Would benefit from seeing older trawlers

[Don L]

I only know trawlers from a computer screen. I think I know what I want, but it's just a guess.

I am in Jacksonville Fl. If you are in general area, 2 hour drive, and willing I would be interested in seeing your baby. Let me know if willing and I will buy lunch.

I am most likely looking at getting a 1980s 36-40'. Try not to tease me too much.

 

[slowgoesit]

We're about 4.5 hours from Jacksonville, but we can show you an '80's Kadey Krogen Manatee 36, a 1978 Mainship 34 (in need of some tender loving care), and a 1982 50' Beebe Passagemaker on our docks. Give us a shout is you're interested. The more boats you see, the better idea you will have as to what will work for you!

 

[Don L]

We're about 4.5 hours from Jacksonville, but we can show you an '80's Kadey Krogen Manatee 36, a 1978 Mainship 34 (in need of some tender loving care), and a 1982 50' Beebe Passagemaker on our docks. Give us a shout is you're interested. The more boats you see, the better idea you will have as to what will work for you!

where would that be? I am in Port Charlotte in Jan for a week

 

[slowgoesit]

Don, I sent you our address via PM. Enjoy!

 

[Moonfish]

I only know trawlers from a computer screen. I think I know what I want, but it's just a guess.

I am in Jacksonville Fl. If you are in general area, 2 hour drive, and willing I would be interested in seeing your baby. Let me know if willing and I will buy lunch.

I am most likely looking at getting a 1980s 36-40'. Try not to tease me too much.

This is really smart, Don! Great idea.

 

[sjisailor]

Besides looking for broker listings, I would suggest some of these: check out events in your area such as (some make, e.g. Tolly) owners' rendezvous, boat shows (review their list of models in advance), and maybe call a mid- or lower-priced yacht club and ask if they have suggestions. You could also walk public dock and ask folks ad hoc. Many folks are happy to show their boats.

 

[Don L]

You could also walk public dock and ask folks ad hoc. Many folks are happy to show their boats.

Thanks, a great sounding point. If only those dock/marina people would visit their boats. From my experience they don't. Just venting because as someone who USED their boat I have always been amazed at how few do.

 

[slowgoesit]

Thanks a great sounding. If only those dock/marina people would visit their boats. From my experience they don't. Just venting because as someone who USED their boat I have always been amazed at ho
w few do.

Yep, people always ask me what the best boat is. I generally reply with: "It's the one you HAVE, just get out there and USE it!

 

[O C Diver]

Don, don't know if you've gone back and looked at the below thread. You would probably be better served picking a less well known manufacturer at a bargain price that had a good reputation for quality boats of the type you desire. As an example, a Willard 40 would be a good choice depending on how it was outfitted, but there were a very few made.

1979 Schucker 436 Motorsailor for Sale

SOVEREIGNTY https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1979-schucker-436-motorsailor-9896728/Located in Charleston. $59,000 Great condition, new engine, new transmission, low hours on genset. Just finished 2,500 mile cruise from Central America. Full posting on Boat Trader David 794-533-3176

www.trawlerforum.com

Ted

 

[TJM]

I would trust and rely upon an owner to educate you on all of the good, the bad and the leaky. They have no vested interest and most REALLY know their boats.

 

[Don L]

Besides looking for broker listings, I would suggest some of these: check out events in your area such as (some make, e.g. Tolly) owners' rendezvous, boat shows (review their list of models in advance), and maybe call a mid- or lower-priced yacht club and ask if they have suggestions You could also walk public dock and ask folks ad hoc. Many folks are happy to show their boats.

Was at marina for a viewing from a Tr member, thanks Shawn.

I found the number of forgotten falling apart boats there very depressing. Assuming those owners are paying their slip bill (I wonder) they could give away the boat and be $500/mo better. Some looked to be at point that would be hard to give away.

 

[boomerang]

Was at marina for a viewing from a Tr member, thanks Shawn.

I found the number of forgotten falling apart boats there very depressing. Assuming those owners are paying their slip bill (I wonder) they could give away the boat and be $500/mo better. Some looked to be at point that would be hard to give away.

