The Isotope comes with race-optimized rigging, including a single trapeze, main down-haul and out-haul, traveler, mast rotation limiter, furling jib, and barber out hauls. A front compression bar and short jib bridle give the boat an efficient sail plan with a low center of effort. Choose between “Rabbit-ear” and “hot-stick” tillers, with an optional “tiller return”. Class-legal owner modifications include multi-purchase jib sheets, rig tension systems, remote steering and centerboard controls, mainsail reefing, and custom sail plan design (limited only by total sail area). Owner inventions such as the “Howard Hook” and the “G(ene) String” have become standard equipment. Although not one-design legal, an Isotope can be fitted with an asymmetric spinnaker. Deck hatches allow on-the-water access to copious storage in the hull and sealed flotation bags make the Isotope practically unsinkable. Kick-up centerboards and rudders allow one to tune the boat to a neutral helm and will not be damaged by an encounter with a submerged object. The swing-out righting bar enables a single person to right a capsized Isotope quickly.

Custom gel-coat graphics are the norm. Some of the more striking designs are a shark, blue whale, pirate flag, lightning bolt, waves, and rainbow.

The largest fleet is close to the manufacturer in the North Carolina Piedmont area. The members are very supportive, giving rides, helping new sailors learn to rig, tune, and sail the boat, traveling together to regattas, and repairing boats. The fleet even has a local loft where sailors gather to lay out and sew their own sails.