M-38 for bluewater

[splendor]

I'm planning a cruising getaway (Atlantic Crossing...Med...back
to the Caribbean...???) and would appreciate any thoughtful
opinions as to the suitability of the M-38(2)(3)(4)
Personal experiences?....Modifications?
Thanks much
John

 

[jshepard]

<div>That's pretty much what we got ours for. About three months after we took delivery, I was approached on a fuel dock by a guy that told me, first that he thought the M382 was an attractive vessel, and second, a friend of his had bought one, sailed it to spain where he entered the columbus 500, finished well at the end, continued on thru the canal to arrive home in Sydney not too long before. As to the fitness of the boat, it depends on that specific vessel as to what it'll need, but as to the worthyness of the M38x, I think they speak for themselves.....Good luckBill
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[bbeach]

<div>I own hull 046, 1978 M382. I just crossed the Atlantic last summer/fall. It was my first blue water experience. The boat handled beautifully. I never once felt fear. The boat handled a downwind 40 kt winds with following seas from the island of Faial to Sao Miguel with no problem. Then again 7 days, I ran into a stationary low between the Azores and Portugal that I was hoping would have moved out, with 35+kts on the nose, 10ft seas with 25+ foot seas from the north. It was definitely rough sailing. The Morgan handled it just fine - so much so that I got more and more confident in her abilities. The deal is that they're older boats but with classic lines. I too always get compliments on her and that there's no way she could be 22 yrs old. Good maintenance, recent bedding of all deck fittings and thorough rigging inspection were key to the success of it all. I love my boat and can't wait to continue the journey through the Med starting in May. She's wintered in Rota, Spain as we speak.
Best of luck with your journey. I highly recommend these boats. Several of the guys on this board race their 38x's in blue water races and are great sources of info. It was really their testimonies that gave me that initial confidence, having never sailed blue water before.Best of luck.
Tony
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