JungleJim
Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2012
- Messages
- 18
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Lady Cherish
- Vessel Make
- 1978 CHB Heritage 39' Tricabin Trawler
My old ('78) 39' CHB Heritage Tri-Cabin Trawler-class is either going to be sold "as is" to the best offer, or will need at least $80-G in cabin upgrades, as all the wood under the fiberglass shell from the underside of the deck upward is rotten, with just the fiberglass coating over the plywood holding the cabin together. She was originally a beautiful boat, but the teak decking was stripped by the 2nd owner and a mediocre job of glassing over was done. The 3rd owner, whom I bought her from a bit over 2 years ago here in Juneau, AK, lived aboard her with his wife and 2 dogs for nearly 10 years before buying a 39' steel sailboat in Friday Harbor (San Juan Island, Washington State). I got her cheap enough, considering all the "goodies" included, but the 120 Lehman Dorset had not run in nearly 3 years with sea water in 2 cylinders. I found an exact replacement with only 300 hours since complete rebuild (owned by the Chicago Water Dept., had been used to drive an emergency standby pump, had never had salt water in the cooling system!), & have dropped the engine in but haven't connected her up yet to the fuel system or electrical, which is all being replaced. Chien Hua built some great hulls, but from what I've heard from other owners as well, short-changed on the construction of the cabins, especially in re leakage around windows & windshields, with only 1/4" of fiberglass coating over the 1/2" plywood cabin structure. Had the previous owner just taken care of the cracks properly (instead of duct-taping them... FOR FACT!), and been more cautious about not overloading the stern so that the exhaust port was partially submerged (sucked in the seawater after a "hot run" that was just shut down without closing sea cocks, etc.), this boat would be a very nice one today, as my neighbor has one nearly identical, just 2 feet shorter, and in very good condition.