The Island Packet History

On July 4th of this year the first IP26 Mark I was launched in Clearwater, FL for sea trials and then sent to the owner in Massachusetts. The first three IP’s were sold through classified ads in Sail and Cruising World Magazines and were ordered and paid for sight unseen. In October 1980, we participated in our first show, the Annapolis Boat Show. Initially, the IP’s were built under contract by Marine Innovators, a small yacht building shop in Clearwater owned by friends of Bob’s. The company was later sold but IP was fortunate to have one of the original owners, Pete Pastor, later join us.