1988 Sigma 362, Moon Shadow

by Paul Little
(Exeter, Devon, UK)

Following the death of my father in 2017 I came into a small inheritance and decided that the best thing to do with it would be to fulfil an ambition set in place by my father over forty years ago - to sail around the world. I learnt to sail with my dad in the early 1970s in dinghy racing - we had a Wayfarer and later a small (22') coastal cruiser.

My knowledge of larger sailing boats was fairly limited but I started scouring the usual websites - boatshed.com, apolloduck.com etc. I wanted a boat big enough to be comfortable as a "home" for the two to five years I envisioned my circumnavigation to take but small enough to be easily handled either single-handed or with a small crew - me and one or two others. So something in the mid 30s seemed ideal.

An old friend had a Nicholson 32 which he loved and he swore by long keels for the comfort in a seaway. So thats where I started my search. What I found though was that all these types of boats had very "cosy" interiors.

I had done my RYA Day Skipper course in 2002 aboard a Sigma 362 and remember her being very comfortable inside with enough room for the five of us on the course. Her sailing ability was very good and she was quite fast - having the same hull as the Sigma 36 racing boat but with a different internal layout and a different coach roof.

As luck would have it I found Moon Shadow on the Isle of Wight and arranged to view her whilst visiting the Southampton Boat Show in 2019. She'd been out of regular use for a few years and need some TLC but following a satisfactory survey and some haggling I managed to purchase her for a very reasonable sum.

I've done some small mods to her so far - replaced the old (and unservicable) Stowe instruments with NASA Clipper ones. Installed a tricolour masthead light. Swapped the old stuffing box with a dripless seal. Had the engine fully serviced (I'm toying with the idea of removing it and doing a full overhaul before I set off). Installed a fridge. Installed (well, bought!) a Neptune windvane self steering system. Bought a new 15kg Rocna and 70m of 10mm chain along with 25m anchorplait (one slight side effect of this is that she now sits a bit "nose down" which I'm trying to figure out what to do about). I also want to replace the unknown age standing rigging - probably with Dyneema.

Comments for 1988 Sigma 362, Moon Shadow

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 12, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Sigma 362 Back Stay Configeration
by: ed

Hi,

A friend is buying a Sigma 362 and showed me some pics of the back stay. I need to replace the lower section that connects to the 2 chainplates on the stern. Where can I find the length of that section of wire - from the eye of the chainplate to the eye of the tensioner? I'm 1,000 miles away from the boat.

thanx,
Ed

Mar 09, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Moon Shadow Crew Seeker
by: Nicky

Hi Paul,
I live near Exeter and see you need crew...what's your upper age limit for crew? Any gender preference?

:0)

May 21, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
I must go down to the sea again.
by: Trevot Lawrence

Great choice. I did my own odyssey, crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean departing Brighton a bit late in 97 in a 27 footer. I spotted you are from Exeter, my own place of birth. so wished to offer my thoughts on anchor tackle. I had a CQR, a Bruce, Fortress as a stern/Kedge with a roll of flat line on the stern rail and a collapsible Fisherman type. 100ft chain, 300ft rode with an eye splice in one end and an additional 10M chain, All of which I was very thankful for at one time or another although I never used the Fisherman but I was still glad I had it. Can never have enough line on a boat and some means of shading the boat both at anchor and under way will be a god send, as will a way of forcing air into the boat and circulating it. All the best for your travels and try not to run out of money :)

Jan 08, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Sigma 362 owners
by: Thomas

Hallo Paul,

Bought my 1987 Sigma 362 last year. She is a very nice old lady and my crew and I enjoy sailing with this fine boat.

I am interested to get some more information about your retrofit plans and would like to discuss your ideas. So please leave a note under thomas_papke@web.de .

Best regards
Thomas

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Cruising sailboats.

Recent Articles

  1. Used Sailboats for Sale in the Caribbean

    Jun 07, 23 01:51 AM

    Looking for used sailboats for sale that are capable of crossing an ocean? These cruising yachts are already in the Caribbean, but what are the risks and benefits of buying out there?

    Read More

  2. 'Shindig', a 40ft Bluewater Cruising Yacht for Sale

    Jun 04, 23 08:32 AM

    If you're looking for a unique Bluewater Cruising Yacht for sale in the Caribbean, then 'Shindig' is certainly worth a look...

    Read More

  3. Used Sailing Equipment For Sale

    Jun 04, 23 06:26 AM

    Here's where people with sailing equipment for sale advertise their stuff entirely free of charge. If you're looking for used sailing gear or other used boating accessories, here's where to find it!

    Read More