Hi Guys,
So you are looking at a I-Citation 38. I have loved our 1989 Citation 38 “Seawings” for the last number of years. Are there things I don’t like about her...of course, are there things I do like….absolutely. First off she is one of the sexiest , seductive boats of her era and demands a second look by anyone who catches a glimpse of her. She “Calls” to you, It’s hard to look away or leave her. While pulling into marinas the locals let me know with “NICE BOAT!” then followed by “What is She?”
Her galley layout is spacious and more than adequate. Aft cabin…. A bit claustrophobic so don’t sleep with your head at the stern. Settee is ok however a bit awkward due to the mast position...but HEY..it’s a sailboat not a Winabago. V berth is a V berth, unless you are bringing kids onboard you will probably use it for storage. I certainly like the swing down transom steps for dinghy boarding and egress.
Fiberglass build: Solid fiberglass Hull no Coring...I like that, Deck has Klegcell core which apparently doesn’t absorb water or rot, this would be a good thing.
Cabin layout is reasonable, functional, big
Cockpit layout, Max people comfortably– 4 underway, 6-dockside
OK, you know why you like it, here’s what your asking
Things I don’t like: Interior build quality. Just kind of cheap, no real precision in the millwork craftsmanship. A lot like an 80’s era travel trailer. I would expect that mostly non skilled labor was used in the interior construction. It’s functional but no wow factor. For me...I am slowly turning the interior into a fine woodworking project, a nice hobby for me, a little here and a little there.
Chain-plate to Deck connections: I have seen other 38 Citations and they differ from ours, Most have a solid bar stock of stainless connecting the underside of the deck to a stringer type wall which also served as the backrest of the settee. Seawings uses a turnbuckle the size of my for arm in place of the bar stock. Apparently to be able to adjust the shroud tension above and below the deck. The factory also did away with the fiberglass crossbar that runs along the ceiling of the cabin from chainplate to chainplate that I would imagine prevents the port and starboard sides from being distorted by rig pressure. We just tuned the rig last week and it was a lot of “in and out” of the cabin. I need to think about this and understand why the change was made from the former configuration.
Wiring: SUCKS! But so does the wiring on just about all boats of this vintage. The Yanmar factory used all non tinned wire in the harness (I think the guy who makes the harnesses changed from Farm to Marine without changing the wire and parts). If the engine harness hasn't already been replaced you will more than likely find many corrosion problems. Just take a weekend and build a new harness with tinned wire and Duetch connectors.
Anchor locker: Not much room, I’m still trying to figure out how to install a windlass. A previous owner had a windlass installed but removed it and patched up the holes.
Stantion connections: As with most boats the stantions had never been serviced, We have pulled them, rebbed and added backing plates. Until this was done we always had leaks.
Factory Roller Furler. When purchased it took 3 men and a boy to unfurl and furl, after removing the head sail. I dismantled the drum, cleaned parts, refitted a few improperly installed screws and now it works like a dream.
I could go on and on but I know why you are considering the Citation 38, Understand that it’s an older production boat, Irwin cut corners where it didn’t make a difference and did a nice jog where it does. You will be working many hours to get your boat up to snuff regardless of what make its.
Would I buy her again? Sure...she “Calls” to me