Sundowner Tug

[Unclematt]

I belong to AGLCA and I am a new Trawler forum member. I am going to look at a Sundowner Tug this weekend. Does anyone own one or know much about them. I love how it looks and the only thing it needs is a new genset. I am planning to take it on the Loop in a few years. Any information is appreciated.

 

[MurrayM]

AGLCA?

Here are some links to get you started:

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s17/sundowner-tugs-7877.html

M/V Scout

https://www.sailangle.com/group-forum/index/id/2289

Since these are 1980's Taiwan built boats; much depends on previous owners. Why not have a look at it, then try again with more specific questions.

Love ours, but it does have its limits in terms of seaworthiness...some days it's wiser to stay anchored in a snug spot and go for a hike ashore.

Hope things go your way, and welcome aboard

 

[boathealer]

I had a Sundowner 32 about 20 years ago. Absolutely LOVED that boat. Would still have it if I hadn't been laid off.....

Tough as nails boat - built like the proverbial brick -----house. Lots of room. Fuel-sipping Perkins.

Have tons of pics of projects and such from my 32 (including replacing all windows with radiused aluminum).

What size boat are you going to look at?

A couple of documents from the mid-80's from an importer in the midwest.....

 

[Comodave]

Welcome aboard. Good luck with your boat search.

 

[MurrayM]

I had a Sundowner 32 about 20 years ago. Absolutely LOVED that boat...

That's funny. A Great Harbour 37 is definitely in the top 3 boats I'd go for if we ever "fell into" that kind of money. Great minds think alike!

 

[boathealer]

that's funny. A great harbour 37 is definitely in the top 3 boats i'd go for if we ever "fell into" that kind of money. Great minds think alike!

LOL. There's no accounting for taste.......

 

[Conrad]

If memory serves, there were three models of the Sundowner, 30', 32', and the rare 36'.
I wonder which one the OP is considering?

 

[Unclematt]

I went on the boat today and fell in love Does anyone know if the hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline. Thanks

 

[MurrayM]

I went on the boat today and fell in love Does anyone know if the hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline. Thanks

Yes.

Reel yourself in a little... love is no emotion you need clouding your vision right now!

Having said that, how’d it go?

 

[Frosty]

Just to be contrarian, I find that I had better fall in love with a boat because otherwise I will totally resent the effort, time, and money I put into it.

I do know what you mean though: you don't want to fall in love with a boat that is going to be a nightmare (then you can fall out of love).

 

[MurrayM]

Just to be contrarian, I find that I had better fall in love with a boat because otherwise I will totally resent the effort, time, and money I put into it.

I do know what you mean though: you don't want to fall in love with a boat that is going to be a nightmare (then you can fall out of love).

Exactly...best to be somewhat removed so as to have a critical eye. Also helps in bringing up things that need to be fixed to negotiate the price down.

To the OP...are you going to get it surveyed?

 

[boatpoker]

Everyone knows the TT's had corrosion issues with their mild steel tanks (no such thing as iron tanks in TT boats). Sundowners were the worst of the worst. Take a really, really hard look at the fuel tanks.

 

[MurrayM]

Everyone knows the TT's had corrosion issues with their mild steel tanks (no such thing as iron tanks in TT boats). Sundowners were the worst of the worst. Take a really, really hard look at the fuel tanks.

Good advice...(OP should know boatpoker is/was a marine surveyor and knows his stuff) ours are original and would never make a boating magazine cover shot! New tanks next spring, for sure.

 

[markpierce]

I had a Sundowner 32 about 20 years ago. Absolutely LOVED that boat. Would still have it if I hadn't been laid off.....

Tough as nails boat - built like the proverbial brick -----house. Lots of room. Fuel-sipping Perkins.

Have tons of pics of projects and such from my 32 (including replacing all windows with radiused aluminum).

What size boat are you going to look at?

A couple of documents from the mid-80's from an importer in the midwest.....

Looks like my boat.

 

[Benthic2]

Is the Sundowner hull also designed by the guy who desighed the Nordic and American Tugs ?? Is there any overlapping history with Sundowner and AT or NT ?? I'm just curious.

 

[MurrayM]

Jack Sarin, N.A. of Bainbridge Island, WA designed the Sundowner tugs to a local boat broker's request after his seeing the success of the first Nordic 26 tug No. 1 with red hull at the 1980 Seattle Boat Show with 45 orders taken. Jack stated he couldn't do it in just 26 feet, so the SD30 design of 29'6" was born.

https://www.sailangle.com/group-forum/topic/id/3293

 

[Unclematt]

Sundowner 32

For a 30 year old boat the condition was quite good. The present owner is a retired marine surveyor. The only big issue is it needs a new genset. The other things I see that will need to be taken care of are cabin windows leaked a bit and discolored the veneer I would replace the windows with aluminum sliders and replace the veneer. The swim platform needs work and my wife would like it to be wider. One trim tap needs repair or replacement. I am waiting to get the maintenance log then I will go aboard again for a second look. If I decide its a go then a full survey and sea trial would be done. MurryM what seaworthy limits are you referring to I live in New England where we get a 15kt sea breeze almost every day

 

[MurrayM]

We have a lot of islands and intersecting inlets/channels around here, some with steep shores, so rebounding confused seas are the norm. The semi-displacement hull with hard chines gives what I call a 'snap roll' where the deceleration acceleration phase happens really fast. Having said that, 15 knot winds are well within its grasp.

