Blue Skies is an Island Packet 40 Cutter that is a Rare Gem

Owners have loved and lavished this boat for 13 years and the list of upgrades proves it.

She is extremely well maintained and continually upgraded.

Short List of Upgrades (Be sure to see the complete list)

Engine replaced 2013

New Standing Rigging 2018

New Chain Plates 2018

New Holding Tank 2018

New Main, Jib, StaySail 2016

New Furling Spinnaker 2016

New Solar Panel 2022

Canvas Replaced

Refrigeration Replaced

FEATURES

Two Staterooms - Two Heads 

4'8" Shoal Draft - Full Keel 

Low Engine 2500 hours

Solar Panels

Wind Generator

Water Maker

Swim Platform

In Mast Furling

Cutter Rig

Radar Arch with Dinghy Davits

Broker's Note

Timeless Craftsmanship Meets Loving Stewardship: The Enduring Brilliance of a 1995 Island Packet 40

In a world where newer isn't always better, this 1995 Island Packet 40 stands as a testament to the enduring value of quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the transformative power of dedicated ownership. For the past 13 years, this particular IP40 has not only been sailed across spirited seas to find serene anchorages, but has been cared for with a level of devotion that’s rare in today’s market. And I should know—because I sold her to her current owners all those years ago.

From the moment they took the helm, they embraced her spirit with open arms and adventurous hearts. What followed was years of unforgettable voyages and meaningful moments—epic, memory-making adventures that only a true cruising yacht like this could deliver.

Built for Bluewater, Designed for Life

This Island Packet 40, was built in 1995 by Island Packet Yachts in Largo, Florida, and was engineered for serious sailing with safety, comfort, and offshore capability in mind. Her full-keel design, cutter rig, and spacious layout make her not just a passage-maker, but a home on the water. She tracks like a dream, takes care of her crew in all conditions, and has that warm, solid feel that tells you you're aboard something special.

Yet what truly sets this boat apart isn’t just her bones—it’s her story.

13 Years of Love, Upgrades, and Unforgettable Cruising

The current owners of this Island Packet 40 have poured heart and soul into her. Not a season passed without thoughtful upgrades and proactive maintenance. The owners love this boat, and it shows—on every surface, in every system, and in the confidence she inspires under sail.

Her adventures have taken her far and wide—through tropical anchorages, quiet coastal harbors, and windswept bluewater passages. She’s weathered squalls, hosted celebrations, and been a trusted companion for countless sunrises and starry nights. All the while, she’s been continually improved:

The Next Chapter Awaits

Now, after more than a decade of life aboard, the current owners are moving on to new adventures ashore. And this remarkable yacht—this floating storybook of joy and exploration—is ready to carry someone new into the next chapter.

For those seeking a true bluewater cruiser that’s genuinely ready to go, she represents a rare and precious opportunity. Not a “project boat.” Not a dream deferred. She’s the real thing—proven, perfected, and prepared for the horizon.

I’ve known this boat for many years, and I can say without hesitation: she’s special. She’s more than fiberglass and teak. She’s a vessel of dreams, memories, and potential. And now, she’s ready to write a whole new story—with you.

Accommodations

Blue Skies; interior features two double staterooms, well-separated for privacy, and each with an adjoining head and shower, combine with an expansive central living area to provide a gracious setting. Overhead handrails, bulkhead handgrips and an easily maintained, molded slip-resistant cabin sole in the galley to offer sure-footed movement while underway.

Main Salon

The L-shaped settee in the main salon can be quickly converted to an extra double berth with its built-in pullout panel. There is a single settee berth to port, teak cabinets & book shelves outboard of both settees. Large stowage areas are behind & under each settee. There is a cedar lined hanging locker with a top shelf located on the port side, forward of the settee. The deluxe drop leaf table folds against bulkhead rack (w- bottle stowage) for unobstructed 4' wide varnished teak & holly sole. Ventillation is through a large overhead hatch, numerous opening ports and deck vents.

