T&T - NewsIsland Packet 440 in test

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 18.05.2006

T&T - News: Island Packet 440 in testPhoto: H.-G. Kiesel YACHT
The ship for the long haul

Time instead of haste, comfort instead of speed, tradition instead of evolution: the Island Packet from the USA is a special yacht. Also because it is one of the last ocean-going GRP production boats with a long keel.

The yacht from Florida is therefore the maritime counterpart to the cliché of the large, cosy, soft-sprung American road cruiser. It also boasts high-quality boat building, successful detailed solutions and a sensible, sometimes even surprising interior design.

What it looks like, how it feels and what makes it special: test in the new YACHT, issue 11 (on newsstands since 17 May).

Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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