• Welcome to this website/forum for people interested in the Morgan 38 Sailboat. Many of our members are 'owners' of Morgan 38s, but you don't need to be an owner to Register/Join.

Well... I went ahead and did it. New owner 1970 38' Morgan

caveman

New Member
Hello fellow Morganers(?)! I'm headed back home after the first few days with my new project. I left her at this great little marina in Port Isabel, TX where she was berthed (I really dont miss the heat and humidity at the moment, but the beach being a stones throw is a nice perk). It was kinda hard to leave, although I can't quite stay in her yet. There is a sister ship right in front of her that is a real beauty!

Afterglow is hull number 21 I'm guessing by the documentation, M3821. I'm not quite sure where to read it on the vessel itself. She is really in need of some love. She has been repowered with a 35 HP 4 cyl Kubota that purrs like a kitten! Ok, more like a tiger, but it runs great. Supposedly a 2011 with 10 hours on it! Really in need of paint and woodwork... the works. Standing rigging, aside from the blue oxidation on the hard stuff, looks in great shape. The cable is clean and bright. I was able to get all of her running lights working after a little wiggling and replacing a bulb or two. Sails need cleaning and repair but appear serviceable.

Interior wise it's going to be quite a bit of work. Rotten wood, mildew, and mold abound but bleach (gasp!) seems to be working. Shop vac is getting lots of work. It has an updated head and new macerator (last year). Water is not working, but I have a brand new pump the owner gave me to install... looks like fittings and hose need to be replaced. The cushions are quite outstanding and seem a bit out of place. I feel I got a good deal as the motor, cushions, and lead in the keel are probably worth what I paid for her.

I'm excited and terrified at the same time!

I will be hauling her out soon for a new rudder seal, bottom job, zincs, check/replace cutlass bearing, take a look at centerboard (its wedged and sheave looks really corroded), check/replace thru hulls, and a quality survey.

Interesting things found:
- An old EPIRB (do these things "go bad" or can the be serviced"?)
- Some kind of blue metal box in the engine room with an LCD gauge/readout with a bunch of hoses coming/going (a watermaker???!)
- A dried, ugly, musty mess under the sink that was probably the cause of the need to replace head (barf).

So... what is the first item I purchase/upgrade for this thing? (I'm thinking a handheld radio)
Where do I lurk to get tips on refurbishing/renovating this beast? (What is your favorite?)
What else should I check/do on this haulout?
What the heck have I gotten myself in to?!

Fair winds,

Brice
 
Congratulations Brice. Hope you have many years of good times on your new boat. And don't be daunted by all the work. Just take it one project a time. You'll never be finished but that's true with all boats.
Ken
 
Yes, Congratulations. What Ken said, it will NEVER end. But it will be mostly enjoyable.
Might we see some pictures too?
This forum is probably one of the best owners forums of any type I have been involved in. Stick around, you're guaranteed to learn with all the knowledge that flows so freely here.
Mitchell
 
Sure, Mitchell!!
She needs work, but she has good bones.

I'll attach a couple here!
 

Attachments

  • 20200630_190508.jpg
    20200630_190508.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 287
  • 20200703_094931.jpg
    20200703_094931.jpg
    2.8 MB · Views: 325
  • 20200703_095020.jpg
    20200703_095020.jpg
    1,008.9 KB · Views: 293
  • 20200630_190539.jpg
    20200630_190539.jpg
    660.1 KB · Views: 299
  • 20200703_094910.jpg
    20200703_094910.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 307
Yes, As Jim said. Looking good. From what I can see, she looks like she can be brought back to "Bristol" condition with elbow grease and $$. And these are great boats, built well for the most part. Tough old gals.
Mitchell
 
Does she have the swing keel ? Looks good. usually solid and unusually thick hull.
Yes. Swing keel. Centerboard issues still being resolved but many other bigger fish to fry. Need to get her insides to stay dry (toe rail and stanchions, other penetrations are all leaking like crazy). Have done a lot of work so far though.

Need to work on main and maybe take her out for her first sail (with me) next weekend! Have motored her back and forth to haul out and a sunset cruise so far. Just replaced cables and new integrated gear/throttle... need to test it out a bit :)
 
Does she have the swing keel ? Looks good. usually solid and unusually thick hull.

Looks like you have the same boat... I have a sister ship parked in front of me, too. Much nicer. What have you done to yours since purchase? I'm looking for dodger/bimini ideas and thoughts. Thinking about getting a cheap longer bimini, then sailing her a bit while working on other items before I get the expensive one. I could splurge now, but thinking of stripping deck hardware and painting first (stopping leaks *and* looking nicer)
 
for ours. Engine was seized. Replaced with a rebuild 4-107.
then tornado ripped the forward hatch off and broke a lower stay.
Built a new forward hatch from 1/2 inch Lexan and wood. Replaced the lower stays.
Installed updated electrical panel and rewired most of the house power.
Installed LED for nav lights.
Replaced plexi in the wide windows over galley and nav.
Rebedding those windows was not hard but took a LOT longer then I thought it would.

Always more to do on a boat.
 
for ours. Engine was seized. Replaced with a rebuild 4-107.
then tornado ripped the forward hatch off and broke a lower stay.
Built a new forward hatch from 1/2 inch Lexan and wood. Replaced the lower stays.
Installed updated electrical panel and rewired most of the house power.
Installed LED for nav lights.
Replaced plexi in the wide windows over galley and nav.
Rebedding those windows was not hard but took a LOT longer then I thought it would.

Always more to do on a boat.

Sorry to hear about the tornado. Glad it wasn't worse.

I need to replace those long windows, myself. They have some sort of solar film on them that is peeled and torn. Both are leaking a bit.
 
Back
Top