ip survey/what to look for in particular issues

I'm sizing up an IP350 year 2002 for possible purchase. Can anyone offer anything with respect to what to look for regarding repair and maintenance? What issues have you had? For example, tankage and chain plate problems. I'm finding little on-line that is helpful. Also, any thoughts you might have about your boats having fullfilled your pre-purchase desires would be immensly appreciated. Thank you very much and hope to hear back....

Hello Grande and Welcome! IP was a bit slow to move away from aluminum holding tanks. The 350 may have a polyethylene tank, but I would want that verified....otherwise budgeting for a future tank replacement is necessary. My chain plates are enclosed behind an interior wall and not easily accessed. Periodic maintenance of the chain plate covers on the cap rail is necessary...remove old caulking, recaulk, and close. Otherwise, normal boat maintenance is necessary.

Island Packet builds a very fine boat. I can not recall meeting anyone who was not pleased with their purchase...even years later.

Bill



Bill

Thank you, Bill. A pleasure to get a response. Its too bad about the tank issues. I since found several posts on the subject with all the gory details. Having to tear the floor up for tank maintenance is not a good design at all. And of coarse deficient tanks are just as bad. Maby there is a better excuse for making the chainplates so inaccesible. Thank you for the info. on the changeover to polypro. I shall keep that in mind. I wanted to ask you what boat you have and did you buy it new? What have you done/had done to it other than the normal stuff? Do you sleep atharthship and do you like it esp. underway? How's the jib sheeting angle? I guess ip's don't have running backstays but does the standing rig do good with respect to the staysail operation? Mast bend? Have you had a chance to do alot of sailing and where? Are you satisfied with the performance? Up wind? Down wind? Sorry for all the questions but there just are so many about boats... Thanks again and drop me another line if you get the chance!

Grant
Hayden here, we love the ip line and the 350 is a nice upgrade to the ip 31/32. We have owned 2 ips, 27 for 10 ys and now 35 for 10 yrs. Bill, above owns a 40, the dream ip! As for chainplates, this is something to not worry about, just keep em sealed, or caulked and go sailing. They cannot be inspected and the factory is starting into a refit program where we can now get them replaced. Maybe after 15+ yrs this should be looked into.

Tanks, thats a big topic, they are aluminum and this is really an issue mainly with the holding tank. Sea water, saltwater and urine will etch the welds at the corners and eventually will fail. It is a well documented issue, so one solution is to not use saltwater, but flush with fresh water, thats what we do. I have replaced 3 holding tanks, and its a pain. On the newer boats, 350, its under the floor, so it gets cut out. There are many places that will do this, but the cost can be 5-10k.

As for items to check, the only item i would check is engine cylinder compression readings, so an engine survey should be done. All other items are really no big deal, they are all cosmetic: teak, beds, cushions, electronics, sails, canvas....they all can be replaced and upgraded. These ips are so well built, i could buy one simply on walking on it and looking into the engine room. If its clean, buy it.

I also would recomend that you look at the older ips, like the 32, 35, 37. These are great boats similar price and in my opinion far better lines and beautiful sheer curves! The ips with zeros have a flat sheer, lower bow (duh) and a near unusable swimplatfirm due to height off water and ladder that cuts it off making it useless except for the curved up sides. Drop the ladder on a 350 and then stand on he platfirm that is left, this ladder really needs redesigned.

So, whatever ip you buy, you will be very happy, cause the quality is great.

Ps, the ip35 is much larger than the 350 and it is cheaper! Check em out!
Hayden

Hayden, Thanks a lot for the review of your experience with IP. I've seen pictures of a holding tank R and R on iphomeport- not pretty! Composting toilet(s) and a swap for an additional fuel tank might be another scenario? Regarding your estimation of the size difference between a 35 and a 350; I see a difference of 1ft and 8inches in LOA and LWL respectively in the specs. Do other factors come into play wrt how you look at the greater size of the 35? And an update on my boat search. The 350 that is close at hand turns out to have the in-mast furling. I haven't wanted that so I put a visit on hold. So I've been considering a 35 and a 38 that are also on the west coast. And with conventional main, of coarse. What's your opinion and experience with an in mast system? I think full batten is the way to go. Besides another mechanical devise, an IP350 needs all the help in can get to go places. The PHRF(for what its worth) for a 35 is 183. The 38 is 171 and the 350 had no rating but would be @ the same. Like you said, the older boats are a good value and in the case of the 38, the extra size is appealing. The 40 prices seem to be more than I want to spend! Any thoughts on IP performance? Have you made a passage in good time not because of its design speed but because of its handling characteristics? I'm drawn to this type of boat for its blue water appeal and IP seems to be a solid choice. Of coarse there is a speed trade off but that is just one factor in my book. So let me know if any of my questions become food for a reply. Happy sailing. P.S. For anybody out there with interest; please give a shout!