Another thread back from the dead!
Well, here I am, almost 4 years into owning "Ruby" my E38. I am still quite happy with her although she can be a demanding mistress when it comes to time and funds.
Would I do it again? Probably, I'm a glutton for punishment! There have been many excellent times had on her as well as some screaming disappointments and lots more work than expected. I have raced her and she did reasonably well but after two seasons I am finding racing wears the boat, it wears the sails. IMHO, an E38 is much more of a cruiser than a racer, at least mine is, and I don't really want to beat the crap out of her just for bragging rights. At this point I would have to spend money and a lot more of it to be competitive. No ROI in that.
Actually to better enjoy my sailboat I'm about to make her a better motorboat. All too often I have found myself against a current, failing wind, setting sun, etc. and have had to motor to get where I am going. A two blade fixed prop sucks for this. It also sucks in reverse. The cockpit is very comfortable under sail, with a bit of heel. Under power and dead level, not so much. Crappy forward visibility in all seating positions, the dodger glass is getting tired and the dodger itself needs to be about two inches taller. My skin cannot take the full intensity of the sun anymore, I need a bimini, especially when motoring in dead, stale air at 2pm in August. So here is the list for winter work:
1. New 3 blade feathering Variprofile prop, better under power AND sail
2. PSS shaft seal
3. Bimini
4. Rework dodger a bit taller and do a solid hardtop for it.
5. Remove pushpit and have aft rail seats added ala Catalina
7. Upgrade engine room sound insulation.
8. New main salon hatch.
9, Spartite!
I may also tackle replacing the headliner. I cannot stand not being able to access the deck hardware backing plates or chase the leak I currently have.
So there you go! If this all makes the boat more enjoyable when sailing is not great, like it was most of this season, money well spent.
RT