The Island Packet Estero 36 Sailboat

The Island Packet Estero 36, a long-keeled masthead sloop, was designed by Robert Johnson and built in the USA by Island Packet Yachts.

An Island Packet Estero 36 sailboat.An Island Packet Estero 36 - note the characteristic Hoyt jib boom.

Published Specification for the Island Packet Estero 36 

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 36'5" / 11.1m

Waterline Length: 31'5" / 9.6m

Beam: 12'4" / 3.8m

Draft: 4'0" / 1.2m

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 19,299lb / 8,754kg

Designer: Robert Johnson

Builder: Island Packet Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 2009

Owners Association: Island Packet Owners Association


Published Design Ratios for the Island Packet Estero 36 

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.8

  • 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: 38.9

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 277

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 31.9

  • 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: 1.84

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

read more about these all-revealing numbers...


Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Island Packet Estero 36 

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 15.8 suggests that the Island Packet Estero 36 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 38.9 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Island Packet Estero 36 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 277, tells us the Island Packet Estero 36 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 31.9 suggests that crew comfort of an Island Packet Estero 36 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 an Island Packet Estero 36 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.


Other sailboats in the Island Packet range include:


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