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Islander 32 MkII

1976–1980 · designed by Robert Perry · built by Islander Yachts

The Islander 32 MkII is a Bob Perry-designed production cruiser-racer introduced in 1976, aimed at the West Coast coastal cruising and club-racing market. Perry increased freeboard over the earlier Gurney-designed Islander 32 to improve interior volume. The design features a fin keel, semibalanced spade rudder, and a keel-stepped masthead sloop rig. The boat earned a reputation as a capable daysailer and overnight coastal cruiser rather than an offshore passage-maker, and was priced as an accessible entry into mid-range fiberglass production sailing.

This is a general read on the Islander 32 MkII class — informed background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history, and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.

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At a glance

Hull form: Fin Keel
Ballast: Bolt On Lead
Rudder: Spade
Mast step: Keel Stepped
Hull construction: Fiberglass
Production: 1976–1980
Built in: USA

What the Islander 32 MkII is known for

Keel-stepped mast is the correct choice for a boat used in open coastal waters — more robust in knockdowns than a deck-stepped rig.
Bob Perry's fin keel and semibalanced spade rudder give the MkII noticeably better upwind performance and helm responsiveness than the earlier Gurney-designed Mk I full-keel version.
Accessible price point relative to condition makes it achievable for first-time keelboat buyers or those on limited budgets, with money left for refit.
West Coast production quality for its era was generally consistent; Islander had a reasonable reputation for hull fairness and basic structural soundness when new.

Known trade-offs

Plywood deck core is highly susceptible to water intrusion at any hardware penetration; soft decks and delamination are the norm, not the exception, at this age.
1970s polyester layup means virtually every hull in this class has some degree of osmotic blistering below the waterline.
Original electrical and through-hull systems are 40-50 years old; seacocks are frequently frozen or deteriorated and represent a safety risk that must be addressed before offshore or extended use.
Interior finish and hardware are dated; while functional, the layout reflects 1970s ergonomics and storage expectations that many modern sailors find limiting.
Parts obsolescence for original Atomic 4 engine makes it an impractical powerplant; any Atomic 4 in situ should be treated as a repower line item in the purchase budget.

Age-related quirks to expect

Osmotic blistering — 1970s polyester layup High 1976–1980

Plywood deck core rot around hardware penetrations High 1976–1980

Original engine (Atomic 4 or early Yanmar) at or past service life Medium 1976–1980

Standing rigging at or well past replacement age High 1976–1980

Chainplate and hull-deck joint stress cracking Medium 1976–1980

Systems to check before you buy

Deck core and hardware bedding priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Plywood-cored decks of this era are vulnerable to water intrusion at stanchion bases, chainplate exits, and any hardware through-bolt. Plywood core holds moisture aggressively and can be widespread by this age; soft spots and delamination are common. Full deck re-core is a major cost if neglected.

Hull below waterline — blister survey priority: offshore, coastal, weekending

1970s hand-layup glass with polyester resin is a known blister generator. Boats that have sat in fresh water fare better; saltwater-kept hulls of this age frequently need barrier coat treatment or more extensive osmotic repair. Requires dry haulout and moisture metering.

Standing rigging and chainplates priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard, weekending

Wire rigging on a 40–50 year old boat should be assumed due or overdue for replacement regardless of appearance. Chainplates on this era of Islander are interior-bolted; inspect for crevice corrosion and deck-compression cracking at the exit point.

Engine and raw-water cooling system priority: coastal, liveaboard, motor

Atomic 4 gas engines are obsolete and parts are scarce; many have been repowered with a small Yanmar or Westerbeke diesel. Verify the repower was done properly (motor mounts, coupling alignment, exhaust). If the original Atomic 4 remains, budget a diesel repower.

Keel-to-hull joint and keel bolt condition priority: offshore, coastal

Bolt-on lead keel of this vintage is subject to keel bolt corrosion and weeping at the joint. Look for rust staining, linear cracking at the sump, and check bilge for evidence of persistent water ingress at the keel. A keel drop for bolt inspection may be warranted on older unserviced hulls.

How it fits your plans

Offshore: Marginal for offshore passages. The keel-stepped rig is a positive, but the spade rudder offers less protection than a skeg-hung arrangement, the age of the hull means likely tired infrastructure, and the modest stability reserve makes this a poor choice for bluewater unless extensively refit. Cost of bringing the boat to offshore-ready condition often exceeds the boat's value.
Coastal: The intended use case. A well-maintained Islander 32 MkII is a capable and comfortable coastal cruiser. Good cockpit ergonomics, adequate sail area, and reasonable motion in chop. Verify deck core and rigging before committing to anything beyond day sailing.
Liveaboard: Tight for full-time liveaboard but manageable for a solo or couple on a budget. Headroom is modest by modern standards. Galley and v-berth are functional; tankage is limited. Expect to upgrade systems (electrical, plumbing) which are 40-50 years old.
Weekending: Well suited for weekend sailing and club racing. Easy to single-hand, forgiving rig, and the price point keeps acquisition cost low. Primary risk is deferred maintenance catching up mid-season.
Racing: Competitive in vintage class events and some PHRF fleets depending on local rating. Not a performance boat by modern standards but can be active club racing at the right handicap.

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