Need advice regarding a trawler

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

I really don't wish to offend, but you apparently need someone to be really blunt with you...

Two forums, multiple threads, and two or three dozen responses that all say the same thing should be considered a "clue".

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/...ase-58753.html

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

Two forums, multiple threads, and two or three dozen responses that all say the same thing should be considered a "clue".

You'd think, wouldn't you?

[Left Coaster]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

Two forums, multiple threads, and two or three dozen responses that all say the same thing should be considered a "clue".

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/...ase-58753.html

Perhaps the OP is just waiting for someone who agrees with the decision he/she's already made to buy the boat.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Moretolife

I’m trying to see if, at the end of the day, I’ll be left with a bottomless hole in my pocket and a beautiful boat I won’t be able to use much, except of working on it…

With this boat you will be STARTING OFF with a bottomless hole in your pocket and the continuous working-on-it-and-never-using-it will directly follow.

Will you please just listen to us and
WALK AWAY.

NOT this boat!
LW77

[Hesti]

Refurbishment of old boats is possible. But at a price.

Still in the process on our early 1990 sailing boat, the investment on top of the relatively low purchasing price is now somewhere around 100 % of what the boat cost new in the early 1990s or around 20 % of what a similar sized boat would cost brand new today. And although the boat is technically approaching fair to good condition now, there is still a lot to do, if done perfectly and by a boatyard, around another 10 % of what a comparable boat would cost new today ...

Ok, most was done by boatyards etc. for time reasons. If you have time at your hand, you can convert some of the money into own time and sweat.

So - if you buy a cheap boat with some neglect but no complete catastrophe, 30 % of what a comparable boat would cost brand new today is a starting point for budgeting the needed investment.

If it is bad, it may need more than 50 % of what a comparable boat would cost brand new.

If it is very bad, the sky is the limit.

There may still be reasons to buy it, non rational ones, some of the old boats are real beauties, but you will likely need serious money.

Last question: Is the seller the actual and sole owner of the boat and can he at least provide proof on that point? As others have pointed out, he is not operating very trustworthy, has cut corners which should not be cut (no thirdparty insurance), worst case would be, that you find out after handing your money over, that he is not the sole owner of the barky. It can even be worse, if you find out after having invested into refurbishment.

[landsend]

Yes, absolutely buy the boat. You will have a wonderful time.


Now move along now folks, there's nothing to see here except a clueless troll.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by landsend

Yes, absolutely buy the boat. You will have a wonderful time.

Now move along now folks, there's nothing to see here except a clueless troll.

Hilarious, Land'sEnd.

But a little adjustment in your perspective: being clueless doesn't make him a troll...

Fair winds, All,
LittleWing77

[DeValency]

Here is an easy way for you to evaluate the case.

You will most definitely have to spend at least $100K on this boat over the first two years of ownership - especially as you are not experienced. That’s at least $170K - I don’t know many 50 years old 42’ trawlers that worth this price even if well maintained and upgraded over all the years.

Apart from that - the owner’s strange disclosure on documents.

So first run. Second take good seamanship and skipper courses - this would take at least a year and you’’ll be much smarter on boats at that time. This is the only order of being a boater or sailor.

Best of luck

[Left Coaster]

Coming soon in this thread . . .

"Newbie here. Well, I bought that 1970 in "original condition" 42' trawler. Found about 55 gallons of the original diesel in the place where the motors are. I'm not sure what you call that. So, is it normal to have that much diesel sloshing around and can I just put it back in the tank with a bucket?

The guy (who used to keep his boat next to me, until he moved it to another dock) told me that the original fuel tanks need to be replaced. He said, I need to cut open the floor in the living room (not sure that's what he called it) to remove them. Well, I don't want to cut up the floor. Instead, do you think I can just cut an opening in the bottom of the boat and remove the tanks that way? I'm trying to save the wood floor.

The guy, who said that the fuel tanks need to be replaced, also said that my stringers are broken, whatever than means. Does West Marine sell stringers? Do they come on rolls like other string? How much do you think I need?

I've been watching all these people on youtube cruising around the world and it's exciting to know that I'll be one of them in about a month. Has anyone here ever cruised from Miami to Tonga? When leaving Miami, do I turn right, left, go straight or because I'm a newbie, should I just hug the coast all the way until I get there? Thanks for all your help."

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by Left Coaster

Coming soon in this thread . . .

You're joking right? Where was that posted?

[Clivevon]

Please. There is no such thing as a cheap boat.

There are only:
expensive new or nearly new boats that will not cost too much each year to maintain for a while.
OR
there are inexpensive old boats that will cost a fortune for an initial refit & a huge amount each year to gradually renew everything else.

Both these types of boats are rapidly depreciating assets.

Have I missed anything?

[Clivevon]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

You're joking right? Where was that posted?

Yeah, I think he was joking. Good, though..

[Left Coaster]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

You're joking right? Where was that posted?

Yes, I was definitely joking.

[Captain Richard]

Originally Posted by Moretolife

Hi there, I found a 1970 trawler, 42’ fiberglass, 2 twin diesel, has no insurance on it, didn’t have any upgrades in anything, all original, no enclosures , no gen, no dinghy, looks in good shape, the hull looks good, seller says the engines were just inspected and are good, have over 5400 hours on them, have no survey to show, refuse to show me the recent mechanic report (say he’ll do it only after offer).
He wants $70k for that.
I’m newbie in boats, is this a good price or too high?
Thank you

If the seller is ligit, he should not be concerned about having things above board.

There seem to be a lot of boats on the market that have defects and should not be on the market asking the price that they are.

My only words are to take your time and figure out the right boat and then find the best one on the market that you can afford.

Accept nothing less since once bought it is yours . . . .

[CoryW]

I'm an insurance broker specializing in boats. If you plan on getting full coverage insurance a survey will be required, and it will need to be perfect with very few recommendations. So, If the seller is holding back information it would be a great reason to RUN ��