Islander Yachts

Islander Yachts was a pioneering American sailboat manufacturer based in Costa Mesa, California, renowned for producing affordable, high-quality fiberglass cruisers and racer-cruisers during the 1960s and 1970s sailing boom. Founded amid the shift from wooden to mass-produced GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) boats, Islander emphasized spacious interiors, seaworthy hulls, and value-driven designs that appealed to West Coast families and club racers. The company collaborated with top naval architects like Bruce King, Alan Gurney, and Robert Perry, resulting in over 1,000 boats across 20+ models. Known for "kit versions" under the Yachtcraft brand (discontinued models sold as home-build kits), Islanders were built in an open-air factory setup, fostering a hands-on, innovative vibe. Production peaked in the mid-1970s but halted in 1985 due to economic woes, with some molds later moved to Texas and Costa Rica before the final shutdown.
Islanders embodied the era's optimism: sturdy, sail-fast-live-comfortably yachts that punched above their price point. Many remain afloat today, cherished for their solid construction and classic lines.