John Butler
Member II
From 19' to 38'
Hi Rob,
I moved up to a 1982 E38 this winter after owning and sailing Lightnings (19' centerboard daysailor/racer) for many years. My previous big boat experience has been chartering and sailing with friends (including PO of the E38). I bought the boat in partnership with my significant other. She is not that interested in spending time doing maintenance (though has offered to help) and is not mechanically inclined. However, she's always ready to go for a sail or sleep aboard the boat (which probably helps to keep me from getting too bogged down with projects). I have a list of projects that I don't seem to make much headway on (even during these hot steamy summer days on the Chesapeake I find myself off doing other things like racing my Lightning in a regatta this past weekend). Up until this winter, the maintenance/upkeep of boat ownership meant replacing worn running rigging or sails as needed (and not often). Now I've got all these other things to worry about like an inboard diesel engine, prop & shaft, outboard dingy engine, fresh water system, AC electrical, DC electrical, head & holding tank, etc. (fortunately for me, the leaking fuel tank was discovered and replaced by the PO while the boat was on the market). None of the 4 Lightnings I've owned had had any of these things!
For me, I guess the key to enjoying my E38 is not to get too caught up in projects that can be put off when the opportunity to go for a sail presents itself. We enjoy the sailing ability of the E38 and time on the water (under sail or on the hook) is key to enjoying her. My advice to you is to see if you can get comfortable with your big E38 (other posts have offered suggestions on how to do this). As one of my Lightning friends says, there's nothing better than "stick time" (or in the case of an E38, "wheel time") for this. Also, I don't see anything wrong with using the E38 mostly for daysailing for now (so far, I've been out daysailing in mine more often than cruising). That can change in time. It seems you've already got a lot of sweat equity in your boat. That will be lost if you sell the boat, but will add to your enjoyment if you are able to get comfortable with her and find more time to get out on the water.
On the other hand, if your realistic appraisal is that you're not likely to get comfortable with sailing your E38, then of course you should downsize. You're not going to get out on the water enough if you're not comfortable being out there on your boat. I think most of us purchase sailboats primarily to get out on the water with them and not because we enjoy doing maintenance/upgrade projects on them (that is secondary).
For my own selfish reasons, I'd hate to see you sell your E38 because I'm sure you'll be a great resource for me as I slowly progress with my maintenance projects.
I wish you the best with whatever choice you make!
John
Hi Rob,
I moved up to a 1982 E38 this winter after owning and sailing Lightnings (19' centerboard daysailor/racer) for many years. My previous big boat experience has been chartering and sailing with friends (including PO of the E38). I bought the boat in partnership with my significant other. She is not that interested in spending time doing maintenance (though has offered to help) and is not mechanically inclined. However, she's always ready to go for a sail or sleep aboard the boat (which probably helps to keep me from getting too bogged down with projects). I have a list of projects that I don't seem to make much headway on (even during these hot steamy summer days on the Chesapeake I find myself off doing other things like racing my Lightning in a regatta this past weekend). Up until this winter, the maintenance/upkeep of boat ownership meant replacing worn running rigging or sails as needed (and not often). Now I've got all these other things to worry about like an inboard diesel engine, prop & shaft, outboard dingy engine, fresh water system, AC electrical, DC electrical, head & holding tank, etc. (fortunately for me, the leaking fuel tank was discovered and replaced by the PO while the boat was on the market). None of the 4 Lightnings I've owned had had any of these things!
For me, I guess the key to enjoying my E38 is not to get too caught up in projects that can be put off when the opportunity to go for a sail presents itself. We enjoy the sailing ability of the E38 and time on the water (under sail or on the hook) is key to enjoying her. My advice to you is to see if you can get comfortable with your big E38 (other posts have offered suggestions on how to do this). As one of my Lightning friends says, there's nothing better than "stick time" (or in the case of an E38, "wheel time") for this. Also, I don't see anything wrong with using the E38 mostly for daysailing for now (so far, I've been out daysailing in mine more often than cruising). That can change in time. It seems you've already got a lot of sweat equity in your boat. That will be lost if you sell the boat, but will add to your enjoyment if you are able to get comfortable with her and find more time to get out on the water.
On the other hand, if your realistic appraisal is that you're not likely to get comfortable with sailing your E38, then of course you should downsize. You're not going to get out on the water enough if you're not comfortable being out there on your boat. I think most of us purchase sailboats primarily to get out on the water with them and not because we enjoy doing maintenance/upgrade projects on them (that is secondary).
For my own selfish reasons, I'd hate to see you sell your E38 because I'm sure you'll be a great resource for me as I slowly progress with my maintenance projects.
I wish you the best with whatever choice you make!
John