Our aft deck is a bit spongy from water leaks around the fuel fills, but we knew that going in...it'll get replaced when the original fuel tanks come out.

Our fore deck is solid, as are the side decks and pilothouse roof. There was some leakage around the mast step bolts...that might be where the window leaks originate from? Any hints of water where the saloon ceiling meets the walls above the windows, or back towards the sliding entry hatch?

Like you say, these are 30 year old boats. A bit of softness in the aft deck or the odd leak to chase down did not in any way detract from the memories we've made while cruising our coast

 

[Unclematt]

What size and make is you generator? All of the leaks I saw were from the windows. If I buy it I would replace with aluminum sliders with screens'

 

[MurrayM]

No generator. Have a 4D starting battery and four golf cart batteries in series parallel as a house bank...all flooded lead acid...6 years and still good. Replaced small Hitachi alternator on Yanmar to a self regulated Hamilton Ferris PowerMax LT100s and cogged belt.

We are electrically frugal so don't need a generator. Just added a 150W solar panel, so might get a little crazier on that front.

 

[AKDoug]

I had my heart set on a Sundowner 32, then discovered Willard. NT's were out of my price range, and the engines too large for the way I planned to run my boat. Idle in a NT is too fast to troll in the 32's, and I troll a lot.

There is a Sundowner 36 in Seward, they are really nicely laid out, great cockpit. The cockpit on my Willard is a weak point, but I make do.

 

[Unclematt]

Re: Sundowner 32

How do I send a member my email? Using reply shut me down thinking it was spam

 

[boathealer]

You could try to spell out the various parts of the email. Just make up some words for the "at" and the "dot". You can say what which words are in the message text.

 

[boatpoker]

How do I send a member my email? Using reply shut me down thinking it was spam

Send it in a PM (private message).

 

[C lectric]

Click on the persons user name and a small drop down box will appear.
Chose "Send a private message to ------"
The site will send that person a message so you can ask them for contact and give them your email so you can email outside of the T.F.

 

[Al]

We have a lot of islands and intersecting inlets/channels around here, some with steep shores, so rebounding confused seas are the norm. The semi-displacement hull with hard chines gives what I call a 'snap roll' where the deceleration acceleration phase happens really fast. Having said that, 15 knot winds are well within its grasp.

Our aft deck is a bit spongy from water leaks around the fuel fills, but we knew that going in...it'll get replaced when the original fuel tanks come out.

Our fore deck is solid, as are the side decks and pilothouse roof. There was some leakage around the mast step bolts...that might be where the window leaks originate from? Any hints of water where the saloon ceiling meets the walls above the windows, or back towards the sliding entry hatch?

Like you say, these are 30 year old boats. A bit of softness in the aft deck or the odd leak to chase down did not in any way detract from the memories we've made while cruising our coast

Murry- The fellow who recently arrived here with a Sundowner, replaced the fuel tank and the aft deck with aluminum . I will take a picture and email it to you. The aft deck from the house to the stern is a bit over a standard sheet of aluminum . Said as this fellow added a short strip between the house and the diamond plate aluminum . He installed a new aluminum fuel tank and deck beam (with Yellow Cedar beam). You will be impressed with the installation outcome and with a skilled medal worker a cinch.
Al

 

[MurrayM]

Murry- The fellow who recently arrived here with a Sundowner, replaced the fuel tank and the aft deck with aluminum . I will take a picture and email it to you. The aft deck from the house to the stern is a bit over a standard sheet of aluminum . Said as this fellow added a short strip between the house and the diamond plate aluminum . He installed a new aluminum fuel tank and deck beam (with Yellow Cedar beam). You will be impressed with the installation outcome and with a skilled medal worker a cinch.
Al

Hi Al, good to hear from you!!!! Hope you & yours are doing well.

 

[hfmckevitt]

Sundowner tug

They seem to be a west coast boat. Does anyone know if there are any on the east coast

 

[AKDoug]

I recall a couple being in Florida when I was looking. From up here, that IS the East Coast

 

[sahockey]

There are some Sundowners on the East coast (I live in Saratoga NY) as well as in the Midwest. I love my 30’ Sundowner which is technically a Regency Trawler Tug. It was made after Sundowner went bankrupt for the second time thus has a different name but is still the very same boat. I replaced both of my 80 gal steel fuel tanks with two 40 gallon plastic tanks. I only burn about 3/4 gallons of fuel when I cruise at about 6 knots with my Super 90 Ford Lehman diesel. So I have absolutely no need for 160 gallons of fuel.

Every place I go I get a lot of very positive comments of what a beautiful boat she is. Of course because it does have a lot of exterior teak I had to do a lot of work initially to that teak. Since I keep her in a barn in the fall winter and spring I have done very little to maintain that teak. I generally feel she is the prettiest boat whether I’m off the coast of Maine or on Lake Champlain or anywhere between or around there.

There is a Sundowner tug owners forum a part of sailangle.com that hasn’t been used much lately but you can visit to get a lot more information and pictures. Welcome to my world.