a bit stiff, and we managed only about 4 knots in 7 knots apparent wind on a beam reach. The boat tacked through about 105 degrees, and though we could probably sail higher with more wind, the boat clearly at its best full-and-by. It lost steam broad reaching, when the staysail is best furled or used as a steering sail to balance the helm.

When the wind picked up to about 10 knots, we managed to hold about 4.2 knots on a beam reach. The boat tracked true for five minutes without tending the helm, one of the great advantages of a full keel. We’d definitely opt for a cruising chute and consider a folding propeller.

As much as “performance” cruisers denigrate full-keel boats, they make sense for cruising: They maximize stability with minimum draft, they track well, and they’re forgiving in the event of a grounding.

In terms of construction, systems, and accommodations, the Island Packet 440 sets a very high standard. Where it misses its mark, it misses by inches, not feet. The IP 440 has the essentials to cross an ocean, and we’d not hesitate to take it on a tradewind circumnavigation. Though a conventional mainsail likely would hurt resale, we prefer it for extended cruising. Island-hoppers and coastal cruisers, will, in all probability, be happy with in-mast furling, but we still like the simplicity and better performance of a well-cut cruising main.

Light wind isn’t the IP 440s strong suit, but on a long tradewind passage, it should hold its own with many fin-keel designs of similar length and displacement, and it will almost surely deliver a less strenuous ride.

LOA: 45'9"

LWL: 38'1''
Beam: 14'4''
Max Bridge Clearance: 62''
Ballast: 5.4t
Displacement: 14.5t

Draft: 5'

Yanmar 75hp (4 JH4-TE Diesel)

Cruising speed: 6-8 knots

Range: 500nm

Maximum engine speed: 10knots

Engine Hours: 1600

Fuel Tank: 600 litres

The interior layout of the 440 makes it perfect for the couple that wants comfortable cruising with excellent family or guest accommodation.  Would also work really well as holiday retreat or live aboard. Both cabins feature island berths so that neither of you wake the other when getting out of bed. A long list of other interior amenities put this yacht in a class by itself.

This aft cockpit design, and its predecessors, have been among the favorite Island Packets ever built. The geared rack and pinion steering system, proven through millions of miles of all types of cruising, provides sensitive and responsive control with rugged reliability and a minimum of maintenance.

