1977 Down East DE45

Full keel, full displacement, turn key bluewater cruiser that is ready to cross oceans, enjoy the local islands or have the most comfortable live aboard sailboat. Originally a Southern California boat, she has completed a Pacific loop and spent many years plying the waters between Washington and Alaska before making her return to Socal. 

Only 28 of the 45s were built due to Down East Yachts founder and legendary designer Bob Poole passing just five years after starting the company. This boat is hull number 7 and one of only a few cutters built. The boat was revered as one of the finest bluewater cruisers when introduced in 1977 with impeccable character and build quality from bow to stern.

This vessel has always been maintained to the highest standards and is in ready-to-sail shape on day one. Insurance survey completed Nov 2023 and is available to review.

I purchased the vessel in 2017 in Washington before sailing it back to Los Angeles. Among countless trips to Catalina, Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands, other recent voyages include a 2020 trip to Crescent City, CA and back to Los Angeles. I've spent 2+ days in Small Craft to Gale weather from Newport, OR to San Francisco and always felt safe while underway. 

The pedigree of Down East Yachts is unmatched as they were designed as comfortable, stable voyaging sailboats built with the highest quality materials. The hull is quite literally bullet proof with the thinnest fiberglass at the coaming rail being over 1.25” thick. Firm decks all around with no signs of water intrusion during the latest insurance survey (2023). The fully enclosed cockpit makes foul weather sailing very comfortable. New isinglass installed in 2020 so there is great visibility all around. 

The boat is a center cockpit, cutter rigged vessel with a high cut yankee jib giving the owner lots of sail plan options while underway. Sails comfortably in 7+ knots of wind and will regularly cruise between 6.5 and 8 knots in 10+ knots. Motorsails at ~7 knots in flat water at only ~1,700rpms, using less than 1 gallon of diesel per hour. The vessel has a well maintained Perkins 4-236 engine which has many new parts (and spares on board) and new parts can still be purchased easily from Perkins directly. Starts every time with no delay. 

Full galley with three burner HilleRange (LPG, 2x 5 gal tanks), big fridge and deep chest freezer. Boat carries 300 gallons of fresh water in two tanks. King sized aft berth, double sized vee berth, and a twin sized single berth. The salon table can also be dropped down for additional sleeping. Two heads with recently serviced Raritan Superflush toilets. Aft head has a comfortable standing shower.

Sail Inventory:

Heavy duty mainsail (2 reefs w/ lazy jacks), yankee jib and staysail in good condition

Dual asymmetrical spinnakers, very lightly used

Very heavy duty trysail (storm main) that has never been used

Mainsail cover restitched Aug 2024

Engine:
Perkins 4-236, always well maintained, 5,000hrs (known to go to 15,000+)

Three blade max prop, serviced Nov 2023

Oil, oil filter and preliminary fuel filters replaced every year (<100hrs), new primary filter in 2020 (<150hrs), new impeller (Dec 2023), water pump screen (2018)

Dual Racor preliminary fuel filter 

280 gallons of diesel in two tanks

Generator:

Ferryman 1KW, serviced annually, rarely used, but ran monthly for maintenance, 1,360hrs

Ground tackle:

20kg claw anchor primary, 25kg plow secondary, 10kg Danforth stern

250ft of 5/8” chain, 50ft of 5/8” nylon rode bow

30ft 5/8” chain, 150ft 5/8” nylon rode stern

Bow set up for easy dual anchoring

Lots of upgrades over the past seven years:

All new standing rigging (2017)

Running rigging replaced (2017-23) - Always kept in good working condition

Bronze seacocks serviced (2023)

All new Raymarine electronics (2020-23)

Axiom Pro 9, Quantum 2 radar, AIS transponder, RV312 twin transducer

Replaced Signet anemometer and gauge (2020-23)

Bowthruster added (2020) - Makes backing, mooring and docking a breeze

New salon cushions and new foam for berth cushions (2020)

Alpha 3000 autopilot - Military grade, linear drive system. Can be paired with Raymarine with an upgrade (2020-22)

Prop shaft and rudder post packing glands (2023)

Heat exchanger replaced (2023)

Replaced exhaust manifold with stainless version (2022)

Rebuilt custom exhaust (2022)

Steering cables and chain replaced (2022)

Compass serviced 2022

Fresh water and bilge pumps replaced (2022-24)

Headliner throughout replaced (2021)

New high pressure fuel pump (2020)

Replaced batteries, serviced annually (2019) - 4x 6v floor scrubber batteries run in series for house, 2x 12v starter batteries. Have been at Catalina for five days without seeing the house battery charge drop. 

Hatches throughout replaced (2018)

Holding tank replaced, 18gal (2018)

Bowsprit rebuilt by professional marine carpenter with African Mahogany (2018)

New windlass motor (2018)

Magma SUP/Kayak Rack (2018)

Magma Large Propane Grill (2018)

EPIRB replaced and still tests great (2017)

New VHF antenna and wiring (2017)

360 deg top of mast nav light installed (2017)

Espar heater (never used)

Water maker (never used)