The Island Packet Estero 36 Sailboat

No, the Island Packet Estero 36 is not still in production, having ended in 2014. The exact number of boats built is not available, but the company is believed to have sold 20 boats by 2012.

The builders of the Island Packet Estero 36 are Island Packet Yachts, a company founded by Robert K. Johnson in 1979 in Florida. The company started with a 26-foot boat based on the molds of the Bombay Express, and then expanded its range of full-keel cruisers over the years. The company is still in business and currently produces seven models, ranging from 35 to 52 feet.

The Island Packet Estero 36 has a cutter rig with a self-tacking staysail on a Hoyt Jib Boom and a roller-furling genoa. The mainsail is also roller-furling and has a single-line reefing system. The mast is deck-stepped and has double spreaders and an air draft of 48 feet.

The Island Packet Estero 36 has only one keel option, which is Johnson's patented full-foil keel. This is a long, shallow keel that integrates the rudder and propeller in an aperture. The keel has a draft of four feet and a ballast of 7,000 pounds.

The Island Packet Estero 36 is designed to be easy to sail, especially for short-handed crews or couples. The self-tending staysail and roller-furling sails make sail handling simple and reduce the need for winches. The boat has a moderate displacement of 18,500 pounds and a sail area of 708 square feet, giving it a sail area to displacement ratio of 15.6. This means that the boat is not very fast or powerful, but rather stable and comfortable. The boat performs well in light to moderate winds, but may struggle in heavy weather or upwind.

The average cost of a secondhand Island Packet Estero 36 depends on the year, condition, equipment, and location of the boat. According to YachtWorld.com, as of December 2021, there are four boats for sale in the US, ranging from $199,000 to $249,000. The average asking price is $224,250.

The designer of the Island Packet Estero 36 is Robert K. Johnson, who has created all of the Island Packet models since the company's inception. Some of his other sailboats include the IP SP Cruiser (a motorsailer), the IP Blue Jacket 40 (a performance cruiser), the IP PY Cruiser (a pilothouse yacht), and the IP flagship IP 520 (a bluewater cruiser).