Equinox is an aft cockpit Island Packet 440.  This model was first introduced in the summer of 2005 and we were one of the first 10 people to put down a deposit.  We opted to delay delivery until the following spring and Equinox was delivered in June 2006.  We She was commissioned in Seattle, Washington at Yachtmasters Northwest on Lake Union. 

We chose Island Packet for many reasons.   Our first exposure to Island Packets was at the boat show and we were impressed with the fit and finish.  We decided to charter an IP37 from Yachting Vacations in Punta Gorda, Florida for Christmas 2001.  After cruising aboard for a week, we were sold. .  Although we didn't get to sail her that much, winds in the winter were not that great, we still were impressed with the overall boat.  Another bonus is that they are made in the United States in Largo, Florida. 

We are of the old school and believe that a full keel moderate displacement with  a shallow draft boat like the IP that tracks well and maximizes stability provide a more seaworthy vessel.  The protected prop and rudder are  bonuses.  We like the idea of lessening our chances of snagging lines and having to dive on the prop at midnight to untangle seaweed or crab pots.  The IP's are also noted for their storage, which we found while outfitting and provisioning is invaluable.  You need lots of room to hide your stuff.  We had sea trials at the Annapolis Boat Show in the fall of 2005 and we were hooked.  The 440 handled great and we felt that with the in-mast roller furling she would be a joy to double-hand and we have not been disappointed. 

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We have put over 10000 nautical miles on Equinox since we took delivery in June 06 and have lived aboard ever since.  The following are some of our improvements we have added and some suggestions for things that could be improved.  Having said that there is nothing we have learned in the 17 months that we have owned her that would have changed our decision to buy her, quite the opposite, we are very happy with her performance in all types of conditions, the folks at IP make a quality boat that is rock solid. 

Equipment List on S/V Equinox

Below Deck
 

·         Custom Handcraft 7” innerspring with 3” foam top mattress in forward salon.

·         Ocean Air Sunshade/screens on all 8 hatches

·         Port shades on 10 of 13 Portlights

·         All cushion Ultraleather (Champagne) always been covered, new custom covers as of January 2012.

Galley

·         Frigoboat Keel Cooled Refrigeration/Freezer

·         Individual digital controls for separate refrigerator/freezer compartments

·         Gimballed Force 10 LPG stove w/oven & lift-off cover

·         Tappan Microwave Oven

·         Corian countertops w/integral sea rails

·         Seafull IV water filter system

·         Acu-gauge Tank Monitor

·         S/S Deep double sinks

·         Hot/Cold pressure water

·         Manual fresh water pump

·         Retractable spray unit at sink

·         Slide out trash bin

·         Teak dish racks & cutlery drawers

·         2-5lb propane cylinders in propane locker

·         Custom Spice Rack and under range drawer.

Electronics

·         Raymarine 6KW Radar mounted on Garhauer S/S pole with  engine hoist

·         Raymarine E120 Chartplotter on coach top w/chart chips for US and Central America/Caribbean

·         Raymarine ST 701 w/SG3 course computer w/type 2 linear drive

·         Raymarine Smart Control remote for Autopilot

·         Raymarine ST60 Wind, Depth, and Speed instruments mounted seahood

·         Raymarine Digital Depth Sounder module fish finder

·         Raymarine Instrument Repeater at Nav Station and Forward Salon

·         Rastar 125 GPS

·         Icom M504  VHF Radio with DSC and w/external hailer and RAM mic at helm

·         Spare VHF antenna mounted on Rardar arch Icom M802 SSB with Pactor Modem

·         AIS

·         Iridium 505 Sat phone

·         EPIRB

·         Entertainment Electronics

·         21"Toshiba  LCD TV

·         DVD Player (multi zone)

·         Cabin & Cockpit Speakers

·         TV antenna w/cable selector switch

·         Cable TV input

·         Clarion AM/FM CD/Stereo Radio s/Sirius radio module with external antenna

·         Port networks marine wifi bridge with external antenna

Electrical/Mechanical
Numerous spares for engine & generator. Miscellanous plumbing, electrical and mechanical spares. All system manuals onboard..

·         75HP Yanmar Turbo Diesel (XXXHrs. )

·         8KW Maspower Generator w/sound shield  XXX Hrs

·         SidePower 6HP Bow Thruster with separate power switch.

·         16,000 BTU A/C (reverse cycle)

·         Carbon Monoxide Detector

·         Macerator pump w/valves for overboard discharge

·         2 VacuFlush Heads w/holding tank

·         (6) AGM Batteries (House - 600 total AH)

·         AGM Starting Battery

·         2-120 watt and 2-130 watt solar panels with 25 amp blue sky controller

·         2-30amp Power Cords

·         50amp to 30amp Splitter

·         Magnum 3500 Watt Inverter/charger (125 amp) (remote control panel at nav station)

·         Charles 60amp Battery Charger

·         8-12 Volt Outlets

·         7- Port fans

·         High output Balmar 100 amp alternator

·         Digital Duo Charge Controller

·         3-Blade Max prop

·         Racor Fuel Filter

·         Auxiliary electric fuel pump w/momentary switch for bleeding lines

·         Bronze sea strainers engine, generator and A/C intakes.

·         Heavy Duty Rule 3700 Electric Bilge Pump s/spare

·         Masthead anchor light/tricolor/strobe

·         Foredeck/steaming light & nav lights

·         3-Fire Extinguishers

·         Spectra Catalina 300 watermaker

·         Hooka with Honda gas engine with 2-60’ hoses with regulators and innertube float.

Deck/Cockpit

·         Jason Iverson Custom Bimini/Dodger w/connector panel on all heavy duty  S/S frame with grab bars on sides and rear.  2 sets of window covers (solid and screen)

·         lexan panels in the dodger

·         Custom Davits with solar panel mounts and aft facing floodlight.

·         Dinghy engine lift on radar pole with Edson engine mount on aft rail

·         Custom solid SS lifelines on cockpit sides.

·         Custom Sunbrella shade awning

·         Flag halyards

·         Radar Reflector

·         Glebe Creek custom companionway screen and doors

·         Custom SS companion way security bars

·         2 fishing pole holders

·         West Marine Kettle Barbque

·         SS floper stopper

·         Salt water deck washdown.

·         Muir 2500 Cheetah  Electric Anchor Windlass

·         55# Delta Anchor (300' 3/8" G40 chain)

·         45# Bruce Anchor (50' 3/8" HT chain & 300' x 7/8” mega braid rode)

·         28# Fortress anchor with 25’ chain and 250’x 7/8” mega braid road

·         6-person offshore liferaft

·         Custom teak cockpit table

·         Cockpit Cushions

·         Leather wheel cover

·         Sunbrella Pedestal cover

·         Sunbrella covers for all hatches and winches

Sails/Rigging

·         In-mast  roller furling main

·         110% roller furling genoa

·         Roller furling staysail

·         Quantum Spinnaker

·         Forespar Whisker pole mounted on mast

·         Hoyt self-vanging staysail boom

·         Genoa & staysail on Harken furling system

·         Rigid Boom Vang

·         Main sheet traveler 2/4:1 control system

·         Main halyard led to Lewmar 30CST 2-speed winch on mast

·         Mainsail roller furling control lines led to Lewmar 44CST 2-speed winch

·         Main sheet & spare main halyard to Lewmar 44CST winch

·         Genoa halyard to Lewmar 30CST 2-speed winch on mast

·         Two genoa sheet winches - Lewmar 54CST 2- electric speed

·         Staysail sheet to Lewmar 16CST winch

·         Staysail halyard to Lewmar 8C winch on mast

·         Two secondary winches - Lewmar 16CST