DownEast 23 Cruiser/Lobster Boat for Sale

[Bill_S]

The Down East 23 (DE23)was designed by Jacques Mertens and is marketed by E-boats of Vero Beach, FL. (http://www.bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=DE23)

The boat has an aft open cockpit, enclosed cockpit with steering station, galley, and a dinette for two (table can be lowered to provide third bunk) and a forward cabin with V berths with space for a porta-pottie. It has ample storage spaces beneath benches, bunks, and galley.

The hull shell was constructed using a composite of high grade marine plywood core sandwiched between multiple layers of directional fiberglass in epoxy. All panels, interior bulkheads and stringers provided by E-boats were precision cut by a computer controlled router. The sides and roofs of the cabin and cockpit were constructed of lightweight, molded, honeycomb/fiberglass/epoxy panels. Below the waterline the hull is protected by two coats of Hydrocoat bottom paint.

Powered by a Yamaha 60 four stroke (2006,65hrs) the lightweight construction and efficient hull design enable speeds to 20+ knots. Max engine fuel burn is specified at 5.5 gph and at cruise it's typically closer 4 gph (+-). Weighing in at only 2100 pounds(+-) it tows easily on its custom aluminum dual-axle trailer (disc brakes) behind a SUV. .

The steering station features hydraulic steering, shift/throttle controller, power panel and other switches. The instrument panel has a speedometer, tach, fuel guage, battery meter (to monitor dual batteries), depthfinder readout, panel light dimmer control and horn button. Wiring conforms to marine standards (wire/cable and color coding- wiring by retired electrical engineer). Overhead cockpit lights LED red/white. NAV lights fore and aft. Several 12-volt convenience outlets are provided. All circuits fuse/breaker protected.

Topside the boat is finished with white EasyPoxy and non-skid on walk-on areas; hull- Teal EasyPoxy over epoxy paint. Below/near the waterline the hull is protected by two coats of black Hydrocoat bottom paint.

Sunbrella fabric covers the custom made cushions (two-inch closed-cell foam) and the V-berth cushions (four-inch closed-cell foam).

Adjusting the cabin temperature is aided by two roof hatches, forward cabin opening side ports, opening cockpit wing windows, screened cockpit doors, roof insulation, and smoke grey acrylic windows.

In the aft cockpit large hatches provide access to the battery compartment and outside stowage locker. Forward at the bow two hatches provide access to the anchor rode compartment.

Additional pictures at http://photobucket.com/Bill_S

The boat is currently moored at Shell Point (about 25 miles south of Tallahassee, FL).

Email: bschweikart@earthlink.net or phone 850-926-4928 (H), 850-294-7288 (C)