I am working towards creation of a Downeaster Yachts book, for eventual physical sale.   There is no profit motive here, it is out of interest in our uniquely stylish sailboats.  There are a few hundred boats, no such intensive book project would ever return any profit.  This is a multi-year project for me, and anyone who wants to submit media.  

The internet is not what it seems.  Internet blogs or forums are very difficult to maintain due to AI spammers.  Entire blog companies have sold off and closed -- like the huge yahoo groups, all of the content was vaporized.  Great blogs were created by individuals in years past, then they disappear, even from the Internet Archive.  This forum disappeared for some time and now is back up.  Boats change hands and the new owners (including myself of course) need to scour various random sources to find relevant information.  Some forums are behind corrupt walled gardens (like Meta's Facebook).  

Of course I might be a bit biased towards DE32, since I have one, but, the Downeaster book will include all, DE32, DE38, DE45's.

Publishing a real book, yes, how retro.  Yet, can also be more permanent (print and PDF), and also a large physical format for great photo spreads.  

I am collecting sources from anyone who wants to contribute photos or articles.  Especially detailed refit photos.  I already have a thousand archived photos of various Downeasters, collected over the past decade+.

Hopefully this book project can be granted permission to quote postings from this forum.  Send me the link to your blogs, or others.   Send me a zip file or the database file of an entire web site, I will extract the media.  Old survey documents are a great source of info.  Old receipts from engine maintenance showing part replacement schedules.  etc, etc.  I will include my own certified marine surveys in the book.

I have the original Universal Diesel warrantee card as installed in S/V Oasis (built in 1979) from the launch in 1981, signed by the first owner.  That's pretty cool.  Hmm, is that warrantee card still valid?

One of my goals is to also include the design lines in the book.  Perhaps gaining rights to republish a spread of the original drawings.

First, I might work at republishing a new "original" Downeaster sales brochure, freshened up for 2027 (i.e. for next year), and send these out to current owners, for those interested.  All of the Downeasters were manufactured in Santa Ana, California.  Not too far from where I lived.  Yet all of that boatbuilding infrastructure is essentially gone now.  How long were the Downeasters supposed to last, 20 years?  It might turn out that the thick fiberglass will last for over 200 years.

The link to this project is my website 88proof.com/sail which also has my direct email info.  That link should be valid for the next several years at least. Or search the web for "jonathan oasis sailing".

Argyle38 said
Anyone know if Scott is still involved with this website? 

I emailed his listed address when the site was down, but the email bounced.  Now this site is up again, at least.  Forums these days are slammed with bots so it is easy to see why site maintenance is tough.  I am interested in a more long term solution though and I am going to start a new thread about publishing a Downeaster maintenance book which includes tons of information from various forums before those forums go down or disappear again.

Scott if you see this thread, post your opinion.

Universal Diesel 5424 Engine, Trans, etc, Complete and Working - $4,000

Hi Sailors. I have a fully running Universal Diesel 5424 ("M30") engine, complete system, FOR SALE. I am re-powering with a completely new system for my 32' Downeaster blue water sailboat. So I must pull and sell my existing setup. The engine is currently installed in the sailboat, which is in the water.

VIDEO OF THIS ENGINE RUNNING - https://youtu.be/j8b9_TrgmKU

The engine is the original installation in my sailboat, from Huntington Beach in 1981, by Boatswain's Locker, Inc. All parts are marine grade and highest quality for a blue water boat, for example Groco strainer, exhaust elbow, etc.

This is an electric start, 3 cyl. diesel which was later renamed Westerbeke "M30" for use in many Catalina Yachts, etc.

- Universal Diesel 5424 Engine (1981) = 24 HP, 3 cyl., electric start
- Lots of original documentation of parts and manuals
- Complete instrumentation panel (Tach, Batt, Fuel gauge, Water Temp, Oil Pressure)
- Bronze Groco ARG Raw water strainer
- Racor Fuel Filter
- Fuel/water separator filter
- Tall exhaust elbow, highly recommended for ocean voyaging
- Raw Water exhaust muffler
- Hurth Transmission
- 5 gal Fresh Water Hot Water Heater (120V AC and heat exchange engine heated)
- Heat Exchanger (clean!)
- Raw Water impeller pump
- Completely fresh rebuilt spare, Raw Water pump
- Diesel fuel lift pump (basic automotive grade)
- Various spare filters and belts: Oil Filter, Diesel Filter, Universal Belt, etc.
- Engine hours: 1,600 (actual hours is much much less, since engine hours tick up when ignition is on)

The engine starts right up!

The price listed indicates what I believe is a fair value, $4000 - $5000, for a fully working diesel system.

See the video of the engine running, https://youtu.be/j8b9_TrgmKU

Serious Buyer is invited to inspect the engine. Discuss with me the decommissioning and pulling the engine from the sailboat (marine yard, crane is available and close by). Crane cost might be $300-$400 for the pull. Bring your diesel mechanic. The engine can be pulled straight up through the companionway.

Contact me:  Leave reply on the youtube video.

(Maybe able to deliver or meet you up to 2 hours from Washington, NC. My foot is broken so it depends if my daughter wants to drive)

Contact sailordad46@suddenlink.net

1979 DE38. Hull number 209.

https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/downeaster-38/301612

http://downeasteryachts.com/th.....name-given

Lying Geelong, Australia.

Anyway, if anyone knows anything or if Scott see's this, let me know if you would like any help with the Facebook page.

Eric

S/V Argyle

I'm not a boat builder but I highly doubt any boats are built in two halves. However, the molds are definitely built in two halves and the seam you see is just the joining of the two halves of the molds. The molds are put together and the hull is built from the outside in, starting with mold release, then the gelcote, then the resin and fiberglass. When that's done the two halves of the mold are separated, releasing the bare hull. The seam down the middle is common on fiberglass boats.

-Argyle

I'm looking at buying this boat and if there was an issue in those 2 areas it would be cause for some cocern 

Thankx again....

1.) Is there a separate"shoe" that supports the rudder pintle at the bottom that is attached to the keel area and then covered over. I am seeing some cracks in this area that suggest that is the case. They run parallel to the bottom for about 18" then make a 90 degree bend toward the bottom. Anyone had this area apart?

2.) When these hulls are built are they done so in one continuous layup or is the hull built in half sections then joined together somehow? I am seeing a very clear line down the center of the keel bottom that is midpoint and straight as an arrow but not flush to each other but somewhat offset. What is going on here.

Thanks for any insight you can offer on this.

Greg

SV Isla Bonita

Bill 

Any advice would be appreciated.  Please reply to my e-mail.   Rogerhughes18@gmail.