Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Design Information and Builder Comments



 







Some of the following items were excerpted from Island Packet's 420 brochure:







Specifications:

LOA 44'7"                                   Displacement (approx.): 35,000 lbs.

LWL 37'4"                                   Ballast 12,000 lbs.

Beam 14'3"                                 Sail Area = 1088 ft2
                                                 Asym Spin = 1260 ft2
Draft 5'0"                                    Sail Area/Displ. 18.0

Mast Above DWL 58'10"                Displ./Length 257

Fuel 160 gal. U.S.                       Ballast/Displ. 40%

Water 250 gal. U.S.                     Auxiliary Power: 75 hp turbocharged
                                                                              Yanmar Diesel
Holding 60 gal. U.S.                    

Headroom 6'5"

Cabins/Berths 3/7


Designer: Bob Johnson, N.A.


Island Packet 420

The 420 hull incorporates a host of new design elements that further improve a concept that I believe offers the best combination of seakeeping, safety, stability and speed available to the cruising sailor.  New bow and stern configurations combine to increase boat speed through a longer sailing waterline and reduced resistance in waves, while refinements to the keel and rudder foil sections will benefit upwind performance, reduce drag and enhance steering. The hull continues to be molded as a one piece (integral hull and keel) solid tri-axial fiberglass structure, utilizing our pressure-fed resin impregnation system, PolyClad®2 gel below the waterline and DuraShield™ gel on the topsides. I think no one in the marine industry, power or sail, is molding better fiberglass parts than Island Packet.  The 420 deck design continues to offer all the key features long appreciated by Island Packet owners: recessed foredeck with bulwarks, anchor platform with two rollers (our exclusive SeaSafe™ patented design), full length stainless steel cabin top handrails, beautifully molded detail for hardware and a new and improved dodger/windshield mount, and Dorade vents now with stainless steel cowls and welded guards. The cockpit offers long, contoured seats with big lockers under push button latch seat hatches with gas support struts, an insulated beverage box and hand held shower, separate helm seat with backrest and premium rack and pinion pedestal mounted steering (with provision for auto pilot), molded stern rail seats and a central gate leading to a stern platform. As always, sail control lines are lead aft making sail trim or changes convenient from the cockpit. Bins located at the forward end of both coamings have hinged tops and provide handy and neat storage for these lines. With the available option of a roller furling mainsail (now selected by the majority of our new owners), sailing has become easier and more enjoyable than ever. It’s a real pleasure to be able to quickly set, trim or stow the sails without leaving the cockpit.

While on the subject of the rig, the 420 has been created with a somewhat taller configuration to take advantage of the extra sail carrying ability of this design and to enhance both light air and upwind performance. I should also add that the contributions to performance and sail control from the Hoyt® staysail boom would be hard to overstate. This simple device has “turbo-charged” the staysail’s contribution to overall performance and makes the cutter rig better than ever. I believe Island Packet is the only manufacturer to offer this cutter design configuration, and it is a very big plus for the cruising couple. The 420 should have excellent qualities for cruising under all points of sail in a wide variety of conditions with a very manageable and versatile rig.

I think perhaps the most exciting aspect of the new 420 is the interior arrangement. The beam of over 14 feet and a lot of usable hull length have enabled me to create very spacious accommodations with all the amenities that I think our owners are looking for, along with lots of storage space and large tank capacities to meet the demands of extended cruising. This is going to be a great boat on which to spend a lot of time.

The owner’s quarters are located forward and include a private head compartment with stall shower.  The stateroom introduces a new arrangement with a large double berth offset to starboard and angled away from the hull side to allow access from either side. The berth top is hinged and supported with gas struts and may be raised to access a generous storage bin underneath for blankets and the like.  Additional drawers, bureaus, shelves, and a cedar lined hanging locker provide ample room for personal items. A dressing seat adds further convenience, and two deck hatches, a Dorade vent and several opening ports will keep this area bright and breezy, as are all other areas throughout the interior.

The adjoining head has a sink vanity with cabinet space over and under, “captain‘s-chair” seating for the toilet, and built-in medicine chest and linen drawers. The shower includes a molded seat and folding textured acrylic door that stows flat against the bulkhead when not in use. Space (and access) has been provided for owner/dealer installation of a bow thruster under the shower seat area.  European owners are more inclined to make this installation, but I think it may be just a matter of time until it becomes common in the USA.  We’ve been praised in the press for having some of “the best heads afloat” and I think this one will further that reputation.

The big forepeak is reached through a tall bulkhead door in the shower area. This area is unique in that it features our usual divided chain locker forward (prepared for windlass installation and chain control), plus a separate area immediately aft that will be handy for storage of items like fenders, extra anchors and rodes, etc., when underway.

The aft guest stateroom has a wide double berth, ample storage in a hanging locker and bureau, and private entrance to the aft head compartment. The aft head may also be accessed from the salon area, and includes a shower with curtained enclosure and folding seat over the toilet. The sink vanity has cabinet storage over and under and, as with the forward head, is finished in light colored Formica® laminates with varnished teak trim for an attractive, bright and practical finish. Shower drains in both heads have an electric drain pump discharging overboard, with sole drains configured to work at rest or under sail.

The main salon is notable for its overall spaciousness. Once again I’ve incorporated our long popular arrangement of full length facing settees, with the starboard L-shaped settee able to convert into a double with a pull-out extension. Our trademark folding dining table hinges from the bulkhead storage rack to provide for either a large serving/dining area or, when retracted, a completely open salon.  Large storage areas are available under and behind both port and starboard settees, in cabinets outboard and above the settees and in a cedar lined hanging locker. Large capacity tanks for water, fuel and waste are located under the sole, keeping these considerable weights low and close to the center of the yacht to maximize stability, minimize trim changes and increase useful storage elsewhere.

The full size navigation table with swing-out seat, adjacent to the main salon, should please the most ardent navigator, and includes recessed master electrical distribution panels with numerous spare breakers and ample panel space for dealer/owner installed electronics. A storage tray is provided under the hinged tabletop, with a locker under and outboard of the table and a chart drawer under the settee immediately forward of the nav area.

The 420 galley combines the best features of all previous Island Packet models and is notable for its generous counter space, storage room and numerous convenience features. Our recently developed ice box installation with hinged and double gasketed push-button latch lid and super-insulated box is factory prepared for dealer/owner installation of refrigeration. There’s plenty of room for block ice if preferred, or capacity for extra refrigerated storage on longer voyages. This installation was developed jointly with a professional refrigeration manufacturer and tested by an independent lab during its development. It has resulted in the best insulating qualities of any marine ice box design the lab has tested (and they’ve done quite a few). Seaward’s recently introduced sealed-top LPG range is standard, along with a microwave oven (A/C operation only). Several deep storage drawers, a pullout trash receptacle, dish rack with cutlery drawers, pot and pan bin, dry storage lockers and counter top cabinets should make one feel right at home. All sole surfaces in the galley, companionway and navigation areas are molded in a slip-resistant diamond pattern for improved safety and ease of maintenance in these frequently used areas. A teak grate in the sole covers a lift-out dust tray, access to the fuel and water tank fittings and the lighted bilge sump.  In the twenty years since the founding of Island Packet Yachts, I am more excited than ever about the yachts we are creating. In many ways, the new 420 represents the best of everything that has earned Island Packet its position as America’s Cruising Yacht Leader.

Bob Johnson, N.A.
President