Island Pilot 395 - opinions/experiences?

[Nick14]

Greetings all, I've been away for a while, moving across the country. Settled in and now looking for my next boat (#14, probably also my last boat).

I would appreciate any comments anyone might have on the Island Pilot 395. There's not much on-line about them, and only one old thread here. Does anyone own one? Been on one? Have any observations on the build quality, or especially, seakeeping abilities?

Thank you!

 

[IRENE]

Nick 14,

Is this the one with the Volvo Penta DPH drives?

If so, I can share some experience with a DPH drive we owned. In short, they require careful attention but would not break an otherwise good boat deal.

Sorry I can’t offer anything about the boat itself.

 

[DavidM]

If any boat has an I/O drive, either the new style like the Volvo DPH or old, it is a non starter for me. I/Os are the antithesis of what a trawler should be based on: simple systems, reliable and easy to maintain. I/O drives are not.


David

 

[rsn48]

The Island Pilot 395 is really an express cruiser all dressed up, but is a planing boat at heart. I personally prefer boats that can go faster as you can always slow down to save fuel etc. For the area I cruise, the sections I cross frequently gets boring quickly so I like to use the speed to get through the first hour (which would be two and a half hours at reduced cruising speed) then slow down once I hit my favoured "cruising grounds." I then speed up for the last hour back to the marina. So in a trip that might be fifteen hours in total cruising time, about two of them will be near wide open.

 

[nwboater]

Nick49, did you end up buying the Island Pilot 395? What can you report about its performance and handling? Is it a comfortable boat when running at slower speed (8-10 knots)? Currently we own a Selene but want to downsize to something smaller, faster and different from what's out there. The PNW is our cruising grounds...where are you?
Richard