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.