Endeavour 43

The Endeavour 43 comes from the first generation of sailboats from Endeavour Yachts, a yard that built its early reputation around simple, straight forward shoal draft designs with big volume accommodation and mediocre sailing performance. True to that formula, the Endeavour 43 was penned by Robert Johnson as a heavy displacement center-cockpit cruiser with large comfortable living quarters and a shoal draft optimized for Florida sailing. The boat was first introduced in 1978, offered in both ketch and cutter rig options, and had a production run that lasted to 1984.

Owners tend to rave about their comfortable well styled accommodations with healthy 6' 7" of headroom. The boat can accommodate at least 6 between its forward and aft staterooms and settee berths in the generously sized saloon. The aft stateroom is a particular favorite. Saying the boat has ample stowage is probably an understatement.

With a 33,000 pound displacement, comfortable motion is a given and the ride is very dry. Unfortunately the rest of her on-the-water capabilities do not match her dockside competencies. Windward performance is poor due to a shoal draft keel, she has enough weather helm to make self-steering a problem, and off the wind in following seas her large stern tends to get pushed around a bit.