Description

1992 Island Packet 38: Ready for the Sea of Cortez and Beyond

Legendary for her rugged blue-water pedigree and unmatched sea-kindliness, this 38’ Island Packet is the ultimate cruising vessel for sailors who demand safety, comfort, and total independence on the water. Built with Island Packet’s renowned full-foil keel, solid fiberglass construction, and spacious cutter rig layout, she offers the stability and ease-of-handling that turn long passages into enjoyable journeys.

Widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the iconic Island Packet 38 afloat today, this head-turning blue-water classic is fully outfitted and truly cruise-ready. Meticulously maintained and fully set up for off-grid living, "Parable" is primed for the voyage, whether your dream is island-hopping local coves in Baja, living aboard indefinitely, or setting off across the Pacific.

Located in the paradise gateway of La Paz/Puerto Escondido, Mexico (just 20 minutes away from the Loreto International Airport with excellent, easy access), "Parable" is ready for her next captain. Contact La Paz Yachts today to schedule a private viewing!

Highlights

Manufacturer Island Packet

Model 38

Year 1992

Price $97,000 USD

Status For Sale

Badge New Listing

Length 38

Hull Material Fiberglass

Region Puerto Escondido, BCS, Mexico

Type and Class Sail, Cruiser, Cutter

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Specs

General Information

Manufacturer	Island Packet
Model	38
Year	1992
Length	38
Hull Material	Fiberglass

Additional Details

Status	For Sale
Badge	New Listing
Region	Puerto Escondido, BCS, Mexico

Full Specs

Dimensions

LOA	41 ft 6 in
Beam	12 ft 8 in
Length On Deck	38 ft
LWL	33 ft
Max Broge Clearance	53 ft
Max Draft	5 ft
Ballast	10,000 lbs
Displacement	21,500 lbs
Seating Capacity	6
Liferaft Capacity	4
Designer	Bob Johnston Highes
Builder	Island Packet

Tanks

Fuel	57 gal Aluminum. 5 gal fuel cans - 5 yellow diesel / 1 red gasoline
Fresh water	157 gal Aluminum
Holding tank	29 gal Aluminum with Special liner - New in 2022

Propulsion

Cruising Speed	6 kn
Max Speed	7.8 kn
Range	300 nml
Engine 1	1992 Yanmar 4JH2E
Type	Inboard, Diesel
Power	50 hp
Hours	3319
Drive Type	Direct Drive
Propeller Type	3 Blade Bronze
Engine 2	2021 Mercury Outboard
Type	Outboard Four-Stroke. Gas/Petrol
Power	9.9 hp
Propeller Type	3 Blade Aluminum

Accommodations

Walkthrough	Going down the companionway stairs, to port you will find the midship head. Continuing aft is a quarter aft cabin with a double berth and storage. To starboard you will find the U shape almost enclosed galley. Forward from the stairs the salon has a straight 3 persons settee to port and an almost L shape 3/4 persons settee to starboard with a table connected to the forward bulkhead that separates the salon from the forward cabin. Offset slightly to port is the door to the forward double cabin with ample storage to port and a pullman berth to starboard. At the V is the forward head.
Cabins	(2) Starboard pullman and portside quarter berth
Heads	(2) heads - 2020
Nav Station	Full size aft facing chart table, doubles as computer workstation
Interior	Rich teak joinery. Floors are teak and holly, with nonskid in heads and base of companionway in excellent condition. Cedar lined hanging lockers. New upholstery in 2020. Abundant storage provided by multiple lockers, drawers and cabinets. Teak bookcase. Bottle storage behind fold-down dining table. Beautiful Cabin Sole
Hatches and portlights	Six opening hatches. 13 stainless steel portlights, new in 2020
Lighting	Low consumption LED cabin lights throughout
Ventilation	(9) low consumption air circulating fans throughout belowdecks