Don, don't hesitate to share what y'all didn't like about our particular boat. The information will maybe help others to point you towards a boat that checks more of your boxes. My feelings won't get hurt, I promise! This isn't our dream boat, whatever that is. It's the one that suits us best right now.
Unless ours is one of the ones that you were talking about that should be given away...then I might be a little insulted!

 

[Shrew]

Spend a few hours on yachtworld.com. Start with a broad search for trawlers. Use a wider range of years to see advances and differences. If you see a brand you like, narrow the search to that make and/or model.

That will be a good start to narrowing down what to look at in real life.

 

[Don L]

Don, don't hesitate to share what y'all didn't like about our particular boat. The information will maybe help others to point you towards a boat that checks more of your boxes. My feelings won't get hurt, I promise! This isn't our dream boat, whatever that is. It's the one that suits us best right now.
Unless ours is one of the ones that you were talking about that should be given away...then I might be a little insulted!

Am hoping for something smaller than your 42' really. But the main thing didn't like about the layout was there is hardy any salon sitting/room

 

[GPM]

Hopefully this request is still on thread topic, but how busy and effective are the Looper Crawls at actually getting on boats? We are also interested now in trawlers, but have never stepped foot on one of the older ones we think we'd like, so it's all speculation and extrapolation from pictures and videos.

I saw that there were Looper Palooza's that don't have Looper Crawls, so I assume those would be less helpful. Which boat shows might have older boats available to view?

 

[sjisailor]

Was at marina for a viewing from a Tr member, thanks Shawn.

I found the number of forgotten falling apart boats there very depressing. Assuming those owners are paying their slip bill (I wonder) they could give away the boat and be $500/mo better. Some looked to be at point that would be hard to give away.

Yes, many folks get away from their boats, have medical issues, etc., but keep the dream alive to get back. But then years may pass. Even very nice marinas may have many of these It is a big worry when they are near your boat ... OTOH a brand new, too-big boat in the hands of a newbie, with only two undersized fenders, and sketchy lines (not that I'm saying anything about a current neighbor ) is even more of a worry!

 

[Moon]

Call Dylan Houck at Cape Marina in Cape Canaveral, FL. I represent the Marina. The Marina will be closing this summer. It had several boats that were seized for outstanding bills that might be of interest to you. Kennedy Point Marina in Titusville, FL will be having the U.S. Marshals arrest a trawler on Monday, 01/05/26. Unless it bonds out it will be auctioned off in a month or two. Dylan Houck manages that marina too. If you’re in the area PM me and maybe I can show you my project boat. There are a few in my marina that might interest you. It’s a buyers market and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Happy hunting!

 

[Don L]

Call Dylan Houck at Cape Marina in Cape Canaveral, FL. I represent the Marina. The Marina will be closing this summer. It had several boats that were seized for outstanding bills that might be of interest to you. Kennedy Point Marina in Titusville, FL will be having the U.S. Marshals arrest a trawler on Monday, 01/05/26. Unless it bonds out it will be auctioned off in a month or two. Dylan Houck manages that marina too. If you’re in the area PM me and maybe I can show you my project boat. There are a few in my marina that might interest you. It’s a buyers market and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Happy hunting!

Is there list of boats? It is only 2.5 hour drive for us. I suspect any boat not worth paying its bill is a pos

 

[Comodave]

Yep, people always ask me what the best boat is. I generally reply with: "It's the one you HAVE, just get out there and USE it!

The best boat for me is the next one…

 

[Moon]

Many people buy with good intentions and then, for whatever reason, find themselves in over their heads. Not every boat that is seized is a POS. Beautiful boats get seized by banks, vendors (like mechanics) and marinas that are owed money. It's a buyer's market. Figure out what you want, what you can afford and start looking. I have bought several fixer uppers over the years for a fraction of what they were worth. Sure I had to spend money and put in sweat equity to make them seaworthy and shipshape but I enjoyed all of the projects. I don't know what the marinas have currently but it only takes a phone call to find out. Daytona and the Space Coast is fertile territory for finding bargains. Walk the docks on the weekends and speak with anyone on their boat that is willing to chat. Tell them what you are looking for and they will likely have leads too.