1985 Herreshoff Nereia Yachts 38 Boat in Beaufort, NC 28516 US

1985 Herreshoff Nereia 38 Ketch

A Rare American Classic - Lovingly Sailed by Current Owner for 20 Years.

This exceptional 1985 Herreshoff Nereia 38 is a beautifully crafted cruising ketch with a remarkable combination of classic design, offshore capability, and traditional craftsmanship. She is my personal boat, and I have had the privilege of sailing and caring for her for the past 20 years.

Built in Wilmington, North Carolina by Alan Cothren, NEREIA is based on the legendary L. Francis Herreshoff Design No. 87, Nereia, a design widely admired for its graceful New England lines, seaworthy characteristics, and practical cruising layout.

Nereia Yachts combined the timeless appearance and proportions of a Herreshoff classic with durable modern fiberglass construction. The result is a yacht with the beauty of a traditional New England cruiser and the strength and practicality expected of a serious offshore passagemaker.

From her sweeping sheerline, graceful overhangs, and mahogany bowsprit to her bronze hardware and warm teak interior, this is a yacht built with an uncommon level of attention to detail. She is equally suited to coastal cruising, extended offshore passages, or simply enjoying the experience of owning a distinctive piece of American yacht-building history.

Construction

• One-of-a-kind 1985 Herreshoff Nereia 38
• Built in Wilmington, North Carolina
• Based on L. Francis Herreshoff Design No. 87, Nereia
• Fiberglass hull with 5/8" Airex core and bidirectional fiberglass laminate
• Fiberglass deck with closed-cell foam core construction
• Molded-in bulwarks
• Tan molded non-skid deck
• Hull and deck mechanically fastened and bonded with 3M 5200
• Internal cast ballast securely bonded inside hull
• Large forepeak sail locker with deck hatch
• Oversized cockpit drains
• Dedicated, vented propane locker

Exterior & Deck Hardware

The deck hardware reflects the traditional character of the design, with extensive use of teak, mahogany, and bronze.

• Mahogany bowsprit and Samson post
• Teak cap rails
• Teak handrails
• Teak cockpit coaming rails
• Fiberglass rudder with stainless-steel backbone and bronze gudgeons
• Ten oval bronze opening ports
• Six bronze hawse pipes
• Bronze anchor deck pipe
• Bronze lifeline stanchions
• Dual bronze anchor rollers

Rig & Sail Plan

The classic cruising ketch rig provides a versatile and easily managed sail plan well suited to offshore cruising.

• Heavy-wall 6061-T6 aluminum keel-stepped mast
• Awlgrip-painted mast
• Internal halyards
• 5/16" stainless-steel standing rigging - 2018
• Harken furler - 2018
• Mainsail with reef points
• Mizzen with reef points
• Mule
• Staysail
• Yankee
• Genoa
• Spinnaker

Engine & Mechanical

• Perkins 4-108 diesel
• 50 HP
• Freshwater cooling with heat exchanger
• Raw-water strainer
• Water-lift muffler
• Three-blade feathering Max Prop
• 1-1/8" stainless-steel propeller shaft
• 50-gallon fiberglass fuel tank

Electrical

• 30-amp shore-power system
• Shore-power receptacles and breakers
• 12-volt electrical distribution panel
• Battery selector switch
• Two deep-cycle marine batteries, approximately 100 Ah each
• Navigation lights
• Anchor light
• Ten interior cabin lights

Plumbing

• 25-gallon freshwater tank
• Bronze through-hulls with seacocks below the waterline
• Automatic electric bilge pump
• Manual cockpit bilge pump
• Manual marine toilet with fiberglass holding tank
• Shower with sump and drain pump

Interior

Inside, the Herreshoff character continues with a warm, traditional cruising interior featuring extensive teak and practical storage throughout.

• Traditional Herreshoff interior
• Teak cabin-side liners
• Decorative teak hull battens
• Spacious cruising accommodations
• Approximately 6 cu. ft. insulated icebox
• 4" closed-cell insulation
• Three-burner gimbaled propane stove with oven
• Abundant storage throughout

A Rare Opportunity

Nereia 38s do not come to market often, and this boat has an especially compelling story. After 20 years of personal ownership and sailing, I am offering her to someone who will appreciate what makes this design so special.

The Nereia 38 is not simply a classic-looking yacht. She was conceived as a capable cruising vessel, combining L. Francis Herreshoff's elegant proportions with a practical offshore-oriented design and substantial construction.

Her combination of classic lines, fiberglass construction, bronze hardware, traditional teak interior, ketch rig, and proven Perkins diesel power makes her a distinctive choice for the sailor looking for something far beyond the ordinary production cruiser.

Whether your plans call for coastal cruising, extended passages, living aboard, or simply owning and sailing a genuine American classic, this Herreshoff Nereia 38 deserves serious consideration.