SV Pilgrim - the next chapter in our adventures at sea

It is official we have purchased a 1979 Morgan 382 – SV Pilgrim.

Port Side Bow

 After spending time aboard all three of our top choices – Tartan 37, Bristol 35.5, & Morgan 382, we choose to purchase the Morgan.  Why the 382? 

We were swayed by the recommendations we found by current and past owners on line.  Consistently the design received praise as a sturdy, comfortable vessel capable of bluewater sailing.  Along with chronicles of full time cruisers living aboard M382s, I found many accounts of Morgan 38’s completing ocean transits and circumnavigations.

First hand observations…

Topsides the M382’s High Freeboard, 6” bulwarks, and cabin top mainsheet set her apart from the Tartan 37s or the Bristol 35.5.   

From the bow looking aft

Her cockpit is spacious and appears comfortable.  We will need to get used to wheel steering.

cockpit

The interior layout is fairly standard. 

Looking forward from companionway

One standout feature is a separated shower stall in the head.  We were wowed by the amazing amount of storage below decks – dramatically more than other vessels we viewed.   System’s wise the 382 has more fresh water and fuel tankage than either the Tartan or the Bristol.

There are some down sides to the M382…

• With a fin keel & skeg hung rudder She draws 5 feet - a foot more than either the Tartan or the Bristol centerboard designs. 
• Due to fine entry lines her vee berth is on the narrow side – smaller even than the vee berth in C’est la Vie, a Morgan 34.
• She is powered with 30HP Yanmar.  By modern standards 30HP is not much for a vessel displacing 18,000 pounds.  C’est la Vie, our M34, displaces 12,500 and has a 34HP engine.

A bit of timing and chance also fit into the purchase.  For the price we were unable to find a Tartan or a Bristol that matched the condition and systems present on SV Pilgrim.

We have very little information on her history... 

We believe she is hull #115. In the 90’s she was named Pupa and based in the Miami, FL area.  Circa 1998 she was purchased by the most recent owners and moved to Lake Erie.  They did a wonderful job maintaining her.  Both inside and out her paint and brighwork are in good condition.  They replaced the rig and ran all the control lines aft in 2002.  The engine was rebuilt in 2010.  Recently they have replaced all the ports with new stainless steel NFM ports.  The dodger appears to be brand new. 

port side cockpit

There is work to be done… 

1.       Replace main sail

2.       Replace all Running Rigging

3.       Update Electrical System – control panel, lighting, battery bank, etc. – much of this will be pulled from C’est la Vie

4.       Install PV System & Solar Panels – pulled from C’est la Vie

5.       Install Wind Generator – pulled from C’est la Vie

6.       Update instruments – VHF, wind, depth, plotter, etc.  – much of this will be pulled from C’est la Vie

7.       Replace current LP stove with stove from C’est la Vie

8.       Improve storage & handling on foredeck. –  add a second anchor roller, and  the  windlass from C’est la Vie

9.       New antifouling paint.

I’m certain the list will evolve and grow once we spend some time aboard.  But first we need to get her down to Beaufort, NC.  We have contracted a trucking company to haul her south.  They promise to have her in Beaufort by December 15.