1987 Other 43 — Island Hopper

Island Hopper is a distinctive Skip Johnson 43 trimaran combining performance, proven offshore capability, and a comfortable cruising setup. Originally designed and built as Skip Johnson’s personal boat, she was constructed in California using cold-moulded cedar, epoxy and fiberglass, resulting in a strong, lightweight platform with the performance characteristics for which his trimarans are known.

Following an extensive refit in Grenada and St. Maarten during 2022/23, Island Hopper has continued to cruise extensively throughout the Caribbean, up to the United States and back to the Dominican Republic. Major updates include new standing and running rigging, 400Ah LiFePO4 batteries, 960W of solar, upgraded navigation electronics, refreshed interior, watermaker, and numerous mechanical and deck improvements.

Her bright interior offers two private cabins plus additional accommodation in the saloon, while a spacious cockpit, substantial solar array and well-equipped systems make her particularly suited to extended cruising.

For sailors looking for something fast, capable and genuinely different from a conventional cruising monohull or production multihull, Island Hopper offers an intriguing combination of pedigree, extensive upgrades and proven cruising experience.

Full details

Accommodation

Bright and open interior with a practical layout designed for comfortable cruising. The vessel offers two separate private cabins, including a V-berth forward and private captain’s quarters located aft of the helm.

The main saloon provides an additional double berth, allowing for flexible sleeping arrangements for family or guests.

Throughout the interior, there is generous storage for personal belongings, provisions, and cruising gear, making the layout well suited for extended stays aboard.

Interior Comforts and Amenities

• Full interior refit – all new (2022/23)
• New fridge evaporator plate
• Gas / Propane Hob
• LED interior lights (2024)
• New portlights
• Dometic Freezer
• 12V TV
• Lewmar hatches serviced / seals replaced
• Mattresses replaced
• 20L Hot Water / Calorifier
• 12V water pump
• Jabsco toilet
• Eco-Sistems Splash 30 watermaker replaced (2025)
• Potable water hosing replaced (2025)
• Salon windows replaced (2025)

Electronics and Navigation

• Raymarine chartplotter (2024)
• Raymarine wind, speed, depth, AP head unit installed (2024)
• Starlink V2 Dish (2024)

Electrical Systems

• 400ah LiFePO4 batteries (2022/2023)
• Inverter / charger (2022/2023)
• Victron Solar Controllers (2022/2023)
• 960W solar (2022/2023)
• Air-Silex X Wind Gen (2022/2023)
• 110V / 220V outlets (2022/2023)

Deck and Hull Equipment

• Lewmar winches (5)
• Bimini top and all sunbrella replaced (2024)
• 30kg Delta anchor
• Fortress FX-30 backup anchor
• Cockpit cushions
• Forward and side spray screens
• Full set of dock lines
• Rear swim platform and steps
• Side stanchions
• 4 person liferaft (new 2021)
• Full stainless arch
• Nav lights
• Deck shower

Sails and Rigging

• New standing rigging (2022)
• New turnbuckles (2024)
• New running rigging (2022)
• Rig service (2024)
• Ullman Mainsail – three reefs, fully battened (Dacron)
• Ullman Genoa / Mainsail – heavy duty
• Spinnaker

Mechanical Equipment

• Rudder bearing replaced (2022)
• Saildrive membrane / gaiter replaced (2022)
• 2-blade Flex-o-fold propeller serviced (2022)
• 12V windlass serviced (2022)
• Steering cables replaced (2022)
• 12V Bilge Pumps (2022)
• Bow Thruster (2022)
• Fire extinguishers (3) (2022)

Safety Equipment

• Life Buoy
• Emergency Tiller

Engine Info

• Yanmar 3GM 30 (reconditioned 2016)
• Saildrive
• Flex-o-fold 2 blade prop

Dinghy Info

• Zodiac 10 ft
• Nissan 18hp 2020

Tankage

• Water: 63 gal = 240L
• Holding: 14 gal = 55L
• Fuel: 63 gal = 250L

Owners Comments and Boat History

Following a multi-year trip westward circumnavigation, Island Hopper has recently undergone a full refit and will soon be available for new ownership.

Skip designed a number of sleek trimarans and this 43 – his personal boat – was one of the sharpest. Built from cold-moulded cedar, epoxy and glass in California, she’s been meticulously maintained over the years and as only the fourth owners, we commissioned a full refit in Grenada / St Maarten in ‘22/‘23. Island Hopper then took us comfortably and quickly all over the Caribbean and up to the US, and back to the DR.

Island Hopper has been an incredibly comfortable boat to both live and work aboard, with plenty of interior space and generous deck areas to enjoy. Most importantly, she has been an absolute pleasure to sail. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time aboard and the adventures she has taken us on.

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com

Listing data via Yachtr.com MLS, as published by the broker.

Listed by BVI Yacht Sales; specs and price as published by the broker — on the market here since October 2026. Confirm details with the broker directly.