Downeast 38 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Downeaster 38 means weighing a 1970s-vintage fiberglass cruiser conceived by Bob Poole and designed by Henry Morschladt, built by Down East Yachts with a Lloyd's-spec laminate and encapsulated lead ballast. These are boats meant for distance, not dock queens, and the brokerage stock reflects that heritage of self-sufficient cruising.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Downeaster 38 carries a 29-foot waterline and near-12-foot beam, with a forward double berth and a main cabin whose starboard side has a pilot berth outboard of a settee. The port side varies: some boats keep the pilot-berth arrangement, others use a convertible settee with a shelf overhead. A centerline double sink anchors the galley, and opposite sits a fixed chart table with a quarter berth. Three rigs exist — cutter, ketch, schooner Three rigs are available: cutter, ketch, and schooner. — so a buyer should confirm which is on the specific hull, as sail-handling and mast count change the boat's character.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, chartplotters, air conditioning, solar, inverters, and autopilots are commonly fitted, which together mean a buyer can expect modern navigation and climate comfort without immediate outlay. Often-seen additions include asymmetric spinnakers, dinghy davits, and radar, pointing to shorthanded sailing and extended anchoring. Less common owner upgrades run to watermakers, heating, wind generators, and AIS — worth noting if a particular boat lacks them and your plans require independence from shore services.
What to Inspect
The original aluminum fuel tank sits in a damp keel cavity where trapped bilge water can cause external corrosion, and replacement is a major job involving cabinetry and engine movement. Confirm the through-hull seacocks are present and serviceable, as the design specifies them on all below-waterline fittings Seacocks on all through-hull fittings below the waterline.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Downeaster 38s typically appear in the United States, Panama, Greece, and Malaysia. For a buyer, the checklist is straightforward: verify rig type and berth layout, confirm the fuel tank history, test seacocks, and assess overall condition. Boats with commonly fitted power and navigation gear need less immediate investment; those lacking watermaker or heating are simply less equipped for cold or long autonomous cruising.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Downeast 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 9 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $50,000 | — |
| Jul 25 | 2 | $43,750 | -12.5% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $53,786 | +22.9% |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $24,000 | -55.4% |
| Feb 26 | 4 | $30,000 | +25.0% |
| Apr 26 | 3 | $30,000 | 0.0% |
| May 26 | 5 | $47,900 | +59.7% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $24,000 | -49.9% |
| Sep 26 | 1 | $49,900 | +107.9% |
Where they're listed
Downeast 38 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 12 (80.0%), followed by Panama.
Country view
15 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $27,000 | 12 | 2 | 80.0% |
| Panama | $30,000 | 3 | 0 | 20.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 38 | 38' | $ 99,000 | 58 | 12 |
| Downeast 38You are here | — | $ 30,000 | 16 | 2 |
| Shannon 38 | 37.75' | $ 69,000 | 15 | 8 |
| Kadey-Krogen 38 | 38.16' | $ 74,900 | 9 | 0 |
| Downeast 38 Cutter | 38' | $ 35,000 | 5 | 0 |
| Morgan 38 | 37.67' | $ 69,000 | 5 | 1 |
| LeComte 38-1 | 38.25' | $ 42,900 | 2 | 0 |