Design Portfolio — November 2004
By George L. Petrie

Island Pilot 395 Fast Trawler

Stephen Davis  More of this Feature • Part 1: Island Pilot 395 • Island Pilot 395 Specs • Island Pilot 395 Deck Plan
Related Resources • Boat Test Index
Elsewhere on the Web • Island Pilot

Want to create a lasting impression without making a big dent in your wallet? How about an honestly priced yacht that’s truly fully equipped? Or maybe you’re on the hunt for a genuine fast trawler, one with design finesse rather than just big engines.

A refreshing departure from the mainstream, the Island Pilot (IP) 395 echoes the no-nonsense look of pilot boats. Wide side decks and doors on either side of the deckhouse allow for easy docking. For versatility, the helm and companion seats are high-low swivel chairs that can be fixed in recessed sockets or arranged in a grouping with the sofa bed and cocktail table.

All furniture and paneling is satin-finished teak, and cabin soles are solid teak and holly. But that just hints at the long list of standard amenities. Start with a genset and air conditioning, a complete Raymarine electronics suite (VHF, autopilot, radar, GPS/plotter, fishfinder, and LCD display), an all-in-one 17-inch LCD Windows-XP media center, washer/dryer, 11-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer, and microwave. Even the nine-foot RIB with an 8-hp outboard comes standard.

With her draft of just 2'8", the IP 395 should be able to cruise most anywhere. Cored-composite construction keeps her weight to a mere 19,000 pounds, so the modest pair of standard 160-hp diesels should deliver an efficient yet spirited 16-knot cruise, with a top speed around 19 knots. Owners wanting more muscle can opt for either twin 260-hp or twin 350-hp engines, which promise speeds approaching 30 knots. All three offerings are Volvo Penta systems: electronically controlled, fuel-injected diesel engines, heavy-duty outdrives, and composite dual props. This high-tech diesel outdrive system offers savings in size, weight, complexity, and cost and puts the motors into a sound-insulated compartment under the aft deck, where three oversize hatches provide easy access for maintenance.

The Island Pilot 395 is a fitting choice for those who aspire to chart their own destiny without breaking the bank (introductory price is $339,500).

Island Pilot ( (888) 443-2965. www.islandpilot.com.

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