The Island Packet 445 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Island Packet 445, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by Bob Johnson and built in the USA by Island Packet Yachts.

An Island Packet 445, a high-volume, centre-cockpit cruising yacht designed by Bob Johnson.

Many thanks to Jim Shanahan for this great pic of his Island Packet 445 'Watermark III'

Published Specification for the Island Packet 445

Underwater Profile: Long Keel

Hull Material: GRP (fiberglass)

Length Overall: 45'9" (13.94m)

Waterline Length: 38'1" (11.61m)

Beam: 14'4" (4.37m)

Draft: 5'0" (1.52m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 34,500lb (15,649kg)

Designer: Bob Johnson

Builder: Island Packet Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 2004

Published Design Ratios for the Island Packet 445

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.3

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 34.8

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 279

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 38.1

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Island Packet 445

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.3 suggests that the Island Packet 445 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 34.8 means that the Island Packet 445 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and may need to be reefed early to keep her sailing comfortably upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 279, tells us the Island Packet 445 is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 38.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Island Packet 445 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a Island Packet 445 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.