OMG!!!!!!!! I bought a Trawler!!!!!

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8AlfaActual73

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2024
Messages
18
Location
Pensacola, Florida
Hello, I would Like to introduce myself. I am Patrick and, as of 3:30 tomorrow I will be a proud owner of a 1978 40' Marine Trader. I am really excited and I am a little nervous at the same time but, for some reason everything lined up, it feels right. None the less I am nervous. So any tips, advice, encouragement, and of course some good-natured Ballbusting are welcome.
 
Welcome Kevin. If you would like to share a bit about yourself, where you intend to boat and perhaps your prior experience that is always appreciated. Good group here on the forum. One suggestion is before you post a question do a search as many topics have been extensively covered and great to start with that. But if you are not finding what you need most of us are happy to perhaps point you to a good resource. But for establishing credibility do try to review the forum first.

Also avoid asking really broad questions if possible. Providing as much background as possible will lead to much better responses.

Congrats on the new boat. What are your first projects?
 
Welcome Aboard! Have a great time with your new boat. You likely know a bit about boats, the systems may puzzle you initially. Hopefully there is a helpful broker or surveyor you can turn to in the early days. And of course, there`s always us.
 
Words of wisdom? Depends on why you're nervous - if it's because it's a big step up in size and you don't have experience (usually docking is the nerve wracking part), make sure you have plenty of large fenders. And see if you can find someone who can help you develop a practice routine. Folks often want to learn in windy conditions but in my experience, you have to develop muscle memory in dead calm conditions before practicing in more challenging conditions.

Some nervousness is natural and a good thing (I have never lost a small sense of nervousness when docking). Is yours within a healthy range or is it elevated enough to unduly affect your use and enjoyment of your new baby?

Peter
 
Welcome Kevin.

Congrats on the new boat. What are your first projects?
Oh come on Ken. It's a new boat to Patrick. Why would you burst his bubble and just assume that there are projects that need doing?

Seriously, Welcome Aboard Patrick! Lots of people here willing to help. Marine Traders are good boats, but like anything, it mainly depends on how they've been cared for over the years. Did you have a survey completed on your boat prior to purchase? And what is your boating experience?

You've gone down the rabbit hole, now advertised it to a bunch of crazy people, now you're going to have to deal with the Krakens!
 
Thank you, this is also my first time being on a forum as well, so this is going to be interesting, to say the least. I think I'll be ok I have spell check and my wife whom I call goggle, why? because she knows everything... old joke but, never gets old to me, because I like sleeping out-side.
 
Sorry Patrick. Not sure how I came up with Kevin. I cannot even blame that on spell check! Enjoy your boat and perhaps it is a unicorn (comes with zero projects).
 
Hi Patrick. Welcome to the site, and welcome to the club. We bought our Mt 36 footer Europa in the fall of 2021. It was a project boat, but we felt the same. It just felt right at the time. Fast forward to fall of 2024, we've had three fantastic years of liveaboard cruising each summer. It has been heaven for us, and I certainly hope that you get as much enjoyment from your boat as we have ours. Being an old Mt, it's going to give you your share of projects, but I hope you approach them as a hobby to keep these old classics looking great. Good luck to you.
M&H
 
Welcome, and I hope that you don't have to keep a notepad and pencil handy to note all the things that go wrong every time you get underway like I did many years ago when I bought an old boat. If got better after a couple of years, and all was well, but it was interesting there for a bit.
 
Hola Patrick and Welcome to the forum.
We too bought an older boat, a 1974. So we wish you the best and may you enjoy the entire process.
 
Congrats,

Want to buy a trawler soon and same here, quite nervous to purchase one of these older vessels. The wife even more so --- big sigh whenever I mention --- look at this boat and it is even 20 yrs old.

Recently, telling her to think of it as buying a house with a couple diesel engines.
 
Old boats, new boats, they all have issues that you will deal with. New boat is likely 2-5x the price of an old one but with a warranty may limit your unexpected expenses. Insurance is also a key aspect to consider. An old boat in good condition with ongoing maintenance and improvements can be a good deal. An old boat neglected could be a huge money pit. It all comes down to your budget, needs, wants and abilities. Most anything can be replaced or fixed but your ability to later get much of that money back at sales is probably unlikely. It just becomes an operational expense.
 
Congrats,

Want to buy a trawler soon and same here, quite nervous to purchase one of these older vessels. The wife even more so --- big sigh whenever I mention --- look at this boat and it is even 20 yrs old.

Recently, telling her to think of it as buying a house with a couple diesel engines.
20 years isn’t that old…
 
I am a proud owner of one of your cousins. A 41' President. What do you have for engine(s)?
 
Congrats,

Want to buy a trawler soon and same here, quite nervous to purchase one of these older vessels. The wife even more so --- big sigh whenever I mention --- look at this boat and it is even 20 yrs old.

Recently, telling her to think of it as buying a house with a couple diesel engines.

A lot depends on how handy you are and/or how inclined you are to do your own work. If maintenance isn't your thing, you wont have a great time. While newer boats have more bells and whistles that are newer, the volume of gizmos will keep either your tool bag or credit card exercised.

That said, trawlering is a great past time. Its great family time and a great way to travel snd explore. Truly a magic carpet.

Peter
 
Good evening, gentlemen. It has been about 2 months since my last post. The request for pictures of the troller that I bought. Where the lasted I remember so, I'm going to go ahead and post these pictures. I have many questions and to be honest with you, I have no idea what I'm doing. Thank you very much any and all. Advice would be very appreciated thank you.
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A lot depends on how handy you are and/or how inclined you are to do your own work. If maintenance isn't your thing, you wont have a great time. While newer boats have more bells and whistles that are newer, the volume of gizmos will keep either your tool bag or credit card exercised.

That said, trawlering is a great past time. Its great family time and a great way to travel snd explore. Truly a magic carpet.

Peter
Had to read this post again — quite an inspiration

and thankfully seem to be closer to a more serious vessel search this year
 
Oh, wow. I think leaving a boat uncovered among pine trees should be a capital offense.

First thing I'd do after cleaning off the debris is identify any interior leaks. Decks, windows, hatches, and just generally anywhere. They can be hard to trace, but until that's resolved it'll be hard to think about anything else.

Then it's going through every system to see what works and what needs to be repaired or replaced. Cosmetics is going to be a big part of this job, too.

You've got a lot of work ahead of you. But if you can get through it, you'll have a great boat to show for it. I had a neighbor who was renovating a very run-down house. His motivation was imagining the day it was all done and he could sit in his living room next to the fireplace and watch TV. With that boat you can dream even bigger.
 

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