• Thirteen opening ports w/screens – polished s/s, safety glass. Eight deck hatches with OceanAir® screens and shades. Three s/s Dorade style vents w/screens and plugs
• Select teak hardwoods and veneers for bulkheads, cabinetry and trim. Louvered cabin and locker doors, extensive radius corner detailing, cedar-lined lockers and drawers
• Furniture quality satin gloss varnish applied to all interior wood surfaces in a multi-coat process
• Main saloon with full-length settees, ergonomically shaped multi-density cushions covered in Buff UltraLeather® upholstery, large storage areas behind and under both settees.
• Starboard settee converts to double bunk. Cedar-lined hanging locker with extra height rods outboard, shelf above. Large drop leaf table folds against bulkhead rack (w/bottle stowage) for open saloon. Chart stowage drawer under starboard settee.
• Numerous chrome-plated cabin sidelights with individual dimmers. Overhead lights with remote dimmer switches.
• Three overhead hatches, numerous opening ports, two deck vents and overhead handrails.
• Varnished V-groove individual plank solid teak and oak sole
• Forward stateroom with privacy doors to saloon and forward head compartment. Large offset double island berth with teak shelf outboard, storage lockers and cedar-lined drawers beneath.
• Five-inch innerspring mattress w/quilted pillow top. Aft end of bunk lifts on gas support struts to reveal large blanket tray. Chrome-plated cabin sidelights w/individual dimmers.
• Overhead lights with remote dimmer switch. Large cedar-lined hanging locker with interior shelf, teak bureau, dressing seat. Three opening ports, two overhead hatches with screens/shades, deck vent.
• Varnished V-groove individual plank solid teak and oak sole
• Forward head with large separate shower stall with folding acrylic door, wide curved seat. Vanity with solid acrylic countertop and molded sink, wrap around counter provides secure seating for VacuFlush® electric head.
• Mirrored storage cabinets and large drawers, opening port and overhead hatch with screen/shade, overhead lights with dimmer switch, electric sump pump
• Aft stateroom with privacy doors to main saloon and aft head compartment. Large offset double island berth with teak shelf outboard, drawer beneath. Five-inch innerspring mattress w/quilted pillow top. End of bunk lifts on gas support strut to reveal large blanket tray.
• Generous cedarlined hanging locker with extra height rods outboard, bureau with shelf above. Chrome-plated cabin sidelights w/individual dimmers. Overhead lights with remote dimmer switch.
• Opening ports, overhead hatch with screen/shade. Varnished V-groove individual plank solid teak and oak sole
• Aft head with separate shower stall with folding acrylic door and molded shower seat. Solid acrylic countertop and molded sink, VacuFlush® electric head, storage cabinets, electric sump pump. Opening port and overhead hatch with screen/shade, overhead lights with dimmer switch.
• Door conveniently located near companionway in main saloon plus additional door for private access from aft stateroom
• Navigation center with large varnished table with oval and star inlay, storage tray, generous nav/electronics panel with master AC/DC electrical panels, extra panel space for owner installed equipment. Wide bench seat with removable panels beneath revealing storage.
• Galley features large wrap around design, solid acrylic countertops with integral sea rails.
• Fridge/freezer compartments with separate lids and gas support struts for easy access. Dual Frigoboat® Keel Cooler refrigeration/freezer systems with individual digital controls (both compartments may be individually adjusted for use as refrigerator or freezer).
• Electric drain pump, light, storage drawer beneath.
• Gimballed 3-burner Force 10® LPG stove w/oven – s/s deluxe safety type with s/s sealed burner top, lift-off cover, guard rail w/harness hooks, pot and pan storage beneath.
• Microwave, deep double s/s sink, hot & cold pressure water tap, manual fresh water pump, retractable spray unit, slide out trash bin, teak dish racks & cutlery drawers, overhead and cabinside lights on dimmer switches, opening port, overhead hatch with screen/shade
• SeaGull® IV water filter services cold water taps in heads and dedicated faucet (cold only) at galley sink
• Slip resistant sole in heads (tile pattern), galley, nav area, and companionway (diamond pattern)
• Numerous chrome-plated cabin sidelights with individual dimmers, overhead lights throughout with remote dimmer switches, courtesy lights with remote rocker switch at companionway, dome lights in cockpit lazarettes, anchor locker, fridge/freezer compartment, and bilge.
• Removable s/s companionway ladder with teak treads
• Teak grate located at base of ladder lifts out to reveal dust tray, tray lifts for bilge access with light
• Storage rack for companionway drop boards

Extras in addition to Standard

Raymarine ST70 Log, ST60 Depth, ST60 Wind

Raymarine ST70 Autopilot with hydraulic drive
Raymarine C90 at Nav Station repeated with helm mounted C120W in Navpod
Raymarine SPX 30 Smartpilot
Raymarine Radar Scanner 4km
Raymarine 240E VHF 2 station with DSC 
ICOM SSB M801 MF/HF Radio fully grounded with external ground plate 
SCS PTC-II  Modem for SSB email with USB Connection
15" Repeater Screen for E80/ Radar at Nav Desk
Raymarine Sea Talk 2 Remote Keyboard
Serial Port for connecting PC to Raymarine Sea Talk System
McMurdo Nav 7 Navtex 
AIT AIS Transponder
Radar reflector & Bracket
12V sockets at Nav Table and Helm
Generator 1500RPM Paguro 4000 4KW
Ultra Leather In Salon (buff)
Electric WC Pump Out & Macerator
Leather Wheel Covering
Vertically Battened furling Mainsail (Quantum)
Tri Light at Mast Head
Extra Hull Annode

