BIG FISH (ISLAND PACKET)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 16.58 ft |
| Beam | 5 ft |
| Draft | 3.33 ft/ 0.33 ft min |
| Displacement | 265 lb |
About the BIG FISH (ISLAND PACKET)
A SUNFISH on steroids. Designed by a group of Island Packet employees headed by Bob Johnson. Built at the Island Packet plant in Largo, FL, USA. Designed for easy setup and appeal to novice sailors.
The Island Packet Big Fish is a compact, lateen-rigged sailboat built in the USA in 2006. With a displacement of 265.0 lb and a LOA of 16.58 ft, it represents a unique, lightweight design distinct from traditional cruising hulls.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for single-handers or couples seeking a low-maintenance, trailerable day sailor or coastal cruiser. Its lateen rig and variable keel suggest a focus on ease of handling and shallow-water access rather than heavy offshore passage-making.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 265.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 3.12, this boat lacks the mass and stability for serious bluewater cruising. It is designed for protected coastal waters and short passages, not extended offshore voyaging.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other lateen-rigged designs like the Gaffiot or specific experimental micro-cruisers from the mid-2000s. They are comparable due to the unconventional rigging and emphasis on simplicity over traditional sloop performance.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the BIG FISH (ISLAND PACKET) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 16.58ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the BIG FISH (ISLAND PACKET)yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a BIG FISH (ISLAND PACKET)? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your BIG FISH (ISLAND PACKET)?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
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Used sails that fit the BIG FISH (ISLAND PACKET)
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…