Opinions on this 'classic '38', please. :)

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jazzdude

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I came across this add the other day for this boat a Noray 38 built by Astilleros Lepatos, based on a Swan 38 and looking through the ad it seems to be in very good condition with a recently overhauled engine and what look like teak decks that aren't shot either.

I used to sail on an actual Swan 38 so I know the layout, although the only thing about it that I didn't like was that it had a traveller right in front of the wheel and thus no shade at all across the cockpit.

Noray 38 Used Boat for Sale 1978 | TheYachtMarket

I'm looking at boats in this price bracket, between €30-40k for a couple for day sails and the odd weekend, and hopefully if the set it up is right, to single hand as well.

Compared to say a 90s Awb, of a 34-36ft, is this boat worth looking into or is it likely to be a hard to handle money pit?
 
Lot of boat for not much money. The hull might even need insuring for much more than that. While, all things being equal, the hull will continue to hold value for many years. You could take it and use it as it is, renew stuff as you go along. Or do a one hit refit and get ten years without major costs. All,subject to passing its hull survey and no leaks or ingress from deck cover. I am not biased, as I have a Nic’ 36! Check engine install carefully.
 
Compared to the Jen Bav alternatives I'm looking at I must admit it does have a bit more style to it, but I'm hoping it can be a boat you get to sail rather than spending all the season fixing things.

I'm also hoping being similar to the Swan I used to crew on, that it would also fare well in the odd race as well.
 
For the usage you outlined I would be going for the AWB. But she is a pretty boat.

Batteries in cockpit locker? I would be inclined to rig a waterproof cover.

Location? It's a long way home...

With an AWB, it's not just that everything's newer, but that you're buying mass-market spares for everything. Friends recently acquired a late 70s Oyster needing new standing rigging - a predictable cost, so they thought. They had to buy a small number of custom castings for spreader fittings etc...which cost more than the rigging plus labour plus crane.
 
Heck of a boat for the price but, yes, a money pit. I bought my 1980 34' sailing cruiser nearly ten years ago for £23k and have spent more than that again on her. In return I have a boat that I live and adventures galore but a boat worth less than I paid for her, never mind what I have spent since.
If I was in your shoes, with your sailing plans, I'd concentrate on more recent AWBs that need little work doing to fit your needs. That way you get to spend your time sailing, not fixing up.
That said, its a beautiful looking boat, with lots of money spent by the previous owner. Great for long term liveaboard cruising.
 
I'm actually based in Cyprus so not that far, a week perhaps from there?

I take your point on parts but with a new Volvo engine hopefully in the years while its been 'maintained', maybe there are now a higher proportion of more recent replacements.
 
differentroads said:
Heck of a boat for the price but, yes, a money pit. I bought my 1980 34' sailing cruiser nearly ten years ago for £23k and have spent more than that again on her. In return I have a boat that I live and adventures galore but a boat worth less than I paid for her, never mind what I have spent since.
If I was in your shoes, with your sailing plans, I'd concentrate on more recent AWBs that need little work doing to fit your needs. That way you get to spend your time sailing, not fixing up.
That said, its a beautiful looking boat, with lots of money spent by the previous owner. Great for long term liveaboard cruising.
Click to expand...

The plan is to buy a liveaboard boat in about 5 years time and now to buy something smaller, say 32-34ft to get me on the water in the meantime.

What attracted me to this is that it's cheap enough to perhaps satisfy the first plan while with upgrades perhaps also serving the later plan without messing around and financial cost with selling the first boat and buying the next.

I was though thinking of something bigger, say 40ft but this might do the trick.

Worst come to worse, I would probably remove the teak at some point if it fails and give it white decks.
 
john_morris_uk said:
Interesting boat with lots of good things but...

A quick glance shows it needs new standing rigging and a new suit of sails and perhaps the electronics might need updating. . There’s the thick end of £10 to £15 k depending on quality of gear you buy.
Click to expand...
So at 45k do you think it could it be worth that with those upgrades?
 