Variprop 4-laded prop

Stripper Rope Cutter 

Muir Atlantic 2500 Electric Anchor Windlass
ROCNA 33Kg Anchor 
SidePower 4Hp Bowthruster
Upgraded Guard wires at gates 
Cruising shute halyards  
Webasto Airtop 5500 Heating System with all-cabin outlets
Sprayhood
Bimini Cover with side screens & infill to Sprayhood
Wheel & Pedestal Cover 

Helmseat cushion & backrest

One-piece integral hull and keel of 100% hand laminated high modulus knitted fiberglass infused with a proprietary pressure-fed roller application system. Light ivory gelcoat with urethane painted boot stripe.
PolyClad3® hull gel system includes 10 year pro-rated limited warranty against osmotic blisters.
Fully encapsulated ballast forms double bottom over length of keel. No keel bolts to maintain, loosen or leak.
Molded interior structural base unit bonded with hull and interior bulkhead system to form unified structure.
Chainplates interlocked and bonded directly with hull structure for secure “belt-and-suspenders” installation.
Deck laminate features Island Packet’s exclusive PolyCore®, virtually eliminating the potential for deck deterioration associated with other core materials. Includes a 10 year pro-rated limited warranty.
Two-tone deck surfaces: light ivory with tan diamond pattern slip resistant surfaces
One-piece deck attached to integral hull flange with bolts, lock nuts and urethane adhesive sealant. Hardware backed with aluminum plates where required
Molded fiberglass headliner with textured finish, teak trim

• Sails: in-mast vertically battened roller furling main, 110% roller furling genoa in high modulus
• Dacron® with white UV sun panel, roller furling staysail in high modulus Dacron® with white UV sun panel
• Hoyt® self-vanging staysail boom for ease of handling, improved performance and superb adaptability
• Genoa and staysail on Harken® furling systems
• Main halyard led to Lewmar® Ocean Series 30CST, 2-speed winch on mast. Mainsail roller furling control lines led aft to cockpit through stoppers to Lewmar® Ocean Series 44CST, 2-speed winch.
• Rigid boom vang. Main sheet traveler w/4:1 control system led to cockpit. Main sheet and spare main halyard led to cockpit through stoppers to Lewmar® Ocean Series 44CST winch
• Genoa halyard led to Lewmar® Ocean Series 30CST, 2-speed winch on mast. Two electric genoa sheet winches - Lewmar® Ocean Series 54CST.
• Staysail sheet led to cockpit through stopper to Lewmar® Ocean Series 16CST winch. Staysail halyard led to Lewmar® Ocean Series 8C winch on mast
• Two secondary winches – Lewmar® Ocean Series 16CST’s
• Anodized and powder coated aluminum spars
• Mid-boom sheeting for unobstructed cockpit & dodger installations
• Sail control lines accessible from cockpit
• Cockpit storage bins for all sail control lines
• 10” chrome-plated lock-in winch handle
• Large swim/boarding platform with twin set of molded steps leading to deck. Hide-away swim ladder under flush mounted panel, hot and cold shower. Emergency boarding ladder with pull strap located in swim ladder compartment
• Full length, ergonomically shaped cockpit seats, dual deep seat lockers, line storage bins, extra wide coamings with numerous storage bins, helm seat cushion and backrest, four harness padeyes, two 2” cockpit scuppers, engine panel adjacent to helm in covered alcove
• Lewmar® “Cobra”, geared rack & pinion steering system for superior reliability and control. Includes Ritchie® compass with custom Island Packet nav grid, s/s wheel, pedestal guard, provisions for remote auto pilot installation, single lever engine control with premium Glendinning® control cables, space for electronics installations, hinged fiberglass cockpit table. Emergency tiller with storage brackets in locker
• Molded fiberglass headliner with textured finish, teak trim
• Sliding companionway hatch with seahood, interior latch, and exterior hasp and lock.
• Knot, depth, and wind indicators – RayMarine® ST60 – mounted in seahood instrument pod.
• Continuous coaming and molded boss details on cabin top facilitate dodger mounting.
• Solid teak drop boards, middle board with safety glass port and etched logo, board retaining pin
• Wide side decks, full length s/s cabin top handrails and recessed foredeck
• Large anchor locker with overhead deck hatch (Lewmar® with slip resistant surface), sealed bulkhead aft, drain to bilge w/shutoff valve, large divided rode bins with hooks for lines/fenders/gear and Starboard shelf to direct chain and rode aft
• Wide integral bow platform w/exclusive IP designed and patented SeaSafe® anchor rollers for fully captive, low chafe chain/rode guides, quick anchor deployment and secure storage
• Welded s/s mast rails
• Double lifelines with s/s bow and stern rails, flagstaff and holder, and s/s Dorade style vents w/guards
• Stern gates with quick release hooks, integral folding stern rail seats
• Four 12” mooring cleats, two 12” spring line cleats, chocks and flush mount chafe guards
• High impact vinyl rubrail with s/s striker
• Side decks drain to boot stripe
• Teak cap and drip rail with s/s striker
• Exterior teak treated with Saturator

