As anyone who considers themselves a boat enthusiast will tell you, the sacrifices – financial and otherwise – to maintain a seagoing vessel makes taking care of a vintage car look like a walk in the park. It’s a world well above my head in terms of what constitutes a strong boat, but internet forums seem to indicate that this 1968 Hughes Northstar 38 is a solid choice for a boat that can handle its own when cruising offshore. This one is a stalled project that won’t be completed by the owner, so it’s up for grabs here on eBay with bidding just over $1,500 and no reserve.
The seller includes an extensive list of maintenance he’s addressed in his ownership, but the most important investment is the Westerbeke Diesel engine. According to internet forums, the original engine – something called the “Atomic 4” – is a total dog. Upgrading to a diesel engine is strongly encouraged, and based on the other improvements the seller has addressed, he understands how to use this boat to its potential. Re-done fiberglass decks; new freshwater and saltwater foot pumps; new waterlines and sewer lines; completely re-wired; new stainless steel fuel tanks; and more.
The interior was also refreshed, with the seller noting it’s been completely restored, sanded, painted, and stained. While I’m not a suitable judge as to the quality of a boat’s interior restoration, it certainly looks quite livable. Speaking of which, there’s a boating icon of sorts named Gary Martin (Fatty) Goodlander who is somewhat famous for piloting one of these exact boats on circumnavigation missions undertaken annually. In fact, based on internet chatter about the man, he’s hardly ever on the land. Still, if his Facebook page is to believed, he’s upgraded to a newer vessel in the last few years.
I’m assuming this is the mast, but I’m prepared to be shamed due to my lack of boat knowledge. Regardless, even as a project that hasn’t seen much love in recent years, this Hughes Northstar seems to be in good order thanks to an owner who apparently sweated the details. The boat is currently stored in Richmond Hill, Georgia, at a local marina, and the seller encourages in-person visits by all who can swing it. While it’s hard to tell what makes one boat project a better choice versus another, I like the sound of this owner and the scale of work and upkeep he’s undertaken in recent years.
The only people I’d trust on this would be, Gilligan, a mighty sailin’ man, the Skipper, brave and sure or possibly the professor, and they’re all gone. Fact is, the only remaining cast members are Ginger ( you wouldn’t recognize her) and Mary Ann( who still looks good) in their late 70’s. I don’t do well in the ocean on small crafts, or any craft ,for that matter, maybe repurpose into a “mini house”, but boats are great when you buy them, and when you sell them, I’m told.
With climate change being freaking real this could be your above ground shelter from flooding and your inexpensive “bolt” survival insurance package.
It beats the raft approach from Tom Sawyer books 📚😜
Will this boat still be ready to go in 11 years? Asking for a friend.
Who do you think you are, Noah?, :) ,,btw, you DID take out climate change insurance, I hope.
I’m definitely going into the term-climate-change insurance business. We’ve been twelve years away from ecological collapse since 1968! Even term-life has to pay out once in a while.
If you think the oceans are going to rise, ust buy a house on a small hill.
Steve R
The boats kinda cool, but the vintage Toyota truck next to it is pretty cool too.
I’d wanna ck that rigging like the mast as that’s equal to the cost of the rest (winches, sail, life lines, auto pilot, boom, etc).
I like the lines (sheer, keel, waterline, etc) and it’s a blue water boat fer sure, needs some close scrutiny just like the wheeled vessels on here. May B a good buy for those w/cheep storage or mooring…
Thanks Jeff !
I’ve owned some old cars (by necessity) and rebuilt some old boats (both by choice and for lack of choice) and it’s much harder to flip a boat than a car. The hull cost is the tip of the iceberg, even with a 19YO engine that hasn’t run in 3 years.
There’s a lot of work still to be done; all canvas inside and out and aloft will probably need to be replaced, and the new owner better have a good dental plan because I don’t see much by way of deck hardware like cleats and winches, which can get expensive.
I think there have been problems with the hull-to-deck joinery, which appears to have a double-width gunnel board covering the spear-strake. Get a marine surveyor to sound it all out.
That said, though, if you have access to parts and a fair amount of time, this can be a great coastal cruising boat, well sized and very stable.
Good Luck with the Sail!!
A hole in the water (or drydock in this case) that you pour money into…
The 2 happiest days of boat ownership…
1. The day you buy it, and;
2. The day you find a greater fool to buy it from you.
I just knew someone was going to make the “2 happiest days” comment.
And this wasn’t even the first time in this thread.
An Atomic 4 is a bit underpowered for this boat but don’t trash the engine for anything smaller. Moyer Marine will have everything you need to keep one going.
Boy do I see a non stop hole to dump 100$ bills into!
Boat and Horses.
Any time the wife gives me a hard time about maintenance costs for any of the cars, I use those as examples. A car can sit in a garage, untouched for a few months without huge adverse affects. Try not feeding a horse for a month, you’ll be getting a visit from ASPCA.
Fatty, and spouse Carolyn raised their daughter on one of these, ‘’tis true. They then completed one, if not two, circumnavigations in their Hughes 38 called Wild Card. They lived on the mooring ahead of me, in the USVI, years ago.
They have since been around a time or two more on their current boat.
This boat is a pedigreed design, from the boards of the well-respected Sparkman Stephens yacht design.
One could do worse with a project boat. Good coastal cruiser.
Captain Fatty and his 2 ladies are USVI legends here and he is a well respected writer as well and world traveling sailor. Rescued one of these after Hurricane Hugo destroyed his ferrocement hull Carlotta — sailed it around the world.
Boat maintenance will keep anyone busy, but it will get you out sailing!
I like it, I like it alot.
Most, if not all of the above comments about boats and money also apply to my (and anyone else’s) airplanes. Additional hilarity is assured by adding the FAA and their reams of rules about maintenance requirements and parts certification into the mix.
i like sailboats better. they float; airplanes can glide but they don’t stop well without power.
Break
Out
Another
Thousand
Two questions from a non-boat guy: 1.How is it standing up? 2. How do they move it without a crane?
Boat stands are holding it from tipping and most of the weight is held by the keel. They either pick it up with a crane, a travel lift, or a real big hydraulic trailer, though the keel may be too deep for that.
Thanks!
I cannot see the Barn it was found in ?
I want that Toyota camper next to it.
As a current sailor of a Valiant 40 , these are built well also. The costs to get things cruise ready outweighs the cost of one in excellent condition.
The adage of buy the best one you can, it’s less in the end applies to many things, boats included. I’d rather put money into a Valiant 40 than this one as you have a better base for offshore work if that’s the intent. For running the the Intercoastal? A lighter equiped Northstar (other than that 6′ draft, jeez!) might be the ticket.
Those are some quality brooms holding it up!! Obviously some good american hickory handles. Those bamboo crap handles on the chinese brooms would never hold up to that much stress.
(yes, i know they are not really brooms… )