Custom Trawler

[Wtrguy]

There's a custom 40' trawler for sale on Yachtworld that two guys started building in 2001. Vessel was commissioned in 2019. Now 6 years later it's being sold for what seems like a very low price considering the low hours and proper outfitting. As I have no experience with "custom" vessels, this seems too good to be true. I would expect a survey to turn up any structural issues but...
Am I wrong to be extremely nervous about buying a trawler that a couple of guys built in their spare time?

 

[Bmarler]

Short answer is yes, be very nervous.

 

[Bmarler]

Long answer is, maybe. Do some research. Find out the history, who the designer was, etc…
A discussion with a naval architect wouldn’t be bad either.

 

[Comodave]

If it was built by the 2 guys then be very nervous. You don’t know how much experience they have with boat building. Could be very good or could be the worse POS ever.

 

[mvweebles]

Just know that selling a custom boat often takes a very long time - measured in years, not months. This alone can make them an unattractive experience.

In my opinion, cheapest boat to own is one with a following. Pay a premium upfront, get it back on the way out.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Peter

 

[Wtrguy]

Thanks to all for the information. Builders were allegedly an engineer and his boat tech brother. Seems odd to spend so much time building your dream just to sell it so soon. I realize life happens so maybe plans just changed. The resale issue seems reason enough to move on as well.
Thanks again.

 

[Snapdragon III]

That thing looks super well built to me. If you like the layout, I would go check it out. You don't have to offer the asking price.

I have owned a couple custom boats. They had plenty of problems as all boats do, but they were both built way better than the vast majority of factory made boats. They were once in a lifetime dream projects that the original builders put their heart and soul into, and likely emptied their bank accounts.

 

[Bmarler]

I looked but didn’t see it. Got a link?

 

[Wtrguy]

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2019-trawler-custom-9268479/

 

[KnotYet]

The price seems about right.
I would make certain that the engine is compliant with the paperwork's build date.

 

[Comodave]

Keep in mind that it may be tough to sell down the road.

 

[klee wyck]

Thanks to all for the information. Builders were allegedly an engineer and his boat tech brother. Seems odd to spend so much time building your dream just to sell it so soon. I realize life happens so maybe plans just changed. The resale issue seems reason enough to move on as well.
Thanks again.

I gotta hand it to these guys for what appears to be first class fit and finish for a home build. Lots to like about her for sure.
But... when I compare her above water profile with her underwater profile my radar goes off. Lots of boat above water and not much below water. Only 20000# of total weight and most of that above the waterline I expect. I would withhold judgement until a serious sea trail with some three+ footers assured me that she won't roll your guts out. I suspect there could be trouble once outside the bay in terms of comfort. That could explain why 18 years of their life in this boat build resulted in only 236 hours of underway time after splash before a sale?

 

[Bmarler]

Thanks for the link. It’s obvious that those guys know what they’re doing. I wonder where the mold for the hull came from, and who penned the design.
The boat looks like new, so the price is very attractive for the condition. What would a factory built 40 foot pilothouse trawler cost? Easily five times that.
If seriously thinking about it, get a hold of a local naval architect. In fact, a quick call to nordlund boats might hook you up to Tim Nolan. Have a discussion.

 

[Moonfish]

Looks like she could be a wonderful cruising vessel for the PNW. But I agree with Bmarler, what mold did they purchase and who was the designer/naval architect?

As far as custom boats go, I owned one. S/V Rukh, a William Garden designed Gulf 40 sailboat. Awesome boat! Overbuilt with many beautiful craftsman touches on the interior. When I did begrudgingly sell her (divorce!), the buyer's surveyor literally thanked me as he thoroughly enjoyed inspecting "a properly built boat", also alluding to all the factory-built boats he typically surveyed.

After my experience owning that boat, I would never shy away from buying another custom-built boat, as long as it was designed/engineered/built right! Also, I tend to own my boats for a while, so there's not as much consideration to the resale value. The right person will always come along at the right price.

 

[DDW]

I would not shy away just because of the build - but would do a very thorough survey. One reservation I have is engine access, which looks very limited.

 

[Wtrguy]

The longer I look the less appealing this boat is. By all appearances it looks like a proper vessel for coastal cruising yet lacks some of the amenities we would like to have for longer range travel. It was the price that grabbed my attention!
Thanks again for all the input.

 

[ancora]

Thanks for the link. It’s obvious that those guys know what they’re doing. I wonder where the mold for the hull came from, and who penned the design.
The boat looks like new, so the price is very attractive for the condition. What would a factory built 40 foot pilothouse trawler cost? Easily five times that.
If seriously thinking about it, get a hold of a local naval architect. In fact, a quick call to nordlund boats might hook you up to Tim Nolan. Have a discussion.

Some years ago, Albin sent some defective hulls to the landfill...they never got there.

 

[Nick14]

Some years ago, Albin sent some defective hulls to the landfill...they never got there.

