Downeast 38 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Approximate drawing

Hover a measurement to read its value

LOA
38' · 11.58 m

The Downeaster 38, designed by Henry Mohrschladt and produced by Robert Poole’s Down East Yachts Inc., remains a definitive example of the "traditional" cruising aesthetic that swept the American West Coast in the 1970s. Characterized by its clipper bow, decorative trailboards, and wineglass transom, the 38 was built to offer more than just a nostalgic profile; it was engineered as a heavydisplacement, fullkeeled offshore voyager. With over 250 hulls produced between 1974 and 1981, it bridged the gap between the rugged, often cramped "doubleenders" of the era and the more spacious, beamier cruisers that followed. The design’s pedigree is notable, as Mohrschladt would later go on to cofound Pacific Seacraft, a builder synonymous with highend bluewater cruising excellence.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 43,750
Ask, not sold · 14 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
4
14 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
+14.2%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
4
United States (64.3%) · Panama (21.4%) · Greece (7.1%)

Recent Listings

13 for sale · sampled 10 newest

Where they're listed

Downeast 38 listings span 4 countries. United States leads with 9 listings (64.3%), followed by Panama and Greece.

Median ask by country
USD · past 12 months
Share of listings
Count · past 12 months

Country breakdown

14 listings · 4 countries
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United States$ 50,0009364.3%
Panama$ 35,0003121.4%
Greece$ 55,847107.1%
Malaysia$ 45,000107.1%

Comparable models

Similar length overall, displacement, and era. Click a row to jump to that model's market page.

Peer cross-shop

11 designs · same segment
ModelLOAMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 d
Island Packet 3838'$ 102,0003819
Cape Dory 3636.12'$ 44,5002713
Hallberg-Rassy 3837.96'$ 78,7562612
Downeast 38You are here$ 43,750144
Shannon 3837.75'$ 64,950132
Downeast 38 Cutter38'$ 39,000116
Laurent Giles 3838.83'$ 54,155104
Cape Dory 3333.04'$ 30,00084
Kadey-Krogen 3838.16'$ 77,40066
Morgan 3837.67'$ 44,97555
Endurance 3837'$ 87,26153

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Downeast 38 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Downeast 38 over the past 12 months is $43,750. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Downeast 38 sailboats are for sale?+
4 Downeast 38 listings have gone live in the last 90 days, and 14 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Downeast 38 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Downeast 38 has increased by 14.2% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month median.
04Where are Downeast 38 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Downeast 38 listings over the past 12 months are United States (64.3%), Panama (21.4%), Greece (7.1%).
05Do Downeast 38 listings get price reductions?+
About 20% of Downeast 38 listings have had a price reduction, with an average discount of 26.3% off the original ask. A listing that has been on the market more than 90 days without a reduction usually signals the seller isn't motivated.
06What should I look at instead of a Downeast 38?+
Comparable models include Island Packet 38, Cape Dory 36, Hallberg-Rassy 38. See the peer cross-shop table above for pricing and availability.