Island Packet 38

Built 1986–1993 by Island Packet Yachts (Largo, Florida)

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About the Island Packet 38

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Illustration of a Island Packet 38 — **Illustration, not a photo of this model.** AI-generated illustration of a typical full-keel offshore cutter.

Built: 1986–1993
Builder: Island Packet Yachts (Largo, Florida)
Designer: Robert K. (Bob) Johnson
Length: 38 ft
Waterline: 33 ft
Beam: 12.67 ft
Draft: 5 ft
Displacement: 21,500 lb
Ballast: 10,000 lb
Hull / keel: full keel
Rig: cutter
Propulsion: inboard
Fuel: 57 gal
Water: 157 gal
Holding: 30 gal
Water heater: 11 gal · AC + engine · standard
Number built: 188
Bow thruster: often added later
Stern thruster: not fitted
Steering: rack and pinion · Edson

Tank capacities — where the figures come from

Fuel 57 gal
“57 US gal” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com · “57 (gals)” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com

The Island Packet owners' site (IP Home Port) spec page and its all-model comparison table agree; the site calls its figures representative, as Island Packet specs changed during production.
Water 157 gal
“157 US gal” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com · “157 (gals)” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com
Holding 30 gal
“30 US gal” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com · “30 (gals)” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com
Water heater 11 gal · AC + engine · standard
“allow the eleven gallon water heater to completely fill ... operate on either shore power (115 volt A-C) or by the heat” — owner's manual, kevinsworkbench.com

The builder's undated Island Packet 38 owner's manual describes an 11 gal heater on 115 V shore power and engine heat exchanger in the fresh-water system, while marking cockpit cushions, centerboard and staysail optional, so we list it as standard. A broker page quoting 6 gal is for the new 2025 Island Packet 38, a different model.

Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.

Thrusters and steering — where this comes from

Bow thruster often added later
No builder list, review or listing was found showing a bow thruster on a 1986-93 Island Packet 38 (what turned up was for the later 2020s IP38, a different boat). Our earlier figure has no source.
Stern thruster not fitted
Nothing was found either way; our earlier figure of none appears to be an assumption.
Steering rack and pinion · Edson
“STEERING COMPONENTS: 1 FIG. 343-1S AFT MOUNT RACK & PINION STEERER ... ISLAND PACKET 27, 31 & 38 (S-1252)” — spec database, edsonmarine.com · “the Edson Rack and Pinion steering I have under the helm seat of my IP38 needs to be adjusted” — owners' association, ipyoa.com

An Edson aft-mount rack-and-pinion steerer mounted under the helm seat, according to Edson's data sheet S-1252 and 38 owners on the Island Packet owners' association forum.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Hull length (LOD) 38 ft; 41.5 ft overall including bowsprit (sailboatdata lists both). Centerboard version: 4.0 ft board up / 7.58 ft down. Sailboatdata lists 44/50 hp diesel without naming the make.

Engines fitted

Yanmar 4JHE — 44 hp, diesel, single standard
sailboatdata lists 44/50 hp diesel for 1986-93. A 1988 IP38 listing shows a Yanmar 4JHE 44 hp (fresh-water cooled, Kanzaki gear); search results show other 1987-88 boats with the same 44 hp 4JHE.

Sources: sailboatdata.com · bluewateryachtsales.com
Yanmar 4JH2E — 50 hp, diesel, single standard
Later boats: a 1992 IP38 and a 1993 IP38 both list original Yanmar 4JH2E 50 hp engines. sailboatdata's 44/50 hp entry matches the two generations.

Sources: lapazyachts.com · sysyachtsales.com · sailboatdata.com

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

The builder's owner's manual does not mention a generator; no review or association source names one.

Known problems for this model

Encapsulated stainless chainplates (crevice/stress corrosion) rigging
Chainplates are glassed into the hull/caprail area where corrosion cannot be seen; boats before the 1996 model year used 304 stainless, which the former factory staffer running IP Ancestry says lasts roughly 20-25 years. A specialist yard reported most IP chainplates it replaced were failed or near failure, so plan on inspection or replacement (all hulls are pre-1996 304 stainless).
island-packet-ancestry.com · forums.ybw.com
Aluminum holding (and some fuel) tanks corrode plumbing
Owners report aluminum holding tanks installed under the cabin sole corroding and needing to be cut out for replacement; later boats moved to fiberglass tanks.
forums.ybw.com
Full keel with prop in aperture - poor control astern hull
Owners and reviewers note the full-keel boats back up unpredictably; many owners add a bow thruster.
practical-sailor.com · forums.ybw.com

Engines & parts

Yanmar 4JH series (4JH, 4JH2/3/4, -E, -TE, -HTE) parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “Yanmar 4JHE”

Widely used and fully supported by Yanmar dealers and distributors; the mixing elbow is treated as a consumable part.

Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), Yanmar USA genuine parts

Common problems (1)

Mixing elbow failure exhaust
The exhaust mixing elbow on 4JH engines pits and fails, sometimes within a few hundred hours; owners treat roughly 1000 hours as a practical life and inspect the elbow-to-manifold joint for salt weeping.
cruisersforum.com · jeanneau.proboards.com · facebook.com

Maker’s service schedule (18)

Engine oil & filter change 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	150 hrs	“4.3.3 Inspection Every 150 hours. Replace the engine oil and the clutch lube oil. After the second oil change, the engin” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Replace engine oil filter 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (4) Replacing the Engine Oil and Lube Oil Filter (See 4.3.1(1))” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Transmission fluid change 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	150 hrs	“4.3.3 Inspection Every 150 hours. Replace the engine oil and the clutch lube oil.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Fuel filters & water separator 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. (1) Replacing the Fuel Filter” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Drain fuel filter (water/dirt) 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	50 hrs or 1 mo	“4.3.2 Inspection Every 50 Hours (or Monthly) (1) Draining the Fuel Filter” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Raw-water pump impeller 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	1,000 hrs	“Note: The impeller must be replaced periodically (every 1000 hrs.).” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Air filter / intake silencer 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (5) Cleaning the Intake Silencer” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Exhaust mixing elbow inspection 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“Every 300 hrs ... Clean the exhaust/water mixing elbow” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Drive belts inspect / replace 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (2) Adjusting the Tension of the Cooling Water Pump Driving Belt.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Valve clearance check / adjust 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	600 hrs	“4.3.5 Inspection Every 600 Hrs. ... (3) Inspection and Adjustment of Intake/Exhaust Valve Clearance.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Injector test / service 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	600 hrs	“4.3.5 Inspection Every 600 Hrs. ... (4) Inspecting and Adjusting the Fuel Injection Spray Condition.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Fuel filters & water separator 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	300 hrs	“Replace the element every 300 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Replace engine oil filter 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	300 hrs	“Oil filter replacement period ... Every 300 hours of engine operation” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Transmission fluid change 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	150 hrs	“Change the oil after the first 50 hours of operation, and every 150 hours of operation thereafter.” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Air filter / intake silencer 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo)	300 hrs	“Cleaning and Every 300 hours inspection of air filter” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Turbocharger inspection 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo)	150 hrs	“Clean the blower: Everv 150 hours” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Turbocharger disassembly, cleaning and inspection 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo)	6,000 hrs or 1 yr	“3 months or 6 months or 12 months or 1500 hours 3000 hours 6000 hours ... Disassembly, cleaning and inspection of entire” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Thermostat: inspect every 500 h; replace every year or 2000 h 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	2,000 hrs or 1 yr	“Replace the thermostat every year or 2000 hours of operation (whichever comes first).” — manufacturer, mason44.com

Service part numbers (11)