Seriously!? That sounds like it would be a very interesting story!

 

[ancora]

The hulls were completed with glass over wood houses, and sold under obscure brand names. I saw one that was for sale. The seller stated that the running gear had just been sandblasted (?), as it was near by I took a look see. It did have the usual teak carved doors and cabinetry, but the house had serious delamination problems. One engine was not working and the running gear was already rusted up, including the deck hardware. I'm thinking somehow these hulls got into the hands of Taiwanese gangsters who finished them up on the cheap and sold them to unscrupulous dealers, to be sold to unwary buyers.

 

[Nick14]

The hulls were completed with glass over wood houses, and sold under obscure brand names. I saw one that was for sale. The seller stated that the running gear had just been sandblasted (?), as it was near by I took a look see. It did have the usual teak carved doors and cabinetry, but the house had serious delamination problems. One engine was not working and the running gear was already rusted up, including the deck hardware. I'm thinking somehow these hulls got into the hands of Taiwanese gangsters who finished them up on the cheap and sold them to unscrupulous dealers, to be sold to unwary buyers.

Thanks! What an interesting story! Do you happen to know the brand names those boats were sold under?

 

[ancora]

Thanks! What an interesting story! Do you happen to know the brand names those boats were sold under?

As I recall the names were nautical but dissimilar from known brands.

 

[lwarden]

Seems like a lot of boat for the money, something is wrong there. I agree with the comments about it looking "tippy". The hull form looks to have been made for planing, with minimal draft, lifting strakes and trim tabs, but the 300hp engine isn't going to get that on plane. Doubt it would plane well with twice that hp.
My guess was the hull mold was intended for a completely different application and the large and top heavy superstructure was home brewed and is a mismatch.
Too bad since it's a really nice looking boat and the interior was well done.

 

[bumpkin]

Sounds like you are moving on. However should you decide to revisit the boat, ask where the mold for the hull came from. This might give you a better idea of its seaworthiness.

 

[Comodave]

In casually looking at some of the photos I see some things that concern me. Some large cables obviously over several feet long not secured, some are some aren’t. Some electrical cables up against the diamond plate deck without any chaffing protection. Hoses run in a mess, why not run them orderly, you spent 19 years building it why not take a couple of extra hours and run the hoses orderly? Maybe nit picking but these things would bug the crap out of me. The 2 plastic tanks look like the only thing holding them in place are 2 small straps. They are quite tall and when full they would be a lot to hold in place with 2 small straps. Why not put some structure to hold them in place? Makes me wonder how the construction is where you can’t see… I literally took about 4 minutes to find these items, I could spend more time and likely find other items.

 

[O C Diver]

As others have mentioned:

I see that boat as an inland boat, or at best, a very near coastal cruiser on nice days. Too high a center of gravity.

It's the wrong hull for displacement or the wrong engine for planing. I have seen this several times where an engine is installed in the hopes of getting it over the bow wave and up on plane. Unfortunately the engine lacks the HP with full tanks and people's necessities onboard. The net result is a slightly faster displacement cruise with a huge fuel consumption penalty. In displacement the hull should cruise around 7 knots at 2 GPH with a 100ish HP engine. I wouldn't be surprised if the owners decided to sell it because it wouldn't reliably plane. Some of the pictures show the bow with a "bone in it's teeth" (it's plowing, pushing water). It takes a lot of energy (diesel fuel) to make water stand up. If that's how it cruises, fuel efficiency will be poor.

Don't know how easy it would be to work on the engine in that cramped space. Hope the floor above the engine is a hatch that opens to the stern or bow.

The generator appears to be in a box above deck. I would be curious how the compartment is ventilated to avoid overheating the electrical end of the generator. Maybe you have to leave the door open when running it. Also, how easily is it removed when you have to access parts on the other side or work on the top of the engine.

Fit and finish look very good. IMO, too much stuff packed in the engine room.

Edit: on reviewing the details, it's claimed that the boat cruises at 12 knots. Probably very telling that there are no pictures of the boat on plane and it has substantial trim tabs.

Ted

 

[Wtrguy]

Thanks to all for the input and advise. The knowledge base on this site is truly amazing.

As many of you have pointed out, this could be a great boat for someone. I just don't think it has all that we're looking for. Tall, tippy fuel tanks worry me. (and they're small) An engine that sat around that long before being commissioned worries me, as well as other items. It seems that there's an abundant enough supply of proper vessels out there with known designs and proven construction techniques to be taking a chance on one that is questionable or at the very least, unknown. I'm at a point in my life where time and money are finite and wasting one has the potential to rob me of the other.

Thanks again,

Kevin

 

[O C Diver]

Tall, tippy fuel tanks worry me. (and they're small)

Good catch on the tank capacities! While the fuel tanks would be small if on plane, water and waste limit the nights at anchor.

Ted