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.
- 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.comThe 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.
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Water 157 gal
“157 US gal” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com · “157 (gals)” — owners' association (1986-1993), iphomeport.com
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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.comThe 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.comAn 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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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.