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. 

                                                     Layout

We have put over 3000 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. 

Improvements we have made to Equinox

Stainless Steel Rail extensions

Support for Stern Rail

Dodger & Bimini

Passage way screens

Port Shades

Freezer Insulation

Improvements Island Packet should consider making (for the most part these are minor but suggested improvements

Auxiliary Engine Raw Water Impeller Access.

Freezer insulation  Over the course of our travels we noticed that the freezer and refrigerator were running quite a bit of the time, as the water got warmer the run time seemed to increase substantially.  The freezer plates iced up iced up in two weeks (about 3/4" to 1" thick) and required frequent defrosting.  We put an insulation blanket on the starboard side of the abeam of the freezer, something a lot of cruisers do where the freezer is outboard, to cut down on radiant heat and we also put a blanked on top of the freezer/refrigerator  to cut down heat loss.  This seemed to help a little, but when we got into the warmer waters in the Sea of Cortez in the summer (85^o)  the freezer was simply not staying cold enough. 

When we put the boat on the hard  and shut down the freezer, we looked into the problem and found that the joint between the counter top and the walls of the freezer had a space the size of my index finger.  There was foam insulation that had been put in on one side by the factory but on three sides there was a void.  We filled the void with foam and installed 1 1/2" insulation on the underside of the top.  The  difference has been dramatic.  We now keep the freezer at 18^o and the compressor runs quite a bit less than before, also we have had it running over 2 months since re-launching and have not had to defrost so far.  The sea temps. so far have ranged between 75^o to 80^o.  

Line locker drainage.  We do not use the line lockers for storing line and unfortunately the space where the line could run into the locker also allows water to enter which it does when there is any drainage from out dodger.  The locker has a small well at the aft end of the locker to catch any water but unfortunately the drain line is on the aft wall of the locker and the flow-line of the drain line is offset from the bottom of the well by the thickness of the flange of the drain fitting.  This drain should be placed  in the bottom of the well so all the water could drain out.  There is nothing IP can do about water running off our dodger, but offering the option of a sealed locker would be a great option for those of us who do not wish to use it as a line locker.  A way to do this might be to provide the line trough in the lid rather than in the coach body.  Solid lids could be sold as an alternative to the slotted lids.

Storage for gas containers.  The IP has a great propane locker that can accommodate 2 propane bottles.  However there is no dedicated locker where the outboard fuel can be stored.  If we had only one propane bottle we could use that space for gasoline storage but the shape of the locker would not accommodate the outboard tank. Also we use a Magma barbeque and use the small propane bottles.  There is no place to store these bottles.  We could store them in bags attached to the lifelines but these bottles are mild steel and for long term cruising this would expose the bottles to too harsh an environment.  The addition of a locker dedicated for gasoline and other volatile liquids would be a valuable addition. 

Master head shower seat drainage

Mast Pulpit Spacing

Deck drains  

Propane locker seal. 

Aft rail support

Starboard flag halyard

Auxiliary Engine Hour Meter.  To read the hour meter it is necessary to lie down on the port lazerette. It would be nice if the meter could be tilted up so the hour meter was more easily visible.