I purchased this boat in March, 2008, from the Sea Scouts in Portland, OR. She had been moved her here from southern California
7-8 years ago by the original owner. Due to health reasons of the owner, she had been neglected during that time and eventually donated to the Sea Scouts. After cruising in Mexico and the Pacific Northwest with my smaller boat, a ComPac 23D http://svnutmeg.blogspot.com/ , I had need for a larger and more seaworthy craft.
Downeast (also known as Down Easter) of Santa Ana, CA, made very stout cruising boats during the late 1970s to early 1980s. The 32' cutter was the smallest of their fleet and a number of these have circumnavigated. I have read that they were originally designed for the California-Hawaii charter trade.
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I had been looking for an older offshore cruising boat that I could actually afford as a project boat for my pending retirement. She is definitely a 'project': the engine overheated and died during the initial 'show me' cruise; the survey inspection revealed several noticeable soft spots in the deck and a pox of hull blisters, and the headsail was in poor condition. But because of the ridiculously low negotiated purchase price and my soon-to-be cheap labor, it seemed like a good deal.
7-8 years ago by the original owner. Due to health reasons of the owner, she had been neglected during that time and eventually donated to the Sea Scouts. After cruising in Mexico and the Pacific Northwest with my smaller boat, a ComPac 23D http://svnutmeg.blogspot.com/ , I had need for a larger and more seaworthy craft.
Downeast (also known as Down Easter) of Santa Ana, CA, made very stout cruising boats during the late 1970s to early 1980s. The 32' cutter was the smallest of their fleet and a number of these have circumnavigated. I have read that they were originally designed for the California-Hawaii charter trade.
.
I had been looking for an older offshore cruising boat that I could actually afford as a project boat for my pending retirement. She is definitely a 'project': the engine overheated and died during the initial 'show me' cruise; the survey inspection revealed several noticeable soft spots in the deck and a pox of hull blisters, and the headsail was in poor condition. But because of the ridiculously low negotiated purchase price and my soon-to-be cheap labor, it seemed like a good deal.
