34ft Marine Trader Trawler

[St. Marks Place]

Continuing with my purchase of the 34ft Marine Trader we have discovered that the trawler used concrete as ballast. Is this a problem? I understand that the concrete, once wet, will retain water, expand during the winter storage and cause damage. A boat that we looked at, installed a drain plug to help the situation.


Do all 34ft or 36ft. trawlers build during the 80's use concrete as ballast?


Thanks for all of your help


Joe

 

[Dave_E]

Hi There,


If the boat was made in Taiwan, there is a good chance it is concrete, chain, scrap building materials etc.. Not kidding. My 1977 trawler has a concrete filled keel, however my boat stays in the water year round. I have no drain, and water will seep out of the cutlass housing for days when on the hard. As long as the water doesn't get into the boat... it is what it is. You really need to hear from folks who store their Trawlers on the hard in the northern regions with regards to freezing and any hull damage.


Dave