Forward Cabin

Forward cabin has privacy doors to salon & head compartment. This cabin features a large double berth with a full-length teak shelf outboard and an overhead shelf on headboard - bulkhead with a convenient reading light. For personal belongings and clothes there are large stowage lockers and six cedar lined drawers. Generous cedar lined hanging locker with a top shelf plus a bureau with a top shelf. Three opening ports, overhead hatch, deck vents provide ventillation. The cabin sole is varnished teak & holly.

Forward head

The forward head has a separate shower with a curtain on an overhead track and a teak seat. the large vanity features a stainless steel sink, hot and cold pressure water and an unbreakable mirror. The counter top is Formica with teak trim. Storage cabinets are below the counter.There is also a tooth brush holder with a cup, a toilet paper holder and integral recessed lighting in the ceiling.

Aft Cabin

The aft cabin has privacy doors to the main cabin & head compartment.The berth is a large double with a full-length teak shelf outboard, a dressing seat and stowage lockers under the berth. There is a generous cedar lined hanging locker with a top shelf and a bureau. For ventillation, there are two opening ports plus an overhead hatch. The sole is varnished teak & holly. - Courtesy - night lights with a switch is located by companionway.

Aft Head

The aft head has a shower, a curtain on track, a teak seat that retracts for access to the marine head. The large vanity has a polished stainless steel sink, hot - cold pressure water with a shower head, and an unbreakable mirror. The Formica counter has teak trim, storage cabinets, overhead hatch & opening port, toothbrush holder w- cup, toilet paper holder. The door is conveniently located near the companionway in main cabin. There is an additional door for private access to aft cabin.

Galley

The galley is a large wrap-around design with Formica surfaces and teak sea rails on all edges. The icebox is a 12 cu.ft., top loading with superior injected froth type urethane insulation throughout. The gimbaled three burner stainless steel stove and oven with a liftoff cover, and a stainless steel guardrail. There is a pot and pan locker beneath the oven.

The double stainless steel sink features a hot & cold pressure water tap and a manual pump. The galley also includes a trash bin, a teak paper towel holder and a soap rack. There is a teak dish rack and cutlery drawers - Large storage areas are located above & below the counter. A.storage drawer is convenient for galley utensils. A microwave is included.

Navigation Station

Located forward of the galley on the starboard side of the main salon, the navigation station has a large, two position, table top with tray storage underneath. The navigation and electronics cabinet is very generous with a master AC-DC electrical panel plus room for variety of owner installed equipment. A chart stowage drawer is beneath the settee.

Upgrades

• New Engine Yanmar 4JH5E – 55 HP, Serial number – 2013
• New Heads 2013
• New AC Unit (Marine Air 16000 BTU) 2013
• Air Breeze Wind Turbine 2013
• Wind Generator Mount 2013
• Added Stainless Steel Arch, 2013
• Added Stern Rail Seats 2013
• Added Stainless Steel Stern Rail from Seats to end of cockpit 2013
• Replaced Anchor Chain (300’), Replaced secondary anchor rode 2013
• Addition of Swim Platform w Ladder 2013
• Replaced Cockpit Cushions 2013
• Replaced Salon Interior foam and fabric 2013
• Replaced Aft Cabin Mattress 2013
• Replaced Refrigeration Unit & Controls (2 Capri 50 Compressors) 2013
• Replaced Stove 2013
• Replaced black water lines 2014
• New Raymarine Autopilot, Chart Plotter & Radar 2014
• New SSB 2014
• New Spectra Water Maker (300 DPD/14 GPH) 2014
• 5 of 7 Lewmar Hatches Replaced 2016
• Replaced Main Mack Sails 2016 (2016)
• Replaced Jib,Mack Sails 2016
• Replaced Staysail Mack Sails 2016
• Replaced Running Rigging 2016
• Added Furling Spinnaker Mack Sails 2016
• Rebuilt Refrigerator/Freezer & replaced cold plates 2016
• Added 3 Rope Clutches on Mast to tighten Halyards 2017
• Replaced Holding Tank; Added Charcoal Vent Filter 2018
• New Chain Plates by Mack Yacht Services 2018
• New Bobstay by Mack Yacht Services 2018
• New Standing Rigging by Mack Sails 2018
• New Zarcor Blinds on all Portlets 2018
• Replaced Windless (Lofrans Tigres)2019
• Replaced Bimini & Dodger, added Sunshade 2020
• Integrated Bimini Stainless with Arch to eliminate cockpit poles 2020
• Replaced Steaming Light2020
• New AIS 2020
• Replaced Water Heater 2020
• Replaced Cutlass Bearing / Stern Tube 2021
• Replaced EPIRB (ACR-GlobalFix™ V4 Battery Expiration 2031) 2021
• Replaced Forward Cabin Mattress 2022
• Replaced Lithium Batteries (Victron 3- 200Ah Smart) 2022
• Victron Battery Monitor 2022
• Victron Smart Battery Protect (2- charge and load) 2022
• Replaced Smart Battery Management System (Victron) 2022
• Replaced Solar Panels (2- 330W Panasonic) 2022
• Replaced Solar Controllers (2- Victron) 2022
• Rebuilt Roller Furling 2024
• Replaced Motor Shaft 2024
• New Bottom Paint 2024

