Not an experienced sailor. Learned to sail 30 years ago on a tiny boat on a small lake but it was very basic. It's a huge jump from that to a 38 foot sloop. But I live in the Pacific Northwest, right on the Puget Sound (or Salish Sea if you prefer). In Bellingham, not far from the San Juans. Can't think of a more wonderful place to own a boat if one loves idyllic settings.
My wife and I have friends who live on a sailboat. People who live and breath sailboats, own three, and work on them for a living. They've been encouraging us for years to get one and join them. Not in living on one, necessarily, but in recreating together. I've thought about it but it always seemed like a lot to take on. And then, recently, a good friend whom I really enjoy hanging out with, and with whom I've done a lot of projects -- everything from rebuilding a deck to restoring old Weber grills -- mentioned that he had found and was considering his 50+ year old Morgan. He's an experienced sailor and an excellent craftsman who can work in many media. So we test sailed it and decided to buy it together.
It's a 1971 Charley Morgan 38. Possibly the very last of the first run. I've read that there were 75 total build but then elsewhere I've seen estimates as high as 80. In any event, we have one of the last if not the very last off the line.
She's in pretty good shape. The last owner did a lot of interior work, and completely redid the plumbing and the electrical systems. Does not have the latest and greatest electronics and the hull should be painted fairly soon. Appears to be a small leak over the electrical panel that we'll need to track down. The engine was changed out in 2008 and only has 400 hours. A 42HP Vetus 4cyl cylinder diesel. The sails are older but still functional. Got it briefly up to 7 knots in relatively light wind on the test sail, though it settled in at around 6.5. But the winds that day were blowing maybe 5 knots so it surprised me how beautifully it got up to speed once I had her on her side. The engine needs to be primed to start so we'll have to fix that. But, once fired up, it seemed to run almost as fast with the sails down. Not a racing boat, to be sure, but pretty darn fast for a cruiser. The center board was sticking, the last owner said he never used it, though we did get it to come down later on, after we had made the purchase. We'll need to get that figured out, perhaps once we haul her out to repaint the hull.
I think we got a really great deal. Paid $10k. It included the dinghy and a whole bunch of gear. Basically everything that was on board and all the parts he was planning to install over time. The former owner and his wife planned to settle in with this boat through their retirement years but then plans changed. He is moving to Texas and not planning to own another boat for a while. We did not have the boat inspected. He seemed an honest fellow. Went out of his way to point out every little thing thing that needs work. Of course he could be a faker and there could be things he's not aware of but we figured at this price, with my friend's skill set, and with other friends eager to share their extensive knowledge, most likely we'll be fine.
Here's the interior.
And a couple more from the outside:
Please let me know if there's anything we should be particularly aware of or on the lookout for. There's of course work to be done but it's also ready to be sailed and enjoyed.
My wife is very new to this and tends to get motion sick. Hopefully she'll learn to enjoy it. Our seven year old son too, though I think he'll be an easier sell.
A few more photos for good measure.
My wife and I have friends who live on a sailboat. People who live and breath sailboats, own three, and work on them for a living. They've been encouraging us for years to get one and join them. Not in living on one, necessarily, but in recreating together. I've thought about it but it always seemed like a lot to take on. And then, recently, a good friend whom I really enjoy hanging out with, and with whom I've done a lot of projects -- everything from rebuilding a deck to restoring old Weber grills -- mentioned that he had found and was considering his 50+ year old Morgan. He's an experienced sailor and an excellent craftsman who can work in many media. So we test sailed it and decided to buy it together.
It's a 1971 Charley Morgan 38. Possibly the very last of the first run. I've read that there were 75 total build but then elsewhere I've seen estimates as high as 80. In any event, we have one of the last if not the very last off the line.
She's in pretty good shape. The last owner did a lot of interior work, and completely redid the plumbing and the electrical systems. Does not have the latest and greatest electronics and the hull should be painted fairly soon. Appears to be a small leak over the electrical panel that we'll need to track down. The engine was changed out in 2008 and only has 400 hours. A 42HP Vetus 4cyl cylinder diesel. The sails are older but still functional. Got it briefly up to 7 knots in relatively light wind on the test sail, though it settled in at around 6.5. But the winds that day were blowing maybe 5 knots so it surprised me how beautifully it got up to speed once I had her on her side. The engine needs to be primed to start so we'll have to fix that. But, once fired up, it seemed to run almost as fast with the sails down. Not a racing boat, to be sure, but pretty darn fast for a cruiser. The center board was sticking, the last owner said he never used it, though we did get it to come down later on, after we had made the purchase. We'll need to get that figured out, perhaps once we haul her out to repaint the hull.
I think we got a really great deal. Paid $10k. It included the dinghy and a whole bunch of gear. Basically everything that was on board and all the parts he was planning to install over time. The former owner and his wife planned to settle in with this boat through their retirement years but then plans changed. He is moving to Texas and not planning to own another boat for a while. We did not have the boat inspected. He seemed an honest fellow. Went out of his way to point out every little thing thing that needs work. Of course he could be a faker and there could be things he's not aware of but we figured at this price, with my friend's skill set, and with other friends eager to share their extensive knowledge, most likely we'll be fine.
Here's the interior.
And a couple more from the outside:
Please let me know if there's anything we should be particularly aware of or on the lookout for. There's of course work to be done but it's also ready to be sailed and enjoyed.
My wife is very new to this and tends to get motion sick. Hopefully she'll learn to enjoy it. Our seven year old son too, though I think he'll be an easier sell.
A few more photos for good measure.
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