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Looking for next boat

T

tphillips

Tom Phillips
<div>We are beginning the search for our next boat. At this time we have a CAL 31 which has been a good one for us but the family is out-growing it and our budget can handle something bigger (but not the new Valiant 42 we dream about).The M38 is the leader of our short list of likely candidates. They carry a good reputation for being a good design, well built. I also happen to think it's one of the prettiest boats on the water. I think most of the 38's are on the East Coast judging from the on-line boats for sale databases and the national sailing magazines. We're in Portland OR and I haven't seen any here on the Columbia River but we have located one in Seattle and will be going up there next week to take a look at it. The one we are looking at was built in 1979 and the listing broker doesn't' know if it's a 383, 383', etc. Can someone tell me what the year/model breakdown is? Also, if there is anything specific to look out for in a boat built in this year. I've read posts here and looked through the home page and have the notes regarding rudders and bulkheads. Also, I've tried the find the article in Sailing Magazine (March 96) that reviewed the boat but my local libraries don't carry them. If someone has it and could copy and send it I'd appreciate it.We're currently in the "moderate search" phase. I've put a lot of work into the CAL and it's now in good shape so we plan to play with it this summer and get serious about a boat change this fall. Any advice or suggestions about the Morgan would be appreciated.Thanks,
Nick
We are beginning the search for our next boat. At this time we have a CAL 31 which has been a good one for us but the family is out-growing it and our budget can handle something bigger (but not the new Valiant 42 we dream about).The M38 is the leader of our short list of likely candidates. They carry a good reputation for being a good design, well built. I also happen to think it's one of the prettiest boats on the water. I think most of the 38's are on the East Coast judging from the on-line boats for sale databases and the national sailing magazines. We're in Portland OR and I haven't seen any here on the Columbia River but we have located one in Seattle and will be going up there next week to take a look at it. The one we are looking at was built in 1979 and the listing broker doesn't' know if it's a 383, 383', etc. Can someone tell me what the year/model breakdown is? Also, if there is anything specific to look out for in a boat built in this year. I've read posts here and looked through the home page and have the notes regarding rudders and bulkheads. Also, I've tried the find the article in Sailing Magazine (March 96) that reviewed the boat but my local libraries don't carry them. If someone has it and could copy and send it I'd appreciate it.We're currently in the "moderate search" phase. I've put a lot of work into the CAL and it's now in good shape so we plan to play with it this summer and get serious about a boat change this fall. Any advice or suggestions about the Morgan would be appreciated.Thanks,
Nick

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<div>Practical Sailor has a good write-up on both the Charlie Morgan 38 & the 382/3/4. They were impressed with both boats. I just went thru what you are going thru now. I narrowed my choices to a Tartan 37 & the Morgan 382/3/4 both have their merits. The Morgan has supprised me in a number of ways. First, her light air performance was much better than I expected. Second, she goes to weather much better than I expected with as wide a spreader base as she has. I sailed a Ranger 29 for 14 years (the Ranger was built by the same people as your Cal) prior to the Morgan. The Morgan will do as well to weather as the Ranger and the Ranger was a good sailing boat. Third, after re-tuning the rig she tracks very well, better than expected. On the down side she reacts much shower to the helm on a reach - to weather it is acceptable but reaching it is slow. Under motor no problem. One last comment. The Morgan is very well finished below but that too has a down side. It makes it difficult to install new systems because access to dead space to route wires, plumming, etc. is not easy.Vic C.PS. So far I am pleased with my choice. Would I make the same choice again? Absolutely. The boat is a great compromise.
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<div>There are at least 2 Morgan 38's for sale in the the San
Francisco Bay area and at least one in southern Cal. The
boat is an ideal boat for one or two people to handle anywhere and safely. I have both reviews and can send them
in a few days. As you can see from this Web site, we Morgan
owners love our boats. I have sailed our 382, Maluhia, to
Southern Mexico, into the Sea of Cortez and home again.
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Have owned my Morgan 382 since 1978 and have been very happy with her. Vixen has done the 89,91,93,and95 Marion Bermuda races. We have always finshed in the lower half of the fleet but the boat has performed well with no problems. In 1991 we had horrible conditions both ways- wind over 60 knots and seas over 3
seas over 30 down and a tropical storm on the return. No problems and all were safe.
The bulkheah in question is the aft in the head
and morgan-beatrice repaired, I have redone mine.
 
<div>
Jim-
Thanks very much for your offer to send the write-ups.
My address is:18977 Walling Circle
West Linn, OR 97068Nick
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We have sailed our 1978 M-382 "Dana" on Long Island Sound for 11 years now. When our two sons and the dog out grew our 27 footer it was the best choice we could have made. For the money it's a very well built boat. And at the price of a new boat in todays market, the M-38 is a very good deal.
A couple of the modifications we have added along the way have been a teak dish rack over the galley sink and counter which divides the cabin nicely and provides a strong coluum to hold on to. The kerosene stove was replaced with propane, the smell and flare-ups with the kero were too much to take. Last year we installed an anchor windlass on the deck to handle the plow anchor and an all chain rode. This year we converted the v-bunk which was originally an over and under arrangement, (great for kids), to a single bunk as our kids no longer sail with us.
"Dana" has the original Yanmar 33hp engine which has not given us any problems. I understand that a 50hp Perkins was also available on the early models. It would be nice to have that extra hp in a blow but the Yanmar has taken us everywhere we needed to go.
Please contact us if we can answer any questions.
 
<div>The responses to my request have been great. Particular thanks to Jim McEntyre for his detailed e-mails telling his acquisition story and things to look for in our next boat. Just one question though... can't anyone find anything bad to say about their boats? Based on the fact that everyone seems to love them I'm a little fearful that we are going to look at one this weekend. What if I fall in love with it like you all have with your boats? Again, thanks for all the input. The weather here in Portland, OR is starting to turn toward spring. Yesterday was high 60's and sunny with a northwest (summer type) breeze. Have fun on the water.Nick

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Look for a boat that has been taken care of and you are willing to spend time and money on; you can't go wrong with a '78-84 Morgan 38.............
 
<div>NickAt this web site it would be hard to find someone to pass a negitive thought. Of course if the M-38's weren't good boats, most of us wouldn't have owned then for all these years. They may not be the fastest on the water but you would be hard pressed to find a more comfortable cruising boat for the money.
Good luck in your search.Jim

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The truth about boat shopping is that, all forms of rational analysis aside, when you find the right boat you'll know it. Seeing my M382 for the first time is just like when I first met my wife to be, I couldn't take my eyes off her and and could not imagine going through another day without her. I can stand on the dock for hours just gazing at "Dual Will", not really able to take my eyes off the curve of her shear.
Enjoy the process and ultimately "the" boat when you find her.
 
Dear Nick-
We have an 82 Morgan 383 here on San Francisco Bay which we intend to put on the market within the next few months. We sailed her through the Bahamas and up the east coast of the US last year, and then trucked her to the Bay. "Ithaki" has a lot of custom modifications, is loaded with cruising gear, and is in great shape. Please feel free to e-mail me if you're still looking for a boat, and I can fax you a complete description of the boat and her gear. Thanks,
-Colin Paul (cpaul@bart.dst.ca.us)
 
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