Electronics

• Raymarine E125 Chart Plotter with Radar
• Icom M802 Single Side Band
• Raymarine Autopilot
• Raymarine Knotmeter and Depth sounder
• Raymarine Wind Speed and Direction
• ACR-GlobalFix Epirb
• Raymarine AIS
• Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF at Chart Table
• Standard Horizo Ram 3 VHF Mic at Helm

Mechanical and Electrical

• Yanmar 4JH2E 55 Hp Diesel only 2500 hours Replaced 2013
• 16,000 BTU Air Conditioning
• Water Heater
• Lafrans Anchor Windlass
• Spectrum Water Maker
• Air Breeze Wind Generator
• (2) 330 Watt Solar Panels (Upgraded 2022)
• (3) Victron 200 Ah House Batteries
• (1) Lead Acid Start Battery
• Victron Battery Monitor 

Deck and Deck Gear

•  Welded stainless steel double bow rail & stern rail, stanchions, stern rail with stainless steel flag staff holder and stainless steel staff
• Wheel steering - console mounted custom Edson rack & pinion direct system with wheel brake, stainless steel wheel.
• Remote autopilot installation.
• Custom pedestal w- guard, engine control, hinged table.
• Emergency tiller with storage bracket
• Compass, Ritchie SP-5
• Double lifelines w- side gates
• Full length teak cabin top handrails
• Stern gate w- quick release hook
• Swim Platform and ladder
• Two heavy duty stainless steel anchor rollers 
• Thirteen opening ports w- screens - polished stainless steel, safety glass
• Seven deck hatches-forward head, forward cabin, salon, aft head, aft cabin, galley nav. area - Lewmar (Replaced in 2015)
• Four deck ventilators (dorade type) 
• Large forepeak w- louvered access door & overhead deck pipes, light, drain to bilge, center divider with attachment for rodes
• All exterior teak varnished
• Two 2" cockpit scuppers
• Fresh water cockpit shower - wash down (cold only)
• LPG deck storage bin w- 10 lb. aluminum propane tank (plus room for spare), drain overboard
• Windlass

Cockpit

• Cockpit instrument access cabinet
• Deluxe helm console with hinged table, guard and handgrip
• Compass and single-lever engine control
• Contoured cockpit seats almost 8 feet long with coaming storage boxes and line bins, seat hatches with hasps and locks
• cockpit cushions 
• Molded helm seat 
• Integral storage tray
• Molded fiberglass sliding companionway hatch with sea hood, latch inside, exterior hasp and lock
• Varnished Companionway doors 

Disclaimer

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

Co-Brokerage Agreement

Preferred Yachts offers this listing on a 50-50 split with PY approved corresponding Florida licensed yacht brokerages. Brokers unlicensed in Florida must contact listing broker to make arrangements that comply with Florida law.