1983 DEFEVER 41 TRAWLER-- Opinion?

[ty.gregory]

Looking at a 1983 DeFever Trawler and hoping for some feedback as to problems /strengths with this particular model. It will be a live-aboard
and will be cruised in the Caribbean as well as ICW.

Perkins
Year Built: 1983
Engine Model: 6.3544M
Engine Hours: 3500ish
Engine Power: 135

Any comments most appreciated!

Cheers,
Ty

[neilpride]

Some years ago i fix a full blisters Grand Banks and in the same yard we see a defever with the same problem, so a 1983 is one thing to consider if the boat dont have a previous treatment about osmosis and blisters.
Maybe not....

[ty.gregory]

Thank you, neilpride. Blisters may well be a problem with all older or even not so old FG boats. It is something to look into!

[brutb]

Ty,
From experience in the PNW another thing to look at is the cabin side walls where windows are inset. A leak around the windows can lead to massive wood rot of the the cabin side walls. Hopefully the boat you are looking at was well maintained and stored under cover. Your engine if maintained should be good for at least another 1500 hrs if it is anything like my old 356. Good luck on your inspection and hopefully purchase. Oh, another place to look is the anchor windlass deck area and sampson post for possible dry rot.

[ranger58sb]

Ty, if you haven't already, you might look for some info over on trawlerforum.com (sister site).

-Chris

[defever]

We have live aboard our 83 defever 41 for 20 years, put 7k hrs on it (currently has 8k hrs) traveled from canada to guatemala and loved every minute of it..It's a great boat, builtlike a tank and handles rough seas like a dream at 7 kts (1800 rpm)..we change oil filters racors at 100 hrs m we have never rebuilt the engine and don't expect to for anoth err 8k hrs..sure, we've replace things but nothing major (except that horrible onan gen set)..we have 2 small blisters at the waterline and that's that..now, gotta go knock on some wood..get a survey and if it looks good buy the boat..you'll not regret it..

[reefhunter]

Defever: 8000 hrs on a diesel - only if it's naturally aspirated. Turbo charged engines were designed for o/h @ 3000-4000 hrs. I've done many of them. Current 16cyl Detroit naturals in my tug have over 12500 hrs on them and the gensets well over twice that without rebuilds.

[sealubber]

Might I ask what the asking price for the vessel is.?