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Too many choices....

Christian Sava

Christian Sava

New Member
Hi all,

I'm brand new to this owner site and my recent (as of about 2 weeks) interest in all things Morgan 38 2/3/4 has found me here. I have to say there exists a wealth of information and for that I am grateful. Having owned/sailed many boats throughout the course of the last 20 years or so, I once again find myself obsessed with getting back into a larger cruiser. My current vessel is a 1968 19 foot Bristol Corinthian (which I'll probably never sell), but my need for venturing further and longer has become stronger.
I most previously owned a 1986 Hunter 34, and although roomy, I never did fall in love with her lines nor her sailing characteristics and sailed her back from Maine and promptly sold her.
I am really beginning to appreciate what I see out of the Morgan 38. Beautiful lines, enough room down below and well constructed. I find myself leaning towards either the 383 or 384, but just need to find the right boat.
Can any, or all of you point me in the right direction related to what exactly to look out for? I know there must exist some known deficiencies in these models, but knowing what is allowed and what is clearly something to steer away from only comes from knowledgeable owners like you. Any help, offers of encouragement, etc., will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Christian Sava
Newburyport, MA
 
Hi Christian, and welcome aboard!
There was a fairly recent thread with similar questions to what you're asking:

http://www.morgan38.org/morgan38/in...ering-382-purchase-couple-of-questions.14902/

In reading through it, it could easily scare someone off ... I've got to say that we haven't had any of the problems listed. We've just had the things you would expect from a 30+ year old boat. The thread has some excellent points on things to watch out for and/or to have your surveyor be on the lookout.

Cheers,
-Mark
 
Well, that's reassuring to hear. I have no problem buying an older, "classy" lady, I just wondered if there were any signature Morgan 38 issues to be on the look out for. Doesn't really seem like there exist a bunch of common, known problems. That's a good start to say the least.
Thanks for your reply. Now to find a good, clean, close and affordable vessel. This sight has been VERY helpful to say the least!

Cheers,

Christian
 
Christian
The main difference between the 382 and the 383/384 is the 383/384 has a 4' taller rig and the main sheet traveler on the cabin top. The 382 has the traveler in front of the wheel. It is very easy to singlehand the 382 with all the controls at the helm. The 383/384 not so much. If you are planning to cruise the ICW, there are two bridges, Cape May Canal and just north of Miami, that are 55'. The 382 can clear those spans. All three version sail equally well.

Jim
 
That's helpful to know Jim, thank you. I had a 1986 Hunter 34 that had the mainsheet traveller on the cabin top. Interesting to say the least when single handing and have a cockpit full of non sailing drinkers. That was one of my concerns in looking at the 383/4. I like to have everything in easy reach from the helm. Any known construction deficiencies that are inherent in the 382 and not the others? Also, how tender are these boats? My Hunter with its tall Seldon mast and swept back airfoil spreaders was easily overpowered at 15-17kts unless you tucked a reef in the main. I liked the look and pedigree of the Alberg 37's, until I learned that she likes to heel over to at least 15 degrees before she hunkers down and starts to sail. I personally love that, but know that my wife and kids, not so much.
 
Christian, on our 384 the main sheet and traveller controls are led to the cockpit. No problems operating them single handed. And having the traveller up on deck frees up a lot of space in the cockpit, in my opinion. Leaving more room for non sailing drinkers ;-)
 
I suppose we do need to support our non sailing brethren (even if they do drink underway), and it's good to know there is an option to avoid tripping over them to trim or quickly de-power the main if the situation dictates. Thanks for post Mark.
 
Mark - I noticed on your blog that you sailed Thailand. We just chartered a Junneau 42 out of Ao Po Marina on Phuket for a week bareboating this past November. Fantastic trip!
 
I have c Bare boat charted a Junneau 42 in the BVI for 10 days. 30 year old boat she was great !
Our Ted Brewer Morgans are not light Hunters , the 384 is a heavy girl , but when she sees wind she gets up and sails. the wind has to be very hard and you have to work very hard to get that rail wet !
Its a very Safe boat ! Lee M 384 1982
 
That's good to hear Lee. The last boat I want to get involved with is another tender, easily overpowered one. The Hunter had a well designed interior, but lacked any of the classic looks and sailing qualities that it appears the Morgans possess. We have two children (13, 10) and although most our sailing will be throughout New England to include Maine, and the Cape and Islands to Boston, I really want to own a boat that I can feel confident taking further....
 
