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Private company

Island Packet Yachts

Logo: ipy.com3

Sailboat manufacturer

Island Packet Yachts is an American builder of blue-water cruising sailing and motor yachts, based out of Largo, Florida. The incorporated name for the company is Traditional Watercraft, Inc. Production facilities are located on five acres of ground with 52,000 square feet (4,800 m2) of covered manufacturing space in central Pinellas County. Island Packet Yachts is a subsidiary of Traditional Watercraft, Inc., founded by naval architect Bob Johnson in 1979.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Feb 5, 2018Founded1

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Island Packet Yachts is an American builder of blue-water cruising sailing and motor yachts, based out of Largo, Florida. The incorporated name for the company is Traditional Watercraft, Inc. Production facilities are located on five acres of ground with 52,000 square feet (4,800 m2) of covered manufacturing space in central Pinellas County.2

How it started

History

Island Packet models have won several industry awards over the years, including seven Cruising World magazine "Boat of the Year" awards and three SAIL magazine "Best Boats" awards. Most recently, Island Packet Yachts won Cruising World Magazine's "Domestic Boat of the Year" Award in 2019 for the IP349, and in 2021, they won Cruising World Magazine's "Best Full-Size Cruiser of the Year" Award for the IP439. Original owner and Naval Architect Bob Johnson is also the recipient of the 1999 "Industry Award for Leadership" presented by SAIL magazine.

In mid-April 2016, Traditional Watercraft was acquired by Hake Yachts, which combined operations to build Island Packet, Blue Jacket, and Seaward yachts in its Largo, Florida, facilities.

In January 2017, Darrell and Leslie Allen took ownership of the company, focusing on reinvigorating the Island Packet brand by introducing a new model (IP349) and allowing for new owners to specify certain aspects of both interior and rig configuration.

From Wikipedia’s article on Island Packet Yachts, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Timeline

  1. Feb 5, 2018Founded Founded1

Sources

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