Hi Forum:
I have this same question on another forum, but wanted to come over here for some Trawler experets. Lot of info here, sorry for the really long first post.
I'm 39, recently separated (no kids, just pets), think I'm pretty handy and love the water. Please talk me down and give me very candid advice.
When I left house and home, I went to my 21.5' Cuddy Cabin for a month and loved it. There were many challenges, but my cuddy taught me that I love life in the harbor. I'm not that attached to many things, except my dog, bird, clothes and tools. I don't plan to do this forever; I have a plan for next year (Jan 14), but right now I really want to be in the marina. I live in Hampton Roads, Va. I'm an electricalengineer and have an enlisted propulsion plant background from USN.
Next piece of info: I just discovered I like trawlers. I've been looking at cruisers for a couple of years, before making other life changes. I started my live-aboard quest with a 2004 Amberjack 290 that I liked. The deal fell apart because of the owners and I moved on. I also hated the fuel economy. Also, the live aboard aspect didn't work for that boat at all.
So, I looked at a few "practical" options, notably a 31' Trojan and a couple of other boats advertised as live-aboards in my area. That's when it happened - I fell in love with a high maintenance woman.
She's a 1967 32' woodie Grand Banks.
1967 Grand Banks 32 Trawler Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
The romantic sailor loves everything about this boat. I think it's within my capabilities to pilot, lots of great space, fuel sipping economy. She has lots of surface cosmetic neglect, but the engine and bones look great. All the surfaces actually seem solid, in good shape and just need to be either sanded, painted, or shined. All seemingly within my capability. It has this great allure, absolutely stunningly beautiful and I seem to have an abudance of spare time on my hands at this stage of my life.
The owner and I have an accepted offer and I had a sea trial. I've found one of the toughtest marine surveyor's in the area and called him this morning to tell him I wanted to wait for 2 weeks before we do the survey (I'm a federal employee- sequestration). The sea trial impressed the hell out of me.
The survey will cost me nearly 10% of the asking price ($1088 survey, $200 haul out, pressure wash; maybe $150 for fastener removal and replacement; my time and a couple cans of bottom paint, which I've never done before)
I have a lot of wood working equipment and once enjoyed it, though I'm a novice. I love the smell of saw dust and have spare time on my hands and kinda like the idea of having small things to tinker on in the evening when I get to my new home after work. I don't want to get in over my head and someday I will move off of her and need to at least pay off the loan for her. She'll never been in covered moorage and I don't think she ever has.
Here is what I know:
limber holes fore and aft of the engine and 2 ribs aft show soft approx 1/8" depth for about 1.5" diameter near limber hole radius. Visual inspection to me looks like rot, but I don't have a clue what I'm looking at. No weaknesses noted by me in planking from inside engine room.
Underway, I wanted to do a visual inspection of planking and ribs, the engine room was full of a smoke that smelled like oil burning. Owner is listed through a broker, but we've had a few discussions. He stated he replaced the riser and may have dripped some sealant that could be burning off. I'm a little skeptical. Also, seems there should be a blower in there and maybe the surveyor will find it, but I didn'tn see it.
All of the wood topside needs "tlc" the britework broke my heart. A lot of the paint is chipped or cracked and needs to be feathered or stripped and replaced.
The engine is original Lehman 120 hp with 2300 hours.
I really love this boat. I really want to shine her up to her original glory and spend a quality year living aboard her. Then, I don't know what I'll do. There is no local place to shelter her for the winter. She'll need to stay in the water. Beyond my year of solitude, I'll still be able to care for her, lovingly, but again, at this point, I don't think I'll live on her forever.
I have this same question on another forum, but wanted to come over here for some Trawler experets. Lot of info here, sorry for the really long first post.
I'm 39, recently separated (no kids, just pets), think I'm pretty handy and love the water. Please talk me down and give me very candid advice.
When I left house and home, I went to my 21.5' Cuddy Cabin for a month and loved it. There were many challenges, but my cuddy taught me that I love life in the harbor. I'm not that attached to many things, except my dog, bird, clothes and tools. I don't plan to do this forever; I have a plan for next year (Jan 14), but right now I really want to be in the marina. I live in Hampton Roads, Va. I'm an electricalengineer and have an enlisted propulsion plant background from USN.
Next piece of info: I just discovered I like trawlers. I've been looking at cruisers for a couple of years, before making other life changes. I started my live-aboard quest with a 2004 Amberjack 290 that I liked. The deal fell apart because of the owners and I moved on. I also hated the fuel economy. Also, the live aboard aspect didn't work for that boat at all.
So, I looked at a few "practical" options, notably a 31' Trojan and a couple of other boats advertised as live-aboards in my area. That's when it happened - I fell in love with a high maintenance woman.
She's a 1967 32' woodie Grand Banks.
1967 Grand Banks 32 Trawler Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
The romantic sailor loves everything about this boat. I think it's within my capabilities to pilot, lots of great space, fuel sipping economy. She has lots of surface cosmetic neglect, but the engine and bones look great. All the surfaces actually seem solid, in good shape and just need to be either sanded, painted, or shined. All seemingly within my capability. It has this great allure, absolutely stunningly beautiful and I seem to have an abudance of spare time on my hands at this stage of my life.
The owner and I have an accepted offer and I had a sea trial. I've found one of the toughtest marine surveyor's in the area and called him this morning to tell him I wanted to wait for 2 weeks before we do the survey (I'm a federal employee- sequestration). The sea trial impressed the hell out of me.
The survey will cost me nearly 10% of the asking price ($1088 survey, $200 haul out, pressure wash; maybe $150 for fastener removal and replacement; my time and a couple cans of bottom paint, which I've never done before)
I have a lot of wood working equipment and once enjoyed it, though I'm a novice. I love the smell of saw dust and have spare time on my hands and kinda like the idea of having small things to tinker on in the evening when I get to my new home after work. I don't want to get in over my head and someday I will move off of her and need to at least pay off the loan for her. She'll never been in covered moorage and I don't think she ever has.
Here is what I know:
limber holes fore and aft of the engine and 2 ribs aft show soft approx 1/8" depth for about 1.5" diameter near limber hole radius. Visual inspection to me looks like rot, but I don't have a clue what I'm looking at. No weaknesses noted by me in planking from inside engine room.
Underway, I wanted to do a visual inspection of planking and ribs, the engine room was full of a smoke that smelled like oil burning. Owner is listed through a broker, but we've had a few discussions. He stated he replaced the riser and may have dripped some sealant that could be burning off. I'm a little skeptical. Also, seems there should be a blower in there and maybe the surveyor will find it, but I didn'tn see it.
All of the wood topside needs "tlc" the britework broke my heart. A lot of the paint is chipped or cracked and needs to be feathered or stripped and replaced.
The engine is original Lehman 120 hp with 2300 hours.
I really love this boat. I really want to shine her up to her original glory and spend a quality year living aboard her. Then, I don't know what I'll do. There is no local place to shelter her for the winter. She'll need to stay in the water. Beyond my year of solitude, I'll still be able to care for her, lovingly, but again, at this point, I don't think I'll live on her forever.
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