Panhandler
Senior Member
There's an interesting (cheap) 1983 35' Chien Hwa on eBay with no reserve and currently at $940 just a 100 or so miles from me (link is below). While I'm not considering it, I am interested from a purely educational standpoint as to what it might take to get this thing running as my wife and I continue to look and learn. Yes, I realize it's pure speculation and there is no way to know for sure.
Clearly the boat needs engine work, worst case rebuilt engine at ~$10k?
Windows show water damage, so replace or reseat most/all of the windows and repair interior water damage. Is there the possibility of black mold or serious damage throughout the boat?
I'm assuming that soft decks are likely, so perhaps most of the deck would need to be cut, re-cored, and then glassed. Either lots of owner time or ~$10-15k for a professional?
No serviceable electronics it appears. Assume heads are shot as well? What are the chances of the electrical system functioning more or less correctly?
Would fuel tanks be another concern?
Are there concerns with the hull, such as blistering? What about the transmission and running gear? More areas for concern I'm assuming.
And then there would be all the cosmetic work...
My conclusion is that paying any amount of money for this boat is probably a losing proposition. Because the seller won't allow a potential buyer to see the boat first, it's impossible to know exactly whats wrong and what's wrong could far exceed the cost of buying a similar boat in acceptable condition. Am I likely correct in my line of thinking?
Or could you buy it, leave it at the marina for the $150 a month, assess it, and if it's too much work just sell it locally for someone who never wants to run it, just live on it?
Thanks for playing along and helping educate me!
1983 Chien Hwa Trawler 35' Perkins 6 3544 Series Diesel MS No Fees No Reserve | eBay
Clearly the boat needs engine work, worst case rebuilt engine at ~$10k?
Windows show water damage, so replace or reseat most/all of the windows and repair interior water damage. Is there the possibility of black mold or serious damage throughout the boat?
I'm assuming that soft decks are likely, so perhaps most of the deck would need to be cut, re-cored, and then glassed. Either lots of owner time or ~$10-15k for a professional?
No serviceable electronics it appears. Assume heads are shot as well? What are the chances of the electrical system functioning more or less correctly?
Would fuel tanks be another concern?
Are there concerns with the hull, such as blistering? What about the transmission and running gear? More areas for concern I'm assuming.
And then there would be all the cosmetic work...
My conclusion is that paying any amount of money for this boat is probably a losing proposition. Because the seller won't allow a potential buyer to see the boat first, it's impossible to know exactly whats wrong and what's wrong could far exceed the cost of buying a similar boat in acceptable condition. Am I likely correct in my line of thinking?
Or could you buy it, leave it at the marina for the $150 a month, assess it, and if it's too much work just sell it locally for someone who never wants to run it, just live on it?
Thanks for playing along and helping educate me!
1983 Chien Hwa Trawler 35' Perkins 6 3544 Series Diesel MS No Fees No Reserve | eBay