Looking to get into a Brewer 44

Hi folks!!

Brand new to this forum, and I have a huge question.

I've looked all over the internet, and there really is limited (IMO) information about the Brewers.

I am looking at several as possible purchases, and would like an honest appraisal from those who own these.

Is there anything in particular I should be looking for as far as known issues with these boats? I know the 42's have (or so I remember) have problems with the centerline fuel tank down in the keel. Is there/are there any such issues (or any of significance) with the Brewer 44s.

This is the first boat that I have been able to get my spouse to even remotely like as a liveaboard, and am looking to move forward.

Thanks in advance.

Brad

We tried responding before, so this may be a duplicate. We have a Brewer 44 (1988 hull #284) and we love this boat! She is solid, responsive, and a good sailor. We have had no issues of substance, other than the usual for an aging vessel. We understand there can be issues with wet core in the foredeck. We have replaced our “center” tank (under the refrigerator/freezer, not in the keel) and made some desired upgrades, but nothing we absolutely had to do. One thing we miss is having a good shower on board, but we are not full time liveaboards. Make sure to have a good survey, make the upgrades you want, and go sailing!

Happy New Year, my wife and I have owned Andiamo, Brewer 44 hull 291, for the past five years and have been living aboard for the past 18 months. Its a great boat: beautiful, comfortable and sea worthy.
The biggest issue with them is finding a good one. There were only 30 built before the company went broke and some haven’t been maintained the way they deserve. No problem with the keel tank as they do not have one. Those were only on the Whitbys, which are an earlier iteration of the boat. Some have soft fore decks, if previous owners didn’t properly bed deck hardware, but this can be fixed. The biggest issue with ours was that the chainplates were corroded, but these were easily replaced.
If you can find one in good shape, get a good surveyor and buy it, you won’t be sorry.

What did you have to do to replace your fuel tank and why did you think it necessary? Ours seems ok but I’d like to know for future reference.

1. Foredeck....possible wet core....got it

Thank you very much.

Was there a reason you changed the centerline tank?? Or just preventative??

The point with the shower was one my wife made. But thankfully for me, she was able to take that as a compromise. The ability to take a "seated" shower while heeled over was that compromise. We were also looking at Morgan 43/44/45....and the "tub" was the same way.

Thanks for the reply,

Brad

2. Chainplates possibly corroded.....got it

You say that wasn't a difficult fix. So, it isn't a major tear out like on an Island Packet? Plates easily accessible??

Finding a good one is always a chore, especially of the ages of these boats. I am a "classics" kind of guy, and just can't find a new, "affordable" boat that I like. But I definitely agree that some haven't been taken care of. I can't believe what some people are calling "good" boats.

I will definitely be getting a good survey. I am a back up offer on one now, and the offer is contingent on a good survey and any possible survey allowance.

Thanks for the reply.

Regards,

Brad