IP 40, the dream boat?

Hello, Everyone,

I am looking for my retirement dream boat, and the IP 40 is on the short list. Summer days on Long Island Sound are often pretty calm, so I'm trying to get a sense of whether I would be happy with a full-keeled boat. I also cruise, but that is a separate issue.

I'm trying to keep it simple, so let me ask my question this way: How much wind does it take to feel like you're "really sailing" on this vessel? Or putting it another way, how much breeze would you need to make it feel worthwhile to hoist sail?

Thanks for your help.

Steve

Steve,
I just bought my 1998 IP 40 six months ago and had the same concern. I always assumed a heavy full keel boat wouldn't sail that great. I am happy to report that I was incorrect. The boat sails fine in lighter winds and we are loving everything about this boat. I hoist the sail at 10 knots.
Radd on SV SASHA

IMHO, I think the 40 is mighty fine. It really would be a dream to have one. However, we love our 32 and what Hayden said about wind speed holds true for us as well. I raced and owned small boats before our Island Packet, and I love having a heavy, full-keel cruising boat. Her ride is most comfy and I feel safe on her no matter what conditions we run into. I just don't think you could go wrong with an IP40, especially if you can find one that has been loved and pampered.

I am not objective about this......Period.

The IP 40 is our dream boat. We have an 1995 IP 40, Delica, and we love it, we live on it about 5 months a year. It sails well, and I agree with Hayden's assessment of the wind requirements/sailing performance. We have sailed about 17k nm miles on her. North Carolina to Southern Bahamas annually. Some ICW and some offshore - Atlantic and Gulf Stream. We sail routinely with 40 - 45 Catalinas, Hunters, and Beneteaus. In real sailing conditions in the real ocean we are as fast and we are more comfortable. We know from talking with our long time cruising friends. We are willing to go when they aren't. We arrive when they do, and we just don't get beat up as much. The auto pilot doesn't work as hard, the weight of the stores doesn't matter as much. The 4'8" draft and protected prop are neat, their is less to worry about. Another under appreciated feature is that there are 4 good sea berths - So a crew of four can sleep on the boat with out sleeping together. And underway they still all have their own sea berths. I have had volunteer crew members who skippered their own boats do passages with me... 370 IP, 34, 40, and 42 Catalinas, 38 Jeaneau, and a 44 CSY. They all come aboard with the same "she can't sail, too slow.to get out of her own way etc...." concerns and they go away with the same "I couldn't/wouldn't attempt that on my boat....."

If you want to sail around the markers and race in fair weather this isn't the best boat. Just depends on your desirements. It is a passage maker. Great for two couples for a couple of weeks also.

Since asking for help in make this boat-buying decision, I have heard nothing but boat-praise from IP owners who clearly love their boats. That's not surprising on an IP list, but still it's a very good thing. I settled on an 370 instead of a 40 because I need a boat that I can manage without much help from the crew, and alas, in all honesty, I can only say I am a aging, mid-level sailor.

However, the deal has not yet closed, and I was concerned about the comments the last post on this thread that 370 owners who sailed on a 40 were amazed and awed by the sailing ability of the 40. Is there really such a difference? Do the 370 owners really believe this? If there are any 370's out there, I would love to hear what you have to say about it first hand. Or is it just a matter of size and that a 42 would sail even better than the 40? I know the PHRF is (slightly) higher for the 370 in Long Island Sound.

In that vein, I was thinking that a furling asymmetic would help solve some light wind issues on the 370. Any thoughts on that?

Steve

I stumbled on this thread. I’d forgotten it was still open.

I own Getting There, an IP 370, currently in Honeymoon Bay, St. Thomas by way of MA-VA-Bermuda. Great trip. The boat and it’s crew were happy and confident in the vessel. No big storms, but 30 kts was no problem, and the Gulf Stream passage was straight forward.

It’s miserable in New England this January day, but I am bobbing on sapphire seas under azure skies. I’m wearing a bathing suit, but only beacause I don’t want to scare the neighbors.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Steve
s/v Getting There