'Charisma', a Downeaster 38 Sailboat for Sale

'Charisma', a Downeaster 38 cutter, is a beautiful full-keeled bluewater cruiser. Although easily handled by a cruising couple she will sleep six in comfort - she's wonderful to sail and is ready to take you anywhere.

'Charisma' is currently berthed in Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, California.

'Charisma', a Downeaster 38

Designed by Henry Morschladt, the Downeaster 38 is a straightforward, common-sense sailboat that will evoke a nostalgic twinge in those who remember what sailboats used to look like.

Downeaster 38 Standard Features:

'Charisma's cutter rig

Specs & Sailplan

Length overall: 41'9"
Length on deck: 38'0"
Waterline length: 29'0"
Beam: 11'10"
Draft: 4'11"
Displacement: 19,500lbs
Ballast: 8,000lbs

The ballast displacement ratio of 41%, together with the large beam, means that the Downeaster 38 will stay on her feet despite a shoal draft of just under five feet.

But the sailplan is rather on the scant side, which means that the Downeaster 38 is no ocean greyhound, but for many of us a friendly shaggy dog makes the better companion - and for such people the Downeaster 38 may very well be the right sailboat.

The interior of the Downeaster 38 is conventional in outline and well thought-out in detail:

The forward cabin sports a double berth.

The starboard side of the main cabin has a pilot berth outboard of a settee and the port side can be arranged either in the same way or with a settee that converts to a double with a shelf over it.

The galley has a double sink near the centerline, a desirable feature, and opposite is a fixed chart table and a quarter berth.

Construction specifications are high, with the laminate to Lloyd’s requirements.

Seacocks are on all through-hull fittings below the waterline, a steel back-bone in the rudder, and so forth.

Sand set in a polyurethane adhesive is used for nonskid deck surfaces in place of the customary molded patterns that are invariably slippery when wet.

'Charisma's Fixtures & Fittings include:

The engine is a 32 HP Universal M40 diesel with an easy freshwater flush system and provision for hand-starting in an emergency.

There are centerline tanks holding 90 gallons fuel and 100 gallons of water.

Garhauer deck hardware includes the boom vang, mainsheet traveler, outboard engine hoist and custom mast for D400 wind generator.

'Charisma' has two banks of Rolls 375AH batteries and an Analytic Battery Charger.

There's also a Scanmar Monitor windvane self-steering gear, plus a tiller-mount autopilot by Raymarine.

All canvas is in like-new condition.

Sails new in 2015 include the headsail, mainsail and spinnaker - the older staysail is in great condition. The headsail is on a Profurl reefing/furling system.

The mainsheet traveller on a Downeaster 38 sailboat

The mainsheet traveller is mounted ahead of the main hatch, leaving the cockpit clear.

The forward end of a Downeaster 38 sailboat

Plenty of natural ventilation is provided by the ports, all of which are opening with custom closure window coverings screened for complete through-flow ventilation.