Why the Downeaster 38 ? ~

I have loved the lines of this yacht since the first time my eyes laid upon her.

When I was a younger lad, growing up near water and hanging out in marinas, it became quite easy to notice certain boats and yachts with style. My father had a few boats over the years, none of which had any amount of style and grace. A good friend of mine once said... "life is to short to own an ugly boat" and I agree.

I recall walking the dock of BWB marina back in the day, and always noticing the 'Lily Kathleen'. A late 1970's classic, a Downeaster 38' Cutter. I was smitten from the start. I even remember doing some cleaning and varnish work on her once she came on the market. It wasn't until getting to ride along for a sea trial one day, helping Randy with a prospective buyer, that I realized how fond of the Downeaster I really was. It would be many years until another one came into my life.

I found my boat on Yachtworld.com.  I had been perusing the internet for small-ish crusing sailboats able to fit a nice small family aboard comfortably. Also I wanted and really needed something with the option to charter out. A boat with enough space and livability to carry a few paying passengers for a few days.  A double stateroom layout would be perfect! However, a 2 stateroom layout is hard to find in a boat under 40', and the cost of owning and maintaining a boat over 40' is silly! 38 feet of boat is plenty! Especially since I found a Downeaster 38' with an optional interior configuration and a 2 stateroom layout.  This is sort of a rare thing....

  Dimensions and specs for all Downeaster 38' rig types.

This is the line drawing of the Downeaster 38' Cutter with Sail Plan and standard interior.

Down East Yachts was the concept of Bob Poole, a Mainer who relocated in California to build boats. His first model was the Downeaster 38' which he contracted Newport resident and naval architect Henry Mohrschladt to design. It proved a successful design from its conception in 1975 and saw around 250 boats built until they closed in 1981.  Down East Yachts was located in Santa Ana, California and also built a few other models designed by Poole himself: the 32', 41' and 45' although the 38' was the only model designed by Morschladt and the more coveted design.  These 38's are certainly sought after boats and can be found all over the far reaches of  the globe.  

Original yacht plaque on our boat.  Lindita was #206 in production completed in May of 1979. 

I have no idea of how many owners shes had before us, but one things for sure, we'll be the proudest ones yet! She wont be the same boat once we set sail with her again!

As of now, we've owned the boat since September 2011, over 1 1/2 years!!!  and in my opinion were over half way through with our restoration.   Though many tough challenges lay ahead of us still, with every project completed, I've learned that much more. I'm very excited for the next couple seasons and the opportunity to take on new projects, bringing us that much closer to our goal...  Sailing away ~