SIR TUFFY - N/A FOR SALE

1977 Alajuela 38 — Shipyard-Finished Bluewater Cruiser

The Alajuela 38 hails from a time when true offshore passagemaking yachts were conceived with a mindset unlike most modern production sailboats: stout construction, conservative systems engineering, time‑proven hull shapes, and the presumption that the boat might someday be a very long way from home on the open ocean.

This 1977 Alajuela 38 is especially compelling as an ocean‑ready, shipyard‑completed example that has stayed admirably faithful to her original specification. She has been spared decades of dubious owner alterations or attempts to recast her into something she was never meant to be. At her core, she remains what Alajuela intended—a strong, beautifully balanced, traditional bluewater cruising yacht.

Accommodations

A large cockpit with tiller steering welcomes you aboard, leading down into a cabin where the galley sits perfectly to starboard and the navigation table balances the layout to port. Opposing settees to port and starboard create a comfortable, social salon. An enclosed head is fitted with a composting toilet for efficient, eco‑friendly cruising. Forward, a spacious V‑berth with its own seating area and vanity offers a private retreat. The entire interior is clad in rich teak, and the classic teak‑and‑holly sole is not only beautiful but a full one inch thick, underscoring the yacht’s robust craftsmanship.

Galley

The thoughtfully arranged galley features a deep stainless-steel sink served by pressurized hot and cold water, complemented by an additional galley foot pump for efficient, reliable operation. Culinary tasks are handled with ease on a three-burner LPG stove with a gimbaled oven, while provisions remain perfectly chilled in the top-load Isotherm refrigerator.

Additional features

Thoughtfully outfitted, this yacht features outboard chain plates that enhance rig integrity, a teak toe rail and teak cockpit coaming that frame the fiberglass decks with warm elegance, and bronze portlights that add classic character. Confident helm control is delivered through tiller steering, guided by a Richie bulkhead compass (P&S), while ground-tackle handling is simplified by a Lofran manual windlass. Ventilation is ensured by two cowl vents with Dorade boxes, and the sail plan stays protected beneath a sail cover. Navigation and performance data come via Horizon depth, Horizon speed, and Horizon wind/sp direction instruments, and communication is handled by a standard VHF radio. Efficient sail handling is supported by three Lewmar 30ST deck winches and two Lewmar 43 ST sheet winches, all working in concert with the security and stiffness of a keel-stepped mast.

Mechanical

In 2019, the auxiliary diesel benefited from a comprehensive service program that included a rebuilt injector pump and rebuilt injectors to restore crisp fuel delivery, a precision-balanced propeller shaft to minimize vibration, a new stuffing box for dependable shaft sealing, and a new shaft/Pedro tube installation to ensure smooth, efficient drivetrain performance.

Hull & underwater systems

Meticulous attention has been devoted to the vessel’s underwater integrity, with all thru-hulls and seacocks replaced. The bottom received three coats of barrier coating followed by bottom paint, establishing a robust, long-lasting foundation that protects the hull. Having been stored out of the water for more than a year, she should be given fresh bottom paint before launching, with the underlying barrier-coat work already fully completed.

Ground tackle

A proper cruising boat deserves ground tackle of commensurate caliber, and this Alajuela is outfitted accordingly. The setup includes a new CQR anchor partnered with approximately two hundred feet of 3/8 chain, all confidently managed by a new Lofran manual windlass. This is substantial, purpose-built gear for a vessel intended for genuine cruising rather than simply moving between marina slips.

Navigation, communications and electronics

In 2019, an integrated GPS, VHF and AIS suite was installed, significantly enhancing onboard navigation and communications capabilities. The vessel also comes with new speed, depth and wind instruments, still in their boxes and ready for installation by the next owner.

Rigging and sail handling

The standing rigging was replaced in 2019, a meaningful upgrade for anyone evaluating an offshore-capable cruiser. Included with the yacht is a new Schaefer 2100 roller-furling system that has never been installed, giving the next owner the advantage of completing the installation during recommissioning and starting with a fresh system rather than inheriting an aging furler.

Interior & cruising equipment

Recent equipment and improvements elevate onboard comfort and practicality, including a new propane stove/oven for efficient galley performance, new V-berth cushions for restful nights, and a composting toilet that enhances self-sufficiency and reduces maintenance. Despite these thoughtful updates, the boat retains much of the character and straightforward functionality that make traditional cruising yachts so appealing.