CHB - Chung Hwa Boat Bldg Co. / Copper Harbor Boatworks ???

[cuda604]

Looking at purchasing a "real" trawler (as opposed to my wannabe Bayliner 'fast trawler'.

I've been looking at what the seller lists as a 1981 Cheoy Lee 35.... however, when I decode the HIN it is showing as a 1979 CHB 34 Trawler. (The HIN also appear to already be registered to a boat and that Marine Traffic shows as currently moored on the other side of the country!)

Also, different HIN decoders show different names for CHB; some show "Chung Hwa Boat Bldg Co." others show "Copper Harbor Boatworks".

Does any of this make sense to anyone?

 

[Comodave]

Is it listed with a broker or a private sale?

 

[cuda604]

private.

 

[Comodave]

Ok, that would raise some serious questions in my mind. If it was through a broker then they should have done some due diligence to make sure the boat they listed was good for sale. Since it isn’t through a broker then you have to figure out if it is worth pursuing or walk away. I would want to see all the paperwork from the CG, if documented, or the state if state registered. Even then I would still worry a bit since computers can fake paperwork. I would contact the state or CG and check with them, if they will talk to you. I think I would probably just walk since there are a lot of boats for sale. I would go for one with no questions about ownership.

 

[alormaria]

I have a Chung Hwa labeled as a Marine Trader 34. They were a Taiwanese boat builder in the 70s and 80s. They might still be around. They built boats by contract for whomever walked in the door. On the east coast Don Miller bought and sold a bunch labeled as Marine Traders. On the west coast they had different names. Check in the locker behind the lower steering station for a plaque with the builder's name. I know Marine Trading moved their production to mainland China in the late 80's. Don't know if they kept the same builder.
They are boats built to a price. Mine is almost 50 years old and still looks great. At this point maintenance is more important than name.

 

[cuda604]

Interesting..... so it could be a CHB built Cheoy Lee? Just as yours is a CHB built Marine Trader

 

[cuda604]

What about a CHB with matching Port and Stbd doors? This boat has them. I have not seen another trawler with both a Starboard door at the helm, and a matching door directly across on the port side (most appear to have only a Stbd door, and if they have a port door, it is further aft.)

 

[Captain DJ]

Interesting..... so it could be a CHB built Cheoy Lee? Just as yours is a CHB built Marine Trader

Cheoy Lee is the oldest boat builder on the planet with a great reputation. Far superior to CHB, so I seriously doubt Cheoy Lee would build a boat for CHB. Additionally, CHB is a Taiwanese company, while Cheoy Lee is based in Hong Kong (or, more recently, in Shipyard Zhuhai, China).

 

[88FuHwa]

What about a CHB with matching Port and Stbd doors? This boat has them. I have not seen another trawler with both a Starboard door at the helm, and a matching door directly across on the port side (most appear to have only a Stbd door, and if they have a port door, it is further aft.)

Our 88 FuHwa has matching doors, one at the helm and the other one directly opposite. It was sold as a 35' aft cabin Golden Star in Alameda Ca. We are the third owners. I believe this version is an upgraded CHB as it has hydraulic steering and an impressive, swept, hollow mast. The engine is a 6.354 Perkins, very quiet on Flybridge. The original dealer is still around and he told me that all of these trawlers came from the same Taiwanese builder.

 

[friz]

Looking at purchasing a "real" trawler (as opposed to my wannabe Bayliner 'fast trawler'.

I've been looking at what the seller lists as a 1981 Cheoy Lee 35.... however, when I decode the HIN it is showing as a 1979 CHB 34 Trawler. (The HIN also appear to already be registered to a boat and that Marine Traffic shows as currently moored on the other side of the country!)

Also, different HIN decoders show different names for CHB; some show "Chung Hwa Boat Bldg Co." others show "Copper Harbor Boatworks".

Does any of this make sense to anyone? Bayliner)

So start off your TF career by calling Bayliner owners "wanna be"?

 

[grahamdouglass]

Be careful what you wish for. I have a Marine Trader 41/Defever 42, and the teak maintenance does get old and tiresome and tougher with age.

 

[alormaria]

Tru dat.