Galley

Refrigeration	12V refrigeration system with both the air-cooled and water-cooled options
Stove	Mediterranean 3-bumer propane stove with oven and broiler - New in 2020
Sink	Double stainless steel sink with gooseneck single lever faucet/sprayer
Water heater	Stainless steel - 2020
Storage	Built-in dish storage and cutlery drawers
Countertops	Laminate countertops with teak fiddle rails
Propane	(2) 10 lbs aluminum tanks in vented, dedicated locker.
Water systems	Pressure hot & cold water with Jabsco pump
Additional	Fully equipped galley

Electronics and Navigation

AutoPilot	Raymarine EV-400 Power Evolution - 2020
SSB	ICOM M802 with speaker (NOT INSTALLED)
VHF 1	Simrad RS35 - 2020
VHF 2	Handheld Standard Horizon
Chartplotter	Raymarine AXIOM 9" Touch with Ramarine Quantum 2 Doppler radar - 2020
Charts	Navionics electronic charts for West coast America and Mexico 2022. Cruising guides for West coast America, Mexico, and Panama
AIS	Raymarine transceiver - 2020
Wind, Depth, and Speed	Raymarine 170 -2020
Stereo	Yes, with Bluetooth, CD and Aux inputs. Bose cockpit speakers
TV	Vizio 32” TV
Sat Communications	Starlink satellite internet. Wireless headset communication set
Other	KUS USA Reed switch fuel and water monitors. Relays output on Victron GX Touch, 2022. 50A to 30A adaptor cable

Electrical and Batteries

Batteries (house bank)	EEL Lifepo4 604ah (8-3.2V CATL Cells) - 2022
Smart Regulator	Wakespeed WS500 (NOT CONNECTED)
Battery Management System	REC Active
Batteries (engine starting)	(1) Full river brand AGM, 12V 115Ah - new 2020
Inverter/charger	Xantrex Freedom Marine (2000 W inverter, 100 A charger)
Alternator	Balmar 621 series 100A-2022 with WS500 Smart Alternator Regulator - 2022
Solar panels	(2) 360 Watt LG with Victon MPPT 100/50 Solar charger. (2) Newpowa 100W additional solar panels
Wind generator	Marinekinetix 400w
Generator	Portable - 3500 watt (gasoline/propane)
Shore power	30A cord
Additional	Victron Orion-tr Smart 12/12-30a for starter battery - 2022. Victron Cerbo GX-2022. Victron GX Touch 50-2022. Victron LYNX energy distributor-2022. Victron energy SmartShunt 500A Bluetooth battery monitor - 2022. Galvanic isolator

Engines and Mechanical

Engine	Yanmar 4jh2e 4cyl 50hp and 3319 hours
Fuel polishing	Reverso programmable inboard system - 2020, currently set on timer to polish fuel every other day.
Alternator	Balmar 621 series 100A - 2022. WS500 Smart Alternator Regulator - 2022
Fuel filter	Racor fuel filter/separator
Bilge pumps	Automatic bilge pump and Whale manual bilge pump - 2022
Watermaker	SeawaterPro 40gph AC unit - 2022, currently pickled
Additional	Heat exchanger and Fuel lines replaced 2020. New cutlass bearing 2020. PSS dripless shaft seal completely serviced in 2020

Deck and Hull

Primary anchor	55 lbs Mantus (2021) with 300 ft of 5/16" HT chain (2020)
Secondary anchor	45 lbs CQR plow with 25 ft 5/16" chain and 250 ft of 3/4" 3-strand nylon rode
Third anchor	45 lbs Danforth
Fourth anchor (stern)	25 lbs Danforth mounted on stern rail
Windlass	Lewmar vertical with foot switches - 2020. Wireless remote control for anchor windlass
Bow rollers	Dual bow rollers and chain locks
Dinghy	Achilles 10 ft in excellent condition
Outboard	Mercury 9.9 -2021 in great condition
Davits	Stainless steel solar arch with davit system. Outboard motor hoist. Outboard motor pulpit bracket
Cabintop winches	(2) Lewmar 30 self-tailing for mainsail & (1) Lewmar 8 for staysail boom sheet
Cockpit winches	(2) Lewmar 46 self-tailing for genoa) & (1) Lewmar 16 self-tailing for headsail furling lines
Gates and hatches	Port and starboard boarding gates. Companionway drop-in hatchboards (3) with locking pin, plus swinging companionway doors with insect screens. (4) Dorades with boxes
Swim platform	Custom build stern swim platform with boarding ladder
Full bottom job in 2021	Stripped down to gel coat / 2 coats of 2-part epoxy barrier coat / 3 coats of International 640 antifoul (red) / Navy blue bootstripe repainted at the time of bottom job
Covers	All new Canvas Full Cockpit Enclosure 2020, strata glass. Dodger, Bimini, Transition, Side Panels, Lazy Bag, Lazy Jack Lines. In like new dark blue Sunbrella.
Additional	Solid stainless steel aft lines. Helm seat with backrest Reupholstered, 2022. Lines and fenders. Cockpit shower, 2022. 3 starboard mounted jerry cans with sunbrella covers. Magma grill with cover. Climbing gear for mast work. Teak dolphin seat on bowsprit. Anchor snubber

