Looking for feedback on Athena 38's

[Bill Houlihan]

I have recently purchased a '99 Athena 38 and had in San Diego since March. I would agree with most here. I think it is a good boat, though lightly built. It seems to handle ocean sailing well - my boat came over from the Med in the '99 ARC.
I haven't heard any disaster stories about these boats, but would certainly like to know of any - in the hopes of being able to prepare.
Engines under bunks are a pain. I am making some effort now to minimize needing emergency access. New hoses, water flow/temp alarm, bilge pump w/alarm, etc. I am installing dual Racor fuel filters in the Lazarette so I can switch and change filters while underway and no need to get to the engines.
I would welcome some discussion about these and other cats.

[redtwin]

Good point about the engine issues in aft cabins. I looked at FP Venezia(older model of Belize) andwas impressed with engine setup. I was told they were very quiet as well. I think there is a firewall and good insulation between aft cabins and engine rooms. I guess if Belize is beyond your budget look at a Venezia, good few for sale on yachtworld.com.

[thowell]

After 3 years on our Lagoon 380 I have not experienced any hobby horse problems because of engine weight in the rear. Actually I find the opposite, particularly in heavy wx, best to keep your bow light. We recently got caught in TD Alpha during a passage and the boat did great in constant 35 knots with gusts to 50. Additionally, the engine compartment is very user friendly.

The Sunsail Charter Company will have about a dozen Lagoon 380’s coming out of charter in June 06, give them a call for prices.

All that being said I have also sailed many Athena’s and think they are a good value for the money. either way, smart choice to go with a CAT, love em.

[h2oman]

We've owned our Athena 38 for 3 years now. It is an ex Sunsail charter - meaning it has been rode hard by many different skippers. We got into 12 to 18 footers last year off the Martinique channel and she took them well - tuff little boat.
I agree with Capt. John that the Bimini that came with it is bad news. We just had a new bimini installed using truck tarp by Shelter-Rite over a welded SS frame. We can now enjoy the cockpit without getting fried by the sun. We would be hard pressed to find a better boat that meets our needs and budget.

[sv_makai]

Since you have just purchased I will hold my tounge. We have a Voyage 380 and have decided the 44 would have been the right size for us. But since this is what we have we have found the 38 to a good size. Large enough to have space but not so big as to become unmanagable for the 2 of us.

We sepnt 5 days in 12 foot seas with 22-30 knots winds Coming from the Bahamas to PR and enjoyed the ride. We recently came from Los Roques with 6-7 foot seas. While all of the mono said we were crazy to go out we found the trip ok and we made great time, while they sat and waited for a 'comfortable' window. We also knocked off 7 hours on the trip.

With the extra speed and carrying capacity care does have to be taken so as not overload and turn it into a slow mono boat. We travel fairly comfortably and in no way camp. Take advantage of the room and spread out and enjoy.

[Sonosailor]

Interesting comments regarding keeping engines separate from living areas. Absolutely true - really annoying hauling stuff off engine compartments to check the oil, and an engine-related disaster can result in sleeping with strangers (that's bad, apparently ;-)).

Still, it takes more money to buy a boat large enough to have the engines in the back hatch. Let's be realistic - most of us (sometimes me) would buy bigger if we had the funds. The Athena, and my little Tobago 35 are pretty good boats - for their size.

Still, good comments for those who can make such choices.

[Lightfin]

A possible DISADVANTAGE to the Lagoon engines being behind the aft cabins and accessible only from exterior stern hatches ........ needing to access an engine offshore with a strong following sea ......... may be too difficult or dangerous to access, and may risk getting too much water in the engine compartment.

Are these valid concerns when offshore in rough conditions???

[db8us]

Hi There,

this is the engine-hatch of the Lagoon 380S2:
http://www.ekpp.de/personal/micha/eng1.jpg

and this is when you open it:
http://www.ekpp.de/personal/micha/eng2.jpg


The noise-isolation is partly removed and yes, you can also remove the side-parts (wood with foam) to gain more space when working on the engine.

It might be "interesting" to access this space in heavy storms, but so far i have not experienced it yet, since my boat is just in the delivery.

I think the FP and Lagoons are good to live on and have fun sailing, but they are no race-boats or "tough-stuff".

The inside of an Outremer cat was too "functional" in may opinion and i liked the round-view of the Lagoon.

If want wants to see more pictures of my boat:
http://www.ekpp.de/personal/micha/lino1.htm

What was added/changed was:
Engine upgrade to the 3YM30 27PS Yanmar
Salt and freshwater-foot-pump at the Pantry
Spinnaker-equipment
Parasailor 105sqm
80A Alternators instead of 60A
Bigger Harken-Winches
Stronger Lofrans Tigres anchor-winch
330ft SS anchor-chain with 60lbs "Bügelanker) (Don´t know the US-word for that)
Extra-300L freshwater tank
2 90L blackwater-tanks
Additional 140Ah battery (still not enough i think)
Battery-separator and load repartitor
Raymarine Plotter E120 (2times)
Wireless Controller
4kW Radar
Digital fishfinder trandsducer in starboard hull
CD-Radio with MP3 (VDO)
Loudspeaker inside and outside
FANS in the interior
Autopilot 6001
DSC VHF

This year will follow:
Since i am a radio-amateur HF and Pactor will be added.
Solar-panel on the Davits
Bimini and Sprayhood

2007:
Watermaker (the inlet is already installed)


Any comments ???

Greetings from Germany

Michael

[thowell]

VERY NICE!

[Lightfin]

Beautiful!!

Congratulations!!!

[CaptainK]

Michael.

That's a very ambitous list.

Watermaker..WOW!! Very nice indeed!!

Nothing wrong with your list of what you did to your sailboat?

Keep up the good work!!

[PapaCocha]

Wunderbar Michael,

One comment.

I had the Raystar GPS on the rail as you do and it kept on being bumped...I have it now flush mounted on the transom next to the stb scugar scoop...no more bumps and still good reception.

[db8us]

Thanks for the nice words and also for the recommendation of Papa Cocha.
Will watch my antenna for beeing bumped and keep you up to date