Dale Nelson 38, ANDROMEDA

Broker’s Comments

The Dale Nelson 38 Aft Cabin is a motor yacht that needs little introduction to motor-cruising enthusiasts. From her fine-entry, immensely capable, commercially derived TT hull to her exemplary level of craftsmanship, the combination is much imitated but never surpassed. Her sharp bow and stem cleave through the water, while her rounded bilges displace rather than slam their way forward, resulting in a far smoother passage compared with her planing counterparts.

The Dale Nelson 38 Aft Cabin ANDROMEDA has been lovingly maintained during her current ownership. Upgrades include Raymarine HybridTouch plotters at both helm positions, a recent Coppercoat underwater treatment, and she is in simply exceptional order (in fact, the best 38 I think I have seen – no joke). With her low freeboard, clear decks, and abundant solid handholds, she is effortless to step onto, walk around, and hop off when moored alongside. We note that an £11,000 refit was carried out by her original builder, Dale Nelson, in 2017, ensuring everything was executed to the highest standards. She is thus a thoroughly capable passage-maker, having made passages from the Baltic to the UK, and is capable of demanding offshore cruising.

ANDROMEDA is finished in deeply lustrous American cherry interior joinery, exquisitely varnished and presented in exceptional condition. Quality of this calibre is rare and enduring, meaning that age has not, and will not, diminish her original beauty. She is fitted with an Eberspächer diesel heating system; her interior seating has been reupholstered, and she is presented in very clean order throughout. Fitted with the superb combination of twin Yanmar 420 HP diesels on simple shaft drives, with handed dipsticks and excellent all-round access, she embodies the working sea boat – from her stout deck gear to her low deck line – and she is presented in beautiful condition.

ANDROMEDA is fully ready to roam again and is currently ashore for the winter. She could take you to the Baltic and beyond, around the Mediterranean and back, or look magnificent heading down the Solent into a fresh westerly wind, with a plume of spray off her bow and a powerful, seagoing gait.

Her exterior varnish was recently taken back to bare timber and re-coated, so she glistens in the sun.

She is simply fabulous.

Owner’s Comments

ANDROMEDA is a superb Dale Nelson 38. She has the same capabilities as the Nelson 40, but with a lot more space giving her room for a centre island double berth in the aft cabin. The American cherry interior woodwork is superb and extremely well executed. I have taken her to the Baltic and back. For the 4 years she was there she was kept in winter heated storage from September to early May. She is presented in superb condition and is ready to go.

Press Comments

I have never been out on a test where I’ve been admonished for driving too slowly! To have the builder urging you to drive home as fast as possible in the sort of conditions that slow many boats to a crawl is hugely reassuring. But the 38’s excellent heavy-weather handling would amount to little if the build wasn’t up to scratch, and you found yourself too scared to drive your boat hard in case it broke. Happily, then Dale scores full marks here. It’s not just the heavy construction that provides the comfort: the whole boat is put together with great care and considerable attention to detail. Joinery built this heavily will last indefinitely. And quality engineering always makes for less heartache in the engine room. – David Marsh writing for MBY, April 2000.

Manufacturer’s Comments

ANDROMEDA is a beautiful Dale Nelson 38, built in 2002, featuring the newer layout with a central double bed in the aft cabin. She was purchased by the present owner in 2017. At the time of purchase, the owner spent £11,000 with Dale on a partial refit, which included new underwater seacocks, superstructure gel coat repairs, and new exhaust rubbers from the engines to the silencer. A new calorifier was fitted at the same time.

The batteries were replaced in 2019. She has been kept in undercover heated storage each winter and was not launched during the 2020 season. Since 2021, she has been stored outside under a fully fitted lightweight cover during the winter, costing over £4,500. This cover is included in the sale. She was Coppercoated in 2022.