Considering buying an Endeavour 40

liffyb · Considering buying an Endeavour 40

We are going to be flying over to the US to look at some Endeavour 40's that are for sale, with a view to long distance cruising.

Could anybody give us advice on what to look out for? ie strengths and weaknesses and the boats in general. Would you be happy to take this boat Offshore, we are intending to return to the Med' for long term cruising and then cross back into US waters and further afield. The layout suits our purposes but we are unsure as to wether the boats can handle the type of sailing we intend to do.

Liffy B

endvr32

There are some owners reviews posted at: http://endeavourowners.com/info.html

I can also send out your question to all of our E40 owners if you're interested. Please send me your e-mail so that I can do that: endvr32@endeavourowners.com

bobfnbw

Hi. having just purchased one myself, and having looked at a number of boats over the years, as well as several surveys I hope I can help.

First of all, you have to be mindfull of what boat you need now. You say long distance cruising. So with that in mind, here is my 2 cents.

I personally would not use the Endeavour 40 for long distance off shore cruising. I really dosn't seem to be designed for that, with short keel, higher freeboard, and a moderate mast hight. there are 2 good sea berths, but the aft berth is athwartships, and would not make a good seaberth. Also the cockpit is a bit large for offshore work, and the main companionway has no bridge deck. That are the minuses I see for this boat.

However for coastal work, or short offshore jaunts during good weather, the endeavour 40 is a great boat for a small family. The layout is idea for a 40 footer, the aft stateroom is comfortable, the main salon small but workable. 2 heads on a 40 footer seems excessive, so one can be converted to something else. The cockpit is large and comfortable. Air flow thru the boat is exceptional. Bilge is deep.

The problems these boats seem to have (forgive me if I sound like I know what I am talking about, as I just purchased mine, but been doing much searching for many years) are tankage and mast step problems.
They sail pretty well though it seems. Most owners seem to be very happy with their boat. If I had the extra cash I would have gone for a 42, but the price I paid for the 40, plus the upgrades I intend to do, will get me a pretty nice little yacht for less than the 42 would be.

Head room is not the greatest, I am 6'1" and have a inch or two clearence. Get a real good survey. Be prepared to do some work, and don't think this something its not and you will be fine.
Of course if I had the money I would be looking at 60 foot deerfoots... lol.

Chuck Graham · Considering an E-40

As is the case with the posted reply, I am a relatively recent E-40 owner and, as yet, I have not taken my boat beyond short coastal hops. This largely because of the boats age (1983) and an extensive rehab program, seemingly ongoing forever.

That said, it is certainly my intent to do some extensive cruising and I believe the boat is reasonably well suited to ocean cruising, as well. first, it is a very sound hulled boat, built thicker and stronger than many of today's production vessels. Second it is at least a borderline heavy displacement cruiser. My ketch version provides a good breakdown of sail footage into manageable portions, yet in the light summer airs of New England, I am always wanting to put out more sail. The boat was designed for the trade winds and I find that as the breeze exceeds 15Kts, the boat really settles down for sailing and easily achieves in excess of 7 KTS. Between her hull form, mass and sail plan, I think she would turn in a respectable performance at sea. The high freeboard doesn't seem as though it would be too great a drawback but that may be because I like the ride. Also the cockpit, being a high center cockpit, is less likely to get swamped, albeit its size.

E-40s are notorious for their aluminum fuel tanks, set in the aft section of the keel. I was lucky enough to buy one that had recently had the tank changed out for a FG tank and a new Yanmar 56 HP in place of the Perkins. I noted on my E-40 a phenomenom raised by another E-40 owner regarding the rudder blade. Intentional or not, there is a significant camber or airfoil shape to the starboard face of the rudder. Particularly under power, at cruise speed, one gets very tired trying to keep the boat from steering sharply to starboard. This is enough to overcome the autopilot when pushed much over 6.5 kts. I've been reading of work arounds including a 14" X 4" trim tab afixed to the rudder blade and grinding out the camber and reglassing the rudder blade.

While the after berth may not be good for much else than storage when at sea, the salon is roomy, the galley adequate and the boat can provide an excellent in harbor platform for the vast majority of time when one is not at sea. Obviously, she is a great set up for two couples when you are having the guests that seem to show a special interest in visiting from northern climes during winter months.

Chuck

Considering buying an Endeavour 40

Considering an E-40