75 HP Yanmar® 4JH4-TBE turbo diesel - four cylinder engine, fresh water cooled, rubber isolation mounts on reinforced fiberglass bed with integral oil pan, mechanical fuel pump, high output Balmar® 75 amp alternator with voltage regulator and Charles® digital Duo Charge controller.

SidePower bow thruster.

Paguro 4000 4kw Generator

4 blade folding prop, Racor® fuel filter with water separator mounted to engine access door in galley.
Jacketed fuel lines with swedged and threaded ends, auxiliary electric fuel pump w/momentary switch for bleeding lines, bronze engine intake strainer. Pre-plumbed for dealer/owner installed oil change system
Extensive sound control with premium lead-lined insulating foam and gasketed access door in galley and access panels behind companionway stairs, aft cabin door, and under berth area in aft cabin
Five maintenance free, 12 volt AGM batteries: four for house and one dedicated engine start.
Momentary parallel switch in cockpit for emergency starting
UL® listed marine pre-tinned 600V color coded and numbered wiring throughout
Deluxe electrical panels with battery switch, gauges and breakers for AC & DC systems, battery  test system, indicator lights. Electric pump, LPG, and battery charger controls
Dual 30 amp AC dockside power systems with inlet breakers and one 50’ shore power cord.
Numerous outlets with GFCI protection
Galvanic isolator with remote status panel
Charles® 5000 series 60 amp converter/battery charger – three stage, temperature compensating, UL® listed.
Engine instrument panel with tachometer, hour meter, and engine monitoring system at helm
Electrical DC grounding/bonding system for rig and underwater metals
Pressure water system w/hot & cold water service in heads, galley and cockpit shower. UL® listed
11 gallon water heater with engine heat exchanger, insulated hot water hoses throughout.
Automatic shower sump pumps and drain pump w/strainers for refrigerator/freezer compartments
LPG system with 10 pound aluminum tank in self-draining storage compartment with gasketed lid, remote solenoid, dual safety shutoffs and gauge; room for extra tank
Fuel, water and holding tanks below cabin sole maximize storage and stability and minimize trim changes with varying fluid levels
Fuel tank constructed of welded, baffled, heavy gauge marine grade aluminum (5052-H32) with shut off valve, s/s deck fill, and tank-mounted gauge. Pre-plumbed for additional pick up/return for generator and installed heater system.
ThermoCure™ fresh water tank constructed of molded and baffled resin infused fiberglass using FDA approvable resins, s/s deck fill, remote tank level gauge
ThermoCure™ resin infused fiberglass holding tank with s/s deck pump out fitting, remote tank level gauge
Heavy duty Rule® 3700 electric bilge pump with auto control and premium, UL® listed Ultimate® magnetic reed float switch. BilgeAlert® bilge alarm w/remote alarm panel
UL® listed bronze, thru-bolted, flanged seacocks on all thru-hulls below waterline, ball valves on thru-hulls in boot stripe.
Masthead anchor light, foredeck/steaming light and nav lights
Pre-wired: anchor windlass and bow thruster cables, fan and speaker wires throughout interior, VHF cable in mast and from mast step to nav area, extra Raymarine Seatalk® cable from seahood to nav area. Messengers pre-run throughout yacht for additional wiring and electronic installation tasks