I know nothing but I really like it. Providing you dont have to spend a fortune to get it how you want , its the sort of thing I would buy :) It looks classy, has a nice classic interior and is very well laid out, a bit busy on the decks but I bet she sails lovely.
 
Jmc1764 said:
I know nothing but I really like it. Providing you dont have to spend a fortune to get it how you want , its the sort of thing I would buy :) It looks classy, has a nice classic interior and is very well laid out, a bit busy on the decks but I bet she sails lovely.
Click to expand...

Personally being a bit OCD, I would take absolutely everything off and replace only what's necessary.
 
Richard said "I'm surprised at the state of the sole boards. How did they get like that?"

It has been heavily lived on, and they changed the engine with toolboxes and clodhoppers in the saloon.

Nice if you want it, but it will be a money pit. Like all boats I suppose.
 
jazzdude said:
I came across this add the other day for this boat a Noray 38 built by Astilleros Lepatos, based on a Swan 38 and looking through the ad it seems to be in very good condition with a recently overhauled engine and what look like teak decks that aren't shot either.

I used to sail on an actual Swan 38 so I know the layout, although the only thing about it that I didn't like was that it had a traveller right in front of the wheel and thus no shade at all across the cockpit.

Noray 38 Used Boat for Sale 1978 | TheYachtMarket

I'm looking at boats in this price bracket, between €30-40k for a couple for day sails and the odd weekend, and hopefully if the set it up is right, to single hand as well.

Compared to say a 90s Awb, of a 34-36ft, is this boat worth looking into or is it likely to be a hard to handle money pit?
Click to expand...



Yes, shade at the helm is good, I see the photos show a shaded helm under sail, so that is ok. A sailing pal of mine raced a similar boat singlehanded and was happy enough.

"Money pit" is a bit of a cliche. You have to ask yourself how much you like the design and then figure out if it is worth it to you. The costs are likely to be substantial as is the level of hands on buggeration but don't be fooled by people telling you in "needs" this or that, costs can be spread over a longer period.
Other folks opinions on value don't really come into it until you sell, where you have to contemplate bearing a potential loss. If you intend to keep the boat a very long time you may be both coming up for refit together and resale value will be of little account.

It's as well you are thinking about the deck, you will have to be sure the core is sound - the deck itself is more of a known quantity. It does generally look well used which can be a positive and a negative. My instinct is that it a boat that may well sell at a discount on the asking price.


You may have seen this ad, it presents very well, don't know if it is still available:

1978 Noray 38, Goes Netherlands - boats.com

.
 
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jazzdude said:
The plan is to buy a liveaboard boat in about 5 years time and now to buy something smaller, say 32-34ft to get me on the water in the meantime.

What attracted me to this is that it's cheap enough to perhaps satisfy the first plan while with upgrades perhaps also serving the later plan without messing around and financial cost with selling the first boat and buying the next.

I was though thinking of something bigger, say 40ft but this might do the trick.

Worst come to worse, I would probably remove the teak at some point if it fails and give it white decks.
Click to expand...

Worst comes to worst is that you end up blowing your livaboard money on a boat now that hardly gets sailed with various stuff in some state of repair.

Having said that I am in my 12th year of ownership, having bought an old boat that just needed a few things done to keep her maintained. I have spend a small fortune and 3 years on the hard and 1 year afloat fixing her up. She is in good shape now, but something always needs to be done. Here is a tip. For the money I have spent, I could have bought a high spec, nearly new 35' yacht from the likes of BenJenBav, so think very carefully about how much money you could pool now or by next year and if you could push to that nearly new mass produced boat. That strategy will likely be lower cost and more sailing sooner and for longer. I have funds available to refit, because of the nature my job, so I am not too bothered. Be realistic about your available funds and how you can achieve your goal.
 
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