Here is my Hunter tail . Many years ago there was this couple who purchased a 30 year old hunter 38 , Now Hunters are Florida built the Origional designs 70 and early 80 vintage were good seaworthy boats.I had the chance to sail that boat,.At the time i had a 28 Sabre. I was very impressed.. Now Im a Sailing instructor Taught in ST Pete for the Red Cross 12 years. This boat opened my eyes to longer trips other than day sailing. and more trips to the BVI to go big boat sailing !
Now when the old man in charge of Hunter died his kids took over and totally changed the way there boats were built. Now they were lighter, cheeper to build . I have a fried with a 32 and the hull oil cans so bad he can't keep water in his head. ! Its a beautiful boat , looks like a condo inside. ! He uses a 4 inch PVC shoved under the head to stop the hull flex under the head.
What he needs is a Morgan !
 
Ha! Interesting point for sure. Since mine was a mid 80's model, I avoided the complete re-do (aesthetically unappealing) of the later models. She was a great light air boat, but not so in heavier air. I loved the 'down below' layout, especially the private, enclosed quarter berth, but really how much time is spent down there? She was reliable and took us through a lot of unsavory weather and her little Yanmar 3GM30F never gave us a minutes trouble. I'm still ready for a Morgan!
 
Christian...

You say "I really want to own a boat that I can feel confident taking further...."

In that case, you *will* be spending a good deal of time "down there," and for long trips the 'down-below layout' is every bit as important as the topsides layout.

I addressed this issue at length (perhaps too much length!) in a post in the "Seaworthiness" thread....

Cheers!

Chris
 
You tube " Sailing WindRose " by drummer call this is my wives Go pro video . There is a better one by John Harrison and his drone , The Morgan 38 sailing full sail, in clearwater fl !!
 
Hey Chris,

Thanks for the reply. I primarily meant the enclosed quarter berth when referring to "down below". Interior room and space is certainly important, but I felt that point alone was my previous Hunter's unique attribute. I will certainly check out the Youtube video of WindRose, Lee. Thanks!
 
Christian
If you are going to be single handing, even with a cockpit full of crew, then you seriously need to look at a 382. Getting to the main sheet controls on the cabintop with a full cockpit means climbing over people.

Jim
 
Hey Jim - Thanks for the input. I am learning from more and more owners, however, that they have lead their controls aft to the cockpit in easy reach of the helmsman. That sounds like a win-win.
 
Christian, I have a sailing friend who was in the Navy. He sails a 34' Lancer. Pretty quick fin keel performance/cruiser. A Big J-24. He came aboard my Morgan. It didn't heel under his weight like his (and some hunters?). He liked the 6" bulwarks too. He said "It feels like a ship". Well, 6000# of lead & a 12' beam will do that. Feather up to wind a bit in the puffs and you won't have to touch the mainsheet regardless of where it is. But I take a wrap on the open primary winch in the real snotty stuff. I sail a 383. If you sail it heeled with the deck awash you're giving away a knot+ of speed. Flater is faster.

These boats are approaching 40 yrs old. Some will need major refitting. You can buy a cheaper one that needs to be re-done or pay more for one that's been loved and updated. Places to look for trouble...Leaky OEM ports and resultant damage to bulkheads, chainplates/ delaminated tabbing near mast step / delam'd tabbing in the bilge from improper blocking. No fatal flaws in my book. Otherwise just the normal 40 year old boat stuff. They're pretty tough IMHO. Take you anywhere. I feel safe in mine. Dave.
 
Hello Dave,

Thanks alot for the reply to my thread as that's very helpful. Every boat I look at (at least on Yachtworld), keeps bringing me back to the Morgans. I like the lines, the build, the room and the reputation. I really want a boat that is reliable and stable. I use to think fast was the only way to go. Not so much anymore, but have to admit that any other sailboat on the horizon presents a race.
Cosmetic stuff I don't worry about. It's the structural issues that cause me to run away, lke most people. It is interesting to see the broad range of asking prices, however, regardless of year or model. Anywhere from the high 50's to the mid 30's seem to be the range. It would be really tough for me to even entertain the thought of paying near the 50's, however, for a boat approaching 40 years old that doesn't seem to have the reputation or value sustaining longevity of other, more sought after builds.

Thanks Dave!
 
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