Sails and Rigging

Sails	Main. 110% Genoa. Staysail, non-overlapping, self-tacking on staysail boom. Asymmetrical spinnaker - ALL NEW ULLMAN OFFSHORE 2020
Mast	Isomat conventional keel-stepped with single spreaders, all halyards internal
Lines led aft	All sheets and control lines for mainsail run to cockpit (no need to go forward)
Standing rigging	New 2020.
Running rigging	Nothing older than 2020
Whisker	Spinnaker/whisker pole (currently stored on deck)
Additional	Doyle cradle cover/stackpack and lazy jacks - New in 2020. Most blocks and tackle replaced with Garhuaer - 2021

Safety

Lifesling	Stern pulpit mounted, in rigid case
Life raft	Dantrex 4 person deck mounted inflatable life raft. Certified till 2024 (EXPIRED)
Flares	Yes
Lifejackets	3 Inflatable and 2 Rigid
Jack lines	Along both side, Bow to Stem
Lifesling	Stem mounted
Life ring	Type 4 Throwable Cushion
EPIRB1	Oceansignal Procat - 2021 (EXPIRED)
Additional	Diesel Jugs with Mounting Board

Additional equipment

Portable AC unit
Water filter and UV treatment for dock water
(1) Hard and (1) Inflatable paddle board
2-person inflatable Kayak
Fishing poles and tackle
Spear gun
Mantus scuba - 2 regulators, 4 tanks and compressor
Snorkel equipment
Foldable wagon
Medical supplies
Large lot of tools and spares

Broker's Comments: A few pointers and answers to common questions

The bow platform and davits mean she's about a metre longer than her 38ft title suggests, and with a 4m beam she considerably out-girths her rivals too.
The keel-hung rudder is well-protected from encounters with floating objects and the encapsulated keel is another sound feature for blue-water cruising.
Despite her substantial size, the hull itself has a nice touch of sheer emphasised by the rubbing streak, and the stern has a wineglass shape which counterbalances the boxy coachroof.
The 'full foil' keel, which Johnson espoused, means there's a lot more going on below the surface than meets the eye.
Island Packet pride themselves on their superior construction standards. The hull is solid laminate, which is heavier than a cored huil, but this means damage is easily repaired.
The trademarked Polyclad 2 gelcoat system below the waterline is reported to offer better protection against osmosis, and above the waterline Durashield gives a high-gloss finish.
The hull is a single moulding, as is the deck, and they're bolted and bonded together. The deck is cored with Polycore, which is supposed to be impervious to rot.
The chain plates are another example of robust design; the single spreader rig is stayed with forward and aft lowers and together with the cap shrouds are terminated to three separate chain plates. The separate chain plates are welded and braced together with a framework that locks into the hull to deck joint before being glassed to the hull - very much a belts and braces solution. The chainplates were inspected in 2020 when the rigging was replaced and got approved for extended cruising insurance for 10 years, and inspected again February 2024 by a marine surveyor and approved with no concerns.
It's below decks that the Island Packet 38 wins her admirers - The British magazine "Yachting Monthly" called the IP 38 the-best-liveaboard-cruiser-out-there