Oil filter	Yanmar 129150-35170 Replaces 129150-35153	“129150-35170 Oil Filter” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “Yanmar Oil Filter 129150-35170 Marine Diesel 4JH 4JHE 4JH3” — dealer, dieselitems.com
Fuel filter non-turbo E models (4JHE, 4JH2E, 4JH3E, 4JH4E)	Yanmar 129470-55810 Replaces 129470-55703	“129470-55810 Fuel Filter” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “It fits Yanmar 3HM35F, 3JH2E, 4JH3, 4JH4-HTE, 4JH4E, 4JHE, 4TNE84T engines. Cross Reference: 129470-55703” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com
Fuel filter 4JH4-TE / 4JH4-HTE (2007 on)	Yanmar 129574-55711	“Fuel Filter Element 1 129574-55711” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “4JH4-TE/HTE Basic Service Kit ... Fuel filter 129574-55711” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Raw-water impeller JH3 and JH4 generation (4JH3, 4JH4-E, -AE, -TE, -HTE)	Yanmar 129670-42531	“Impeller 1 129670-42531 / Impeller Gasket 1 119773-42570” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Impeller (129670-42531) & O-ring box kit, including face plate screws and lubricant.” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Raw-water impeller earlier 4JH and 4JH2 generation	Yanmar 129470-42532	“Impeller 1 129470-42532 / Impeller Gasket 1 24341-000600” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Replaces: Impeller Numbers 129470-42530 , 129470-42531 , 129470-42532 ... Fits ... 4JHE , 4JH-TE , 4JH2E” — dealer, staycoolpumps.com
Drive belt 4JH2E, 4JH3E, 4JH4-AE; 4JH4-TE before July 2006	Yanmar 25132-004600	“Alternator Belt 1 25132-004600” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “25132-004600 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Drive belt 4JH4-E	Yanmar 25152-004300	“Alternator Belt 1 25152-004300” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “25152-004300 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Drive belt 4JH4-TE from July 2006 to serial E15601 (also 4JH4-HTE per Sea Sierra)	Yanmar 129671-42280	“Alternator Belt V-Belt 1 129671-42280 July 2006 > / < E15601” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Alternator Belt for Yanmar 4JH4-TE and 4JH4-HTE (Replaces 129671-42280E, 129671-42280)” — dealer, seasierra.com
Drive belt 4JH4-TE / 4JH4-HTE from serial E15602 (120 A alternator)	Yanmar 129671-77680	“Alternator Belt Flat Belt 1 129671-77680 E15602 >” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “129671-77680 Serp Belt starting s/n # E15602” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Air filter all except 4JH4-E	Yanmar 129470-12330	“Air Filter Element 1 129470-12330” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “It fits Yanmar 4JH110, 4JH2-TE, 4JH4-HTE, 4JH4-TE, 4JH80, 4JHE engines.” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com
Thermostat	Yanmar 129470-49801	“Thermostat 1 129470-49801 / Thermostat Gasket 1 129795-49551 / 129150-49811” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “compatible with ... 4JH2-E, 4JH2-HTE, 4JH2-TE, ... 4JH3-E, 4JH3-HTE, 4JH3-TE, 4JH4AE, 4JH4-E, 4JH4-TE, ... 4JH-E” — dealer, shop.marinedieselinc.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Steering

Edson — Pedestal chain-and-wire steering parts: good

Edson (New Bedford, MA) still sells service parts: chain-and-wire kits, sprockets, idlers, pull-pull conduit steering and internal pedestal parts, and keeps steering data sheets by boat model, many decades old.

Parts sources: Edson Marine (service parts)

Common problems (3)

Old or slack steering wire steering
Edson advises replacing steering wire about every five years, checking tension with the wheel locked, and inspecting under load annually; owners often find decades-old stiff wire.
usna.edu · youtube.com
Lubrication and fastener checks steering
Chain, wire, sheaves and pedestal bearings need regular oiling or greasing, and clevis/cotter pins and bolts should be checked monthly to avoid failures.
usna.edu
Replacing engine control cables in the pedestal steering
Swapping throttle/shift cables inside an Edson pedestal is a common owner job requiring removal of the wheel shaft sprocket pin.
forums.sailboatowners.com

Edson — Traditional geared steerers (worm / rack-and-pinion) parts: good

Edson says its traditional wheels and geared steerers are still available, now built with modern materials; rack-and-pinion steerers are offered for transom-hung and inboard rudders.

Parts sources: Edson Marine (traditional steerers)

Model sources (11)

sailboatdata.com · island-packet-ancestry.com · forums.ybw.com · bluewateryachtsales.com · lapazyachts.com · sysyachtsales.com · iphomeport.com · iphomeport.com · kevinsworkbench.com · edsonmarine.com · ipyoa.com

Own a Island Packet 38? Add her to your boats, then share a photo — names, numbers and faces are blurred before it appears.

Other Island Packet models

Island Packet 27 1984–1992
Island Packet 31 1983–1989
Island Packet 32 1990–1996
Island Packet 35 1988–1994
Island Packet 350 1997–2004
Island Packet 40 1994–2000

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.