PT-38

[Craig_B]

Looking at purchasing a 1980 PT-38
Not familiar with theses boats in any way.
Not even sure who manufactures these boats

It has a Leham engine with 9000 hours on it.

Can anybody tell me what I should be looking out for.
Its right in my price range of 30,000 and looks like the type of boat we have been looking for

thanks in advance

Craig

[ranger58sb]

Might be some folks on trawlerforum.com (sister site) who can answer...

-Chris

[Craig_B]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Might be some folks on trawlerforum.com (sister site) who can answer...

-Chris

Thanks for the advise.
Just joined.

[BlueH2Obound]

Might want to price a rebuild for the Ford Lehman. 9000 hours, if never rebuilt is geriatric age . . .

[Craig_B]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

Might want to price a rebuild for the Ford Lehman. 9000 hours, if never rebuilt is geriatric age . . .

I was wrong on the engine hours.
Its actually 7500
I suppose that's still high?


Thanks

[BlueH2Obound]

Originally Posted by Craig_B

I was wrong on the engine hours.
Its actually 7500
I suppose that's still high?


Thanks

Still pretty high in my book. I'm not an expert, I would recommend you contact Brian Smith at American Diesel Corporation. His father was on the team the originally marinized the Ford Lehman. He's pretty much considered the final word on Lehman engines. Google for his contact info. An awful lot will depend on how the engines were maintained, which is always the case, but even more important with that number of hours.

[mickand]

I have a 1982 Cheer Men PT41, manufactured in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. (In my case, PT stand for Performance Trawler but it can't get out of it's own way, so it's a bit of a misnomer) If your intended looks like this, let me know and I'll give you the lowdown.

[Craig_B]

Originally Posted by mickand

I have a 1982 Cheer Men PT41, manufactured in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. (In my case, PT stand for Performance Trawler but it can't get out of it's own way, so it's a bit of a misnomer) If your intended looks like this, let me know and I'll give you the lowdown.

Yes that looks similar.
Appreciate any info you can pass along.
Currently my biggest concern is the engine hours of 7500.
Some sources say run away other say that many hours on those Lehman engines is just fine.


thanks.

[mickand]

Your biggest potential problem may be the fuel tanks. When built they used steel and the tops can rust out due to leaking fill glands or the bottoms can rust out due to water in the fuel. Water is heavier than diesel so if present will lay on the bottom.
If you're really lucky, the tanks may already have been replaced, but if not they warrant close inspection beforte purchase..
My tanks are original and appear to be in good shape - looked inside one of them this year with a videoscope and it looked good but hard to tell 100%.
The Lehman engine, probably a 2715E, 1210hp, could last for 20,000hrs if properly cared for. One of mine has done over 6000hrs and my regular oil analysis always comes back with no issues - so far.
The hull will be solid glass, with fiberglass covered decks and house. Again it depends how it's been cared for, but my boat has no issues.
Let me know if you have further questions.

[mickand]

Meant to say fiberglass covered plywood decks and house.

[HawkIsland]

Originally Posted by mickand

I have a 1982 Cheer Men PT41, manufactured in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. (In my case, PT stand for Performance Trawler but it can't get out of it's own way, so it's a bit of a misnomer) If your intended looks like this, let me know and I'll give you the lowdown.

Hey Mickand, I am trying to research a 1978 38' PT Cheermen Europa, and found your thread here. Can you please give ME your thoughts on this boat? The one I'm looking at seems to be exactly the same as yours. This has a single, 120 HP Lehman, (hour meter stopped at 2,100 ish hrs unfortunately), 4th owner, has owned it 24 yrs, boathouse kept, in fresh water.

Fuel was polished two yrs ago (so maybe they inspected the tanks too, don't know). Tranny was rebuilt 2010. Bow AND stern thrusters. Diesel heater. Autopilot. Decent navigation equipment both helms. RIB and 8hp 2 stroke on hydro davits. He's asking $62,000.

We'll tour it on 7/21/2024. Craigslist pics seem to show it's in decent condition FYI and would love to know what to watch out for. THANKS!

[mickand]

Apologies - this went into my spam.
At least 4 different companies used the molds - Litton, Tiger Marine, Cheer Men and even Marine Trader. Hull was designed by Ed Monk - it rides well and 'dry'.
It's solid fiberglass with composite decks - mine is encapsulated plywood.
I've had few complaints and have done over 50,000 miles since 2015.
I wouldn't worry about not knowing the actual engine hours. I've done over 8000hrs on mine to a total over 10,000hrs.
I would recommend engaging a qualified engine surveyor just in case - with oil sampling of engine and transmission.
There are no real pointers I can give you. It's not quite Grand Banks quality but it's good enough.
If there's anything specific I can address. let me know.

Mick Anderson

[mickand]

Quick thought - mine has the original steel tanks, which still seem to be in good shape.
If this one has steel tanks, either closely inspect yourself or get the surveyor to focus closely on them.
Most steel tanks rust out on the top - where the deck fills leak and over time rot out the tank tops.

[HawkIsland]

THANKS! All good info. Yes, this has the original steel tanks, which are surely at their life's end and scare me. I'll probably pass on the boat after further research show's a lot of concerns about it

[mickand]

I'd be very interested to learn of what the faults are.
Can you list them.