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Island Packet Yachts closes

stnick

stnick

lee nicholas
Bob Johnston has sold the molds of the packets to Seaward Yachts . But not the name .
Packets were built in Largo Florida .
Packet had customer satification very high on there list . ! Seaward is known to be distant after the sale.
 
When we were in the Bahamas, Island Packet boats were the most common brand that we saw. A lot of serious cruisers sail those boats. I wonder how a company with that big a share of the market would go under? Is the new boat market doing so poorly?

Jim
 
jimcleary said:
When we were in the Bahamas, Island Packet boats were the most common brand that we saw. A lot of serious cruisers sail those boats. I wonder how a company with that big a share of the market would go under? Is the new boat market doing so poorly?

Jim
Click to expand...
Actually Beneteau/Jeauneau has the market share now...for better or worse
 
jimcleary said:
John
Not in the Bahamas they didn't.

Jim
Click to expand...
No...just worldwide...we see that there are lots more blue water type hosts down there but all the big charters now have the aforementioned...cheap easy to replace...we almost bought a 36 islands packet before we bought the Morgan...price wasn't the issue at the time...just liked the classic looks and performance for where we are...sometimes wonder with all the racing we are doing in such a short season here in New England if we should have purchased a C&C or Tartan...more suited for racing while still a civil cruising boat...we always look just never see anything that ticks the boxes...our boat is fun to sail...simple for one or two people...most of the time.
 
John
The charter companies love to use the "cocktail" boats in their business. But a lot of people who do serious cruising need more substantial boats. The Island Packets have been filling that bill recently. I'm really surprised to hear that they could no longer compete in that market.

Jim
 
It maybe that owner in his early 70's and no one to take over decided to get out of the business. It was sold.
 
jimcleary said:
John
The charter companies love to use the "cocktail" boats in their business. But a lot of people who do serious cruising need more substantial boats. The Island Packets have been filling that bill recently. I'm really surprised to hear that they could no longer compete in that market.

Jim
Click to expand...
Yes. I know. Price was a big factor...a lot of people from other countries just wanted the IKEA boats...style, space, amenities, size, bang for the buck..."preaching to the choir" here. Like I said we almost bought one 8 years ago but decided against it. I guess as we get older things change. My old friend Bill Crealock had a great line I thought..."boats may change but the seas stay the same!" I liked his 37. His favorite too.
 
Bert
According to Lee's first posting, the owner sold the molds and not the company name. That sounds like he just closed the doors
 
Island Packet
"After several attempts to reach them this week, it appears that IPY has closed. All of the phone lines are dead and the company email addresses, as well as the direct employee addresses that were attempted, all kicked back as no longer in existence. Company employees had shared that they were in tough shape during 2015, never recovered from the financial crisis, and hadn't been selling many boats in recent years. An eviction notice dated Feb 24, 2016 was posted on the locked factory door."

Had many management and profitability issues...SewardHake purchased what was left.
 
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I guess that's that!! I guess it has to do with good old boats like ours, with proper care, are lasting much longer than anyone expected when they were built. Who could afford a new boat these days??

Jim
 
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