I don't know about the bilge access but if you buy one of those you better not be in a hurry to get anywhere.
They are handsome boats but notoriously slow.
They are handsome boats but notoriously slow.
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Downeaster 38 bilge access
Hello. I am researching various boats and there is a '79 Downeaster 38 that I like. I have not seen one in person thus far. One thing about these boats I have read in several places is the access to the bilge is not very good... one small floorboard forward and another further aft. This seems odd for a full keeler. Am I wrong?
That said, nobody seems to address the why. Is the floorpan too structural to allow for better access? Are freshwater/blackwater/fuel tanks in the way for some reason? Has anyone who owns one opened up better access to the bilge?
It seems like a rather large place for too many stray things to collect and/or a waste of a storage opportunity.
Cheers,
Maxx
That said, nobody seems to address the why. Is the floorpan too structural to allow for better access? Are freshwater/blackwater/fuel tanks in the way for some reason? Has anyone who owns one opened up better access to the bilge?
It seems like a rather large place for too many stray things to collect and/or a waste of a storage opportunity.
Cheers,
Maxx
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
And with a miserably rolly motion and a lot of weather helm.I don't know about the bilge access but if you buy one of those you better not be in a hurry to get anywhere.
They are handsome boats but notoriously slow.
Jeff
As the owner of a Downeaster who has sailed over 1000 miles the first year of sailing it
I take these other comments as a load of ****e
There is no rolly motion under sail unless you are sailing with a off balance load with improper sail trim
Or only using the motor to go everywhere in heavy seas
The 38 &32 models do have bilge access under the galley sink
It is a huge deep bilge
Put the bilge pump on a board and lower it down or lift it out when needed
The 41& 45 have a engine mounted above a huge bilge 6’x13’ by 8’ deep with center cockpit or pilothouse design above the engine
I love my pilothouse makes the arm chair sailors angry cause they have to wear full foulies and get a leather face from the wind and sun
It’s not a race boat because it’s 16000 + lbs and a full keel
Tell me.. when the wind is 40 knots and seas over 15-20+ and short duration
Do you want a pile of **** production boat that will falter ?
Or a tank that’s gonna keep you safe?
I have hit 13.2 bare poles in the nasty and I wasn’t scared because the boat rocks the heavy conditions that would keep others day sailing the rest of their life
I take these other comments as a load of ****e
There is no rolly motion under sail unless you are sailing with a off balance load with improper sail trim
Or only using the motor to go everywhere in heavy seas
The 38 &32 models do have bilge access under the galley sink
It is a huge deep bilge
Put the bilge pump on a board and lower it down or lift it out when needed
The 41& 45 have a engine mounted above a huge bilge 6’x13’ by 8’ deep with center cockpit or pilothouse design above the engine
I love my pilothouse makes the arm chair sailors angry cause they have to wear full foulies and get a leather face from the wind and sun
It’s not a race boat because it’s 16000 + lbs and a full keel
Tell me.. when the wind is 40 knots and seas over 15-20+ and short duration
Do you want a pile of **** production boat that will falter ?
Or a tank that’s gonna keep you safe?
I have hit 13.2 bare poles in the nasty and I wasn’t scared because the boat rocks the heavy conditions that would keep others day sailing the rest of their life
Not the type of boat you'd really want on the Chesapeake with its light winds. However you like it so that's great.As the owner of a Downeaster who has sailed over 1000 miles the first year of sailing it
I take these other comments as a load of ****e
There is no rolly motion under sail unless you are sailing with a off balance load with improper sail trim
Or only using the motor to go everywhere in heavy seas
The 38 &32 models do have bilge access under the galley sink
It is a huge deep bilge
Put the bilge pump on a board and lower it down or lift it out when needed
The 41& 45 have a engine mounted above a huge bilge 6'x13' by 8' deep with center cockpit or pilothouse design above the engine
I love my pilothouse makes the arm chair sailors angry cause they have to wear full foulies and get a leather face from the wind and sun
It's not a race boat because it's 16000 + lbs and a full keel
Tell me.. when the wind is 40 knots and seas over 15-20+ and short duration
Do you want a pile of **** production boat that will falter ?
Or a tank that's gonna keep you safe?
I have hit 13.2 bare poles in the nasty and I wasn't scared because the boat rocks the heavy conditions that would keep others day sailing the rest of their life
Our Haleakula is about 14,000 lbs but is not held by the full keel In terms of light air performance.
BTW we aren't day sailors and have done plenty of Coastal sailing up